Njagi,Pauline RuguruNjoroge,George Gitau2025-09-102025-09-102024Njagi, Pauline Ruguru, and George Gitau Njoroge. "Demystifying open access misconception for improved research discoverability." KLISC Journal of Information Science & Knowledge Management (2024).3005-4923https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/31389research articleThe dissemination of knowledge and scholarly communication depends heavily on open-access publishing. Open access refers to free and instant online access to research articles paired with the rights to use these articles fully in the digital environment, in the context of scholarly communication. However, financial limitations, antiquated academic infrastructure, and misunderstandings about open access sometimes impede access to scientific knowledge and research discoveries in developing nations. Erroneous beliefs about lower study quality, copyright issues, and financial hardships sometimes deter researchers from adopting open access. In addition, the benefits and guiding principles of open-access publication are not well known to many scholars and organizations in developing nations. This study hopes to dispel these myths and demonstrate the value in the discoverability and distribution of worthwhile research, which will advance science and advance the socioeconomic growth of these countries. The article aims to establish open access as an opportunity by addressing the misconception that frames it as a threat. The study conducted a literature review on open access. A structured assessment of past and contemporary literature enhanced the selection, categorization, and summarization of findings and deliberation on open access publishing quality control, marketing of intellectual output, copyright, and achieving compliance in institutions of higher learning. The study findings created awareness of the potential benefits of higher citations and exposure that emerge from open access integration into academics' operations. Also, the study demonstrated how open access unlatch the institution to the public and eludes a culture of secrecy and scepticism that has been pervasive throughout scientific research. The study will significantly influence policies on scholarly activities resulting to more open access publishingenArticle