Early studies on the costs and economic benefits of journal business models considered only the costs incurred in publishing traditional journals made available for purchase on a subscription or licensing business model. Later studies also covered the cost of making research articles available in open access journals. More recent studies have taken a broader perspective, looking at the position of journal publishers in the market and their business models.
This briefing paper also looks at the outcomes of the broadly cited RIN study and the various Knowledge Exchange national studies on the Costs and Benefits of Open Access, performed by John Houghton.
All links provided in footnotes in this Briefing Paper are to studies available in open access.