Hi Oluyomi! Articles published in the "close-access" journals are read by subscribers and institutions' members. So good articles are available in public domain. The subscription model is to help the publication process to remain in place. If no one is paying for publication charges, then it becomes unsubstaintable for the journals to continue publication. To read good articles published in such journals either one may subscribe the journal or may become a member of the subscriber institution.

You can add your articles on ResearchGate and people can access for free. I agree with you - that paying for articles can make it harder for people to access.

I agree with Dr. Caitlin's opinion. Thanks for sharing it.

Samuel Oluyomi Ayodele

Dear Professor,

Thank you for the interesting question.

When no one reads a published article, it does make a difference. At least that possibility is there that in future, a researcher may look into it for some reference. Also, a published article increases the number of researches pursued in that domain. Even if no one reads it, it is useful because researchers may understand (sometimes) the importance of that domain of knowledge by just finding out the number of researches pursued in that area.

Best regards,

Anamitra.

Great answers here!!!!!

Samuel Oluyomi Ayodele In addition to what was exposed by the Devinder Pal Singh , the so-called Predatory Publishers show this to the most unsuspecting. Unfortunately, the articles published by such editors are interesting, but they need a good evaluation for later publication.

I agree with Dr. Ivani, articles must be evaluated by peer review. This give a high scientific quality to articles. Also, Open Access journal increasing Reading of paper than closed issus

It does not make any difference, really. It means its contribution to academia or industry can't be felt.

Immensely grateful for your contributions to this subject of discussion. They've really been useful Ivani Nadir Carlotto, Bara Mouslim , Vincent O. Nyangaresi , Mariam Paulis Sada

Mohammed Jaafar Ali Alatabe

Sir Voskoboinick Andrey

Thanks for your contribution Sir M.K. Tripathi

The reads of a published article increase the visibility and possibilities of citations. So, the higher number of reads of an article signifies the popularity and effectiveness thereby the quality of the research. However, it may be not true all the time for all articles. Article accessibility is an important element while talking about the reads. Nowadays, most of the articles are open access that provides full access to articles online and multiplies the possibilities of more reads and faster citations. But, some journals are still offline that are maintaining the traditional system. Again certain journals give access to articles only with payment options to view the article. To me, published articles in the traditional offline mode and viewing options through payments are hurdles in the lesser reads of a published article. So, to increase the reads of the article, you need to increase the visibility.

I think that all articles must be buying by their owners. A scientist who does not share his paper decreasing visibility.For example, RG give more hand up for articles. If articles is not read it mean the power of visibility is low.

Good question, very important in this day. But if articles is not read it mean the power of visibility is low.

Thank you so much for your contributions. They are very valuable Sir Hendrics Ramos Companioni Bara Mouslim Voskoboinick Andrey

Dear Doctor Samuel Oluyomi Ayodele , Thank you for this wonderful question.

I also have the same question.

In addition to the points/views shared by other contributors, I would like to put forth one more point here for your kind attention.

The restriction on access to information (subscription based articles) is detrimental to the balanced growth of society. I think the privileged segments in the society will grow faster by depriving information access to underprivileged segments.

Also, I completely agree with you on this. It is a simple logic. If nobody is there to read my answer, what is the meaning of me answering. Similarly, a research article is always for the consumption (read, refer, agree, disagree, debate, suggest,) of others.

Best wishes and regards Yoganandan

Researchers have 2 chances to grab and hook the reader(s): 1.The title of the article, 2. The abstract. If both of them do not play their role (function) and attract the readers, so there is an issue in one or both of them. They are not convincing anyone to read the full article. Both of them play a crucial marketising role to force readers to "buy" it. Sometimes reformulating a title makes a great difference. However, the other way round is maybe worse : A good title/abstract with a frustrating content. This is worse because it kills the reputation of a writer/researcher. Probably nobody would read you again. So, the ideal situation would be a good title with a good content. Good question Oluyomi Ayodele!

I agree with Kassim Boudjelal Safir's opinion.

Thanks for sharing it.

I agree with Gibji Nimasow's opinion.

Thanks for sharing it.

Publication of article at the outset is for us to know our standing & also in which mode we may contribute for our publication to know where we stand in our knowledge for presentation . While writing our publication it offers us one nature of mental satisfaction & when we write our article in order to judge our evaluation we may discuss the same with our friends , who have an interest in reading in literature & with this it will also good practice if we accept his valuable suggestion for our knowledge & guideline . With such practice in course of time we may give justification to our publication .

This is my personal opinion

The thrill of achievement once a paper is published will be short-lived if the paper fails to attract readability. This is not entirely the author's burden. As suggested, closed-access journals which will give access merely to a review of the abstract of the paper is an obstacle to attract more readers. Unfortunately, most of the Scopus-indexed journals fall into this category!

Agree with Ahmed T. Hussein and Rohit Manilal Parikh

It's the responsibility of the publisher and the author at the same time

Thank you so much for you valuable contributions: Bestoon Faraj Ahmad A. Al Rababah Ahmed T. Hussein Rohit Manilal Parikh Humberto Costa

Great answers, so beneficial to me Yoganandan G Kassim Boudjelal Safir THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

"Closed access" journals expose themselves to these "risks".

What's more, the authors who publish in this type of journals.

Also for this reason it is always preferable to publish in "open acces" journals.

Your reason was very clear. Thanks for responding Gioacchino de Candia

Thank you Ass. Prof Umar Ashraf

If it had impact definitely it would have been read. It would be pity for the authors however some articles are having less read but might have been citated.

When a possibility is read from others, it is cited from others and its scientific value increases.

Dear Samuel Oluyomi Ayodele The aim of embarking on any research is to solve a particular research problem. I believe that with time the target audience will get to read your article and your dream fulfilled.

Thanks so much for the beautiful answer Dr Emma

This is a great answer @ Nusrat Husain

No it doesn't make any difference, so open access Journals are preferred.

If the field of research matches with your field of research then your published article will be referred by others. For literature survey one has to read or refer your article.

If articles are published and nobody has read them, there's no point in such articles, since the impact of such articles on the society is zero.

It doe not really matter. But for this to happen would be very strange.

Yes absolutely. Higher the reads you get, the more your article would be cited and recommend for other researchers.

It does matter though the situation may be of concern particularly in this era of citation counts and h-index, which may sometimes be used to measure academic influence or productivity. This issue may be partly handled by sending private copies of some published article papers to fellow researchers on RG based on request. Thanks.