Open access (OA) is a way of publishing your research, usually with limited copyright restrictions, that enables it to be freely accessible to the public. This method of publishing provides everyone with greater ability to access, view, build upon, and cite research.
While the OA model of publishing is an exciting and dynamic area of inquiry and practice (as are related topics such as open educational resources) it is also an established and respected mode of scholarship that has been around for nearly 30 years and almost always includes peer review by discipline experts. Many of the largest publishers now offer the option of publishing open access, and the number of full open access journals continues to expand.