In December 2005, AcademyHealth's Board of Directors approved the development of an Exploratory Committee to assess the impact of funders' restrictions on publishing research. This activity grew from concerns raised by AcademyHealth members that funders, particularly federal agencies, are restricting their publication freedom, or otherwise influencing their dissemination activities. In an environment in which the integrity of research findings is under increasing scrutiny, the Board assessed the factors that affect the publication and dissemination of federally funded health services research while recognizing the need to balance the expectations, rights, and obligations of both funders and researchers.

AcademyHealth, on behalf of its Board of Directors announces the release of a study prepared by the Exploratory Committee: Historical Analysis of Ownership & Publication Rights in Government Contracts for Health Services Research. The study describes the information gathering process conducted by the Committee and proposes follow-on activities that the Board has considered.

AcademyHealth and its advocacy arm the Coalition for Health Services Research are working to ensure fair and transparent access to info rmation. This study serves as an important first step in promoting greater transparency and independence in the publication process.

• Introduction
• Background and Methods
• Findings
• Overall
• Findings from Legal Research
• Interviews
• Interview Results: Key Themes
• Discussion
• Endnotes
• Appendices
  • Appendix A – Summary of Roundtable Discussion
  • Appendix B – Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University v. Sullivan
  • Appendix C – Federal Register, Notice of HHSAR Amendments
  • Appendix D – Specific FAR Clauses
  • Appendix E – Sample Restrictive Language
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