Publishing – University Library Erlangen-Nürnberg

Does research data management mean that anyone can access my data without restrictions? If so, how can I ensure that my data is not analyzed before I want it to be?

Ulrike Riedlberger — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:13:56 +0000

You decide who has access to your data, and you can control this through licenses. Generally, you can publish your data with a delay, known as an embargo, or publish only the metadata.
Please keep in mind the specific conditions and policies of your funders and publishers.

Under which licence conditions can I publish my data?

Nora Strauß — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:10:22 +0000

Depending on where your data is stored (for example, in a repository or data journal) and your goals, different licensing models are available.

The most widely used models right now are Creative Commons and Open Data Commons.
For specific recommendations, please contact Petra Heermann, the library’s contact person for legal issues.

When should I refrain from publishing my research data?

Ulrike Riedlberger — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:07:05 +0000

There are legitimate reasons not to publish your data and grant the general public access to it:

If you want to apply for a patent.
In case your data contains confidential or personal information (for example, from questionnaires or interviews) that could not be anonymized, and/or you do not have written consent from your participants to publish this sensitive information.
If your research is funded by a commercial sponsor who did not agree to publication.

What are the professional options for publishing research software?

Isabelle Delker — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:02:51 +0000

Using a software repository (see http://software.ac.uk/resources/guides/choosing-repository-your-software-project). GitHub is often used for this purpose. You can also connect DOIs to versions of your software on Github and Zenodo. This makes identification and citation easier.
Publish in a software journal (see http://software.ac.uk/resources/guides/which-journals-should-i-publish-my-software)
Small programs consisting of only a few lines of code can be added to your research data as a text file.

Where can I publish research data under the open access model?

Nora Strauß — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:12:12 +0000

Videos, tables and ZIP files up to a maximum of 60 MB in size can be published using the open access model in OPEN FAU. The corresponding publication must also be made available in OPEN FAU.

For research data which must meet more strict requirements in terms of memory, documentation or compliance with research funding organisations’ requirements, we recommend ZENODO (http://zenodo.org/about).

How and where can I publish my own open access journal?

Isabelle Delker — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:07:33 +0000

There are several possible approaches if you have an idea for a new journal. If the open access journal is to be published by a large special interest publisher you should contact the publisher’s programme planning department. Check in the publisher’s programme or the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) beforehand whether the publisher publishes purely open access journals.

At Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) you can also publish series through FAU University Press or publish them digitally via the University’s open access repository OPEN FAU. The staff at FAU University Press and OPEN FAU are happy to help.

If you would like to set up an independent open access journal with researchers at other institutions and publish it yourself, we recommend the open source software Open Journal Systems.

What are the rejection rates for open-access journals?

Ulrike Riedlberger — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:02:00 +0000

BioMed Central: approx. 40%, PLOS: approx. 50%

Which editing system is best for publishing open-access e-books?

Nora Strauß — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:54:32 +0000

The free open source software Open Monograph Press (OMP) assists with each stage of the process of producing open access books and book series. OMP was developed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and published under a GNU General Public License.

The software’s functions include external reviews, proof-reading, layout/production, and management of catalogues and book series. In addition to the local installation and administration, you can also have the software hosted for a fee (from USD 1500 per year plus additional fees of USD 125–175 for each published book as of 1 July 2015).

Which editing system would be best for publishing my open-access journal?

Nora Strauß — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:46:48 +0000

The free open source software Open Journal Systems (OJS) assists with each stage of the process of producing open access journals. OJS was developed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and published under a GNU General Public License.

The software allows you to manage rights, choose layout options and set different roles (reader, author, editor, proof-reader, web designer, reviewer), and has an OAI-PMH interface to distribute article metadata in search engines and (library) catalogues. In addition to the local installation and administration, you can also have your journal hosted for a fee (from USD 850 per journal title and year as of 1 July 2015).

Which publishers are considered predatory publishers?

Isabelle Delker — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:43:48 +0000

See https://ub.fau.de/en/research/open-access/predatory-open-access-publishers/