Open Plus Books: Evolving knowledge for research communities

Open Plus Books enables authors or book editors to publish a book open access first on the open research platform within just a few days of submission. Each chapter is a standalone piece, enabling chapters to be published as soon as they are accepted, and additional chapters to be added at any time. Chapters can be updated, revised, and amended individually by the author to reflect changes in research, knowledge, policy, legislation, or standards.

Chapters have the same benefits and transparency as research articles and other content published on the open research publishing platform: rapid publication, open data, and an individual unique identifier (DOI). Authors can also choose post-publication invited open peer review via the Open Plus Books+ option.

Where available, chapters usually include underlying data and interactive figures, enabling visualization, interaction, reanalysis, replication, and reuse. This reduces barriers to collaborative research and supports authors getting credit for their contributions to research. Publications on the platform benefit from support for code syntax highlighting, so code is fully readable in the body of the chapter.

When the author has finished updating and amending the chapters, the book will be published in its entirety in both print and open access formats under either the Routledge or CRC Press imprint. The author can continue to update or add additional chapters on the open research platform using the “versioning” functionality. These updates can be included in subsequent editions of the print and open access book. 

An Open Plus Book can be standalone or can be part of a wider community collection of related content on a disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or multidisciplinary Gateway on the platform.

Rapid publication

Individual chapters can be published as soon as they are complete; there is no need to wait for all chapters to be delivered. Chapters are published open access on the open research platform in as few as 14 days of submission and acceptance of the final work.

Flexible and dynamic

Books are no longer static publications, but dynamic and evolving. Authors and book editors can add additional chapters at any time to reflect developments in research, thinking, and knowledge. The format is suitable for authored and edited books as well as conference proceedings, handbooks, and encyclopedias.

Updateable

Authors can use the “versioning” functionality on the platform to keep chapters up to date through timely new versions – such as updates to data, standards, codes, policy, research – which can be reviewed and commented on. All versions of the text are linked and can be accessed via the book page on the platform. 

Underlying data and interactivity

Where applicable, chapters can include underlying data and interactive figures, enabling visualization, interaction, reanalysis, replication, and reuse. This also supports scholars getting credit for their contributions to research. Publications on the platform benefit from support for code syntax highlighting, so code is fully readable in the body of the chapter.

Empowering

Authors, not publishers, decide when they want to make updates or amendments, and when they want to have the book published in print. Further updates can be included in subsequent editions of the print and open access book.

Open peer review

Once an Open Plus Book is published the author can choose post-publication, invited open peer review via the Open Plus Book+ option. Authors can then choose to revise their chapters in light of the comments.

Evolving knowledge

An Open Plus Book can reflect the research journey. The author, and those invited by the author, can add to the collection of chapters at any time. This means that the content of an Open Plus Book can evolve and expand as the research and knowledge grows. This means that Open Plus Books are ideal for authors, research communities, organizations, departments, societies, and funders looking to collate their research output in a highly visible and impactful way.

Supporting research communities

Open Plus Books enable and encourage collaboration within and between research communities to evolve knowledge in single disciplines, as well as across disciplines. The opportunity to comment on content and/or to contribute additional content to an Open Plus Book enables communities to build upon new ideas quickly. This innovative way of publishing reduces barriers to collaborative research through data sharing, transparency and attribution.

Author care and support

From proposal to publication, authors and editors will receive the same high level of support and engagement from the Routledge and CRC Press editorial teams as for any other book we publish.