Tools and Services

Publishing Platform

ULS E-Journal Publishing uses Open Journal Systems (OJS) open-source software to manage our journals. OJS was created by the Public Knowledge Project, through its efforts to expand and improve access to research, and was released under the GNU General Public License.

OJS is one of the most widely used software solutions for journal publishing and is supported by a robust global community of users and developers. You can read more about how OJS works, as well as background on OJS and the Public Knowledge Project. To compare OJS with other software solutions for journal publishing, we recommend Mind the Gap: A Landscape Analysis of Open Source Publishing Tools and Platforms.

The ULS has knowledge of publishing best practices and a proven track record as a publisher. We are also a major development partner with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), the organization that produces and maintains OJS.

Our initial and ongoing support and services include:

  • ISSN registration
  • Assignation of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)
  • Graphic design
  • Training and support of OJS software
  • Metadata quality control at the time of publication
  • Consultation on editorial workflow and management
  • Advice on publishing standards, best practices, and ethics
  • Statistics
  • Assistance in gaining recognition as a scholarly journal
  • Digital preservation using the LOCKSS system
  • Assistance with adding back issues for existing journals

Journal Discoverability

We will work with you to expose your journal metadata to OAI-PMH, EBSCO Discovery Service, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and other major search indexes to increase the exposure of your e-journal and enhance its impact.

Statistics

  • OJS journal statistics for articles, editorial activity, and users
  • Google Analytics for website usage statistics
  • Plum Analytics for PlumX alternative metrics

Author Fees

Currently, no ULS journal publications charge author fees. The editorial staff of each journal may set article processing charges for works accepted for publication. Our policy requires these charges to be waived for authors without grant funding. Author fees, if charged, will always be clearly stated in the “About” section of the journal.

Forms and other documentation

Documents can be opened using Microsoft Word 2007 and newer versions.