“Just Tick the Box”: Researcher Understanding of Intellectual Property and Open Access Research Policies in Publication Practices at Australian Universities

Introduction: Australia has achieved limited national progress toward achieving policy goals for more open and rapid access to research outputs. This article provides evidence of the widespread confusion in Australian research practices and policies relating to ownership and dissemination of research publications. This confusion often results in researchers just ticking a box: assigning copyright to commercial publishers. Methods: Based upon insights from interviews with university researchers, librarians, and research managers, we describe how academics grapple with myriad policies and pressures relating to research and publication. Results: Subject matter covered includes university intellectual property (IP) and open access policies; research quality and peer review; article processing charges; and funder open access requirements. Conclusion: The authors propose remedies to improve the ways that IP and open access policies can work better to achieve goals for dissemination. If implemented, these remedies would lead to greater policy harmonisation and ease of understanding within the research sector, as well as a permanent change in the way government and institutions assess research quality. These remedies also align with global policy developments aimed at creating a more open future for research.