Open Access to Criminal Justice Scholarship: A Matter of Social Justice

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Matthew B. Robinson Ph.D., Professor (Creator)
Allan G. Scherlen, Professor and Social Sciences Librarian (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: The paper argues that criminal justice scholarship disseminated through the traditional journal subscription model is not consistent with social justice. Adoption of "open access" principles in publishing benefits both authors and readers through broader and more egalitarian dissemination of criminal justice literature. Moreover, when viewed in light of social justice theory, open access is a more just method of scholarly communication. After providing a brief outline of the history and basic aspects of open access, the paper uses the framework of the social justice theories of John Rawls and David Miller to argue why open access is more just than traditional subscription models of publishing and why criminal justice scholars and their associations must consider the importance of supporting open access initiatives and promoting the dissemination of scholarship as widely as possible if they are concerned about attaining justice for criminal justice scholarly literature.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Criminal Justice Education, Volume 19, Issue 1 March 2008, pages 54 - 74
Language: English
Date: 2008
Keywords
open access, justice, scholarly communication, criminal justice

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