Neurosurgical Publication-Should We Publish at Any Cost? An In-Depth Analysis of Costs Incurred in Publication

World Neurosurg. 2022 Jul:163:e549-e558. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.04.021. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Abstract

Objective: With the recent paradigm shift in neurosurgical publications, open access (OA) publishing is burgeoning along with traditional publishing methods. We aimed to explore costs of publication across 53 journals.

Methods: We identified 53 journals publishing neurosurgical work. Journal type, submission and open access charges, color print fees, impact indicators, publisher, and subscription prices were obtained from journal and publisher websites. Costs were unified in U.S. dollars. Mean prices per journal were used to equilibrate membership and subscription discounts. Correlations were performed using Spearman ρ (P < 0.05).

Results: Of 53 journals, 12 were OA only, 40 were hybrid, and 1 was traditional. Submission costs were provided by 22 and 43 journals, respectively, by the end of phase 1 and 2 (prices always for phase 2: 26 free of charge, 4 <$500, and 1 <$1000). Median OA charge was $3286 (49 journals; range, $0-$7827). Of 53 journals, 36 did not list print fees for color figures (29 in phase 2). Median fee estimate per figure was $422 (range, $25-$1060). Median personal subscription for 1 year was $344 (range, $60-$1158; 48 journals). Median institutional subscription for 1 year was $2082 (range, $38-$5510; 34 journals). There was a mild positive correlation between Journal Impact Factor and OA fees (ρ = 0.287, P = 0.046).

Conclusions: The lack of easily accessible information about neurosurgical publications, such as submission costs or OA charges, creates an unnecessary hurdle and should be remedied. Publishing in neurosurgery should be a positive learning experience, and cost should not be a limiting factor.

Keywords: Cost; Journal; Neurosurgery; Publication.

MeSH terms

  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Humans
  • Journal Impact Factor
  • Neurosurgery*
  • Periodicals as Topic*
  • Publishing* / economics