RESEARCH ARTICLE With open science gaining traction, do we need an Australasia PubMed Central (PMC)? A qualitative investigation Lisa M. KruesiID*, Frada V. Burstein, Kerry J. TannerID Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia *
[email protected] a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 Open biomedical repositories, such as PubMed Central (PMC), are a means to make a1111111111 a1111111111 research discoverable and permanently accessible. Assessing the potential interest of key a1111111111 stakeholders in an Australasia PubMed Central was the objective of this research. The investigation is novel, assisting in the development of open science infrastructure through its systematic analysis of the potential interest in, and viability of a biomedical repository for managing openly accessible research outputs for the Australasia region. The research OPEN ACCESS adopted a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Forty-four stakeholders located throughout Australia and New Zealand participated in the Citation: Kruesi LM, Burstein FV, Tanner KJ (2019) With open science gaining traction, do we need an research. Participants expanded upon their experience of PubMed, MEDLINE, PMC and Australasia PubMed Central (PMC)? A qualitative their use of information resources for research and clinical practice. The Evidence Based investigation. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0212843. https:// Healthcare (EBHC) pyramid was the theoretical model adopted to explain open biomedical doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212843 repository processes. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis Editor: Gemma Elizabeth Derrick, Lancaster identified support for exploring membership of an international PMC system, in particular University, UNITED KINGDOM Europe PMC. Lessons learnt from PMC US, Europe PMC and PMC Canada (collectively Received: May 5, 2018 known as PubMed Central International) informed the investigation.