Getting started as an OAD contributor

• This is how to get started as a contributor to the Open Access Directory (OAD).

Thanks for your willingness to help out. Quick summary: Get an OAD account. Learn the OAD style.

Getting an OAD account

1. Go to the OAD and click the Request account link in the upper right corner.
   • To prevent spam, only registered users may edit OAD, but registration is free and easy.
   • If you've already registered, then sign in.
2. New accounts must be approved by the editor, who is sometimes traveling. Please understand if this process takes a few days.

Learning the OAD style

• Look around the OAD. Note that it contains lists, not articles, and some of the lists differ substantially from others. Some are long and some are short. Some are well-organized and some could use a rethink. Some include fairly extensive annotations on each entry and some include little or no annotation.

• Each list has a "scope note" at the top, describing what the list is about and what sorts of annotations we'd like to add to list entries.
  • Please don't change the scope notes on your own. But if you have ideas for changing the scope notes, please contact the editors.

• If you want to add an entry to an existing list, follow the style of that list.
  • Look at the scope note at the top to see what annotations, if any, would desirable.
  • Look at the existing entries. Follow their format, unless they fall short of what the scope note calls for.
  • Put your new entry in the right place. Some lists are in alphabetical order, and others are in chronological order.
  • Add links as needed.

Tips and suggestions

• If you're in a certain list for a specific purpose, like adding a new entry, don't hesitate to make other improvements while you're there.
  • If an entry has typos, formatting errors, or dead links, please correct them.
  • If an entry is off-topic, please delete it or move it to the appropriate list.
  • If an entry is on-topic but out of place, please put it where it belongs.
  • If an entry doesn't have all the annotations called for in the scope note, or doesn't have useful links, please add some of what's missing.
  • If an passage could be written more clearly, please clarify it.

• If you have suggestions for improving OAD overall, send your suggestion to the editors.