Publish or Perish: The Cost of Publication in Orthopaedic Journals

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to describe the cost of publication in orthopaedic journals and correlation to journal impact factor metrics. METHODS: Orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine journals were included for analysis. Data were recorded from publicly available records. Statistical analysis was conducted using R studio version 4.2.3. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis (Tukey, Honest Significant Difference (HSD) was performed to compare SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) scores, H-index, and average cost (including the average submission, publication, or article processing charges [APCs] of a published article) between journals based on SJR quartile. Independent sample t-test and chi square or Fisher exact test were used to compare variables, with a Bonferroni P-value adjustment. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for SJR score, H-index, total journal references and publications as of 2022, years in publication, average cost, and APC (ie, the cost of publication associated with Open-Access publication). Correlation strengths were defined as excellent (>0.7), excellent-good (0.61 to 0.7), good (0.31 to 0.6), or poor (0.2 to 0.3). P values ≤0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 306 orthopaedic journals, 4.9% had submission fees. Subscription publication was available in 55.56%. The average APC for open-access options was $1,975.69 ± 1,524.53 US dollars (USD). Comparison of publication cost for journals with and without subscription options demonstrated significance ($2,939.19 vs. $857.94 USD, P < 0.005). No strong correlation was found between journal impact factor metrics and publication costs. The top 5 main publishers are listed. The top publisher, Elsevier, responsible for 13.07% of orthopaedic journals, offered subscription publication options for only 32.5% of journals, with an average APC of $2,180.21 ± 1,521.27 USD. The United States published the most (n = 86 journals), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 61). DISCUSSION: Open-access publication aims to ensure equitable access but is limited by large costs associated with publication charged to the authors, which do not strongly correlate with journal impact factor metrics.