Mapping the Global Terrain of OpenDOAR Utilization: Insights from Data Visualization Approach

Abstract

Open-access repositories have become essential platforms for distributing scholarly knowledge globally, fostering accessibility and collaboration within the academic community. Understanding the landscape of OARs and use patterns across different regions is vital for advancing scholarly communication and research dissemination practices. This study maps the global terrain of OpenDOAR (Directory of Open Access Repositories) through a comprehensive analysis using data visualization techniques. Leveraging data from OpenDOAR, insights into the geographical distribution, software preferences, content types, and growth trends of OARs are provided. Advanced data visualization techniques, including dynamic pie charts, line plots, and choropleth maps, offer a nuanced understanding of OAR usage patterns. The analysis reveals significant disparities in repository distribution across continents, with Europe leading in repository count, followed by Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. The United States, Japan, and Germany emerged as top contributors to the repository count. Longitudinal analysis indicates consistent repository growth in the USA, Japan, and Germany, while other countries show varying trends. The analysis of software usage across continents reveals variations in adoption and use within scholarly repository ecosystems, with DSpace emerging as the most widely adopted software globally. This study provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of OAR usage, offering implications for researchers involved in scholarly communication and research dissemination. Understanding these trends can inform strategic decision-making regarding software selection, resource allocation, and collaborative opportunities within the global scholarly community.