The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) has announced a new draft selection criteria for listing journals in its directory. The draft criteria is open for public comments until the 15th of July 2013. The rise of open access journals publishers; the increasing participation and support in open publishing by research funders; favourable open access policies and mandates has necessitated the need to identify good quality open access journals and in the process filter out disreputable publishers.

DOAJ Listing Criteria

In order to be listed in the DOAJ, a journal will now need to meet the following criteria:-

• Journal will be asked to provide basic information (title, ISSN, etc.), contact information, and information about journal policies,
• Journal is registered with SHERPA/RoMEO
• Journal has an editorial board with clearly identifiable members (including affiliation information)
• Journal publishes a minimum of five articles per year (does not apply for new journals)
• Allows use and reuse at least at the levels specified in the Open Access Spectrum. 

The full detailed list of the criteria is available here

Implementation issues and the DOAJ Seal of Approval criteria

Journals that are currently listed in DOAJ will have to go through a re-evaluation process based on the above criteria as it will apply retrospectively. This work is foreseen to be completed in the next coming 12 months. Journals that would have gone through this criteria will bear DOAJ Seal of Approval, upon satisfying further requirements.

For more information kindly visit http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=news&nId=303&uiLanguage=en