Repository Interface for Overlaid Journal Archives (RIOJA): a feasibility study reporting the views of scientists in astrophysics and cosmology

This paper discusses the preliminary results from an online questionnaire survey of scientists in the fields of astrophysics and cosmology, conducted as part of an investigation into the feasibility of the "overlay journal" model in these disciplines. Six hundred and eighty three (683) researchers provided information about their academic background, their research practices, and their attitudes, both as producers and consumers of research, to the traditional journal publishing system; and gave their reactions to the proposed new model. The survey results indicate that scientists in these disciplines are, in general, favourably disposed towards the overlay model, although some important caveats and concerns, particularly regarding quality, were highlighted.