UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Open access publications are made available to readers without paywalls or subscription fees. The stem mentions free availability without subscription barriers, which is the defining feature of open access. This model aims to widen dissemination and usage of research. Hence, “open” access correctly completes the sentence.

Option A:
Restricted access content is limited to certain users, often through paywalls or licences. This is the opposite of the barrier-free access described in the question, so this option is not correct.

Option B:
Delayed access sometimes allows free reading after an embargo period, but the stem focuses on absence of subscription barriers at the point of use. Therefore, delayed access does not best capture the idea in the question.

Option C:
Closed access refers to content that remains behind paywalls or is accessible only to subscribers. It contradicts the notion of free online availability and cannot complete the statement correctly.

Option D:
Open access removes subscription barriers and often allows reuse under specific licences, matching the scenario of freely available research articles outlined in the stem.

Statements A, B, D and E provide a realistic picture of how research is disseminated and used, while C is false. Research is commonly shared through journals, conferences and policy documents, and open access routes can broaden readership. Translating findings into accessible language supports practitioner use, and funders may require outputs aimed at both academic and practitioner or policy audiences. C is incorrect because researchers do have ethical and professional responsibilities to communicate findings beyond academic circles where relevant.

Option A:
Option A omits E and thus does not mention the expectations of funding agencies for diverse dissemination outputs, which is an important aspect of utilisation. This omission makes the set incomplete.

Option B:
Option B leaves out B itself and focuses only on A, D and E, thereby ignoring the contemporary significance of open access publishing in widening access to knowledge. Without that element, the option does not fully capture dissemination strategies.

Option C:
Option C includes B, D and E but omits A, which states the basic channels of dissemination like journals and conferences. By not including A, this option fails to mention the most traditional outlets.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it groups together all four true statements and excludes C, which wrongly suggests that researchers have no communication obligations beyond academia. It represents both conventional and newer expectations around dissemination and use.

Option E includes C, the false claim about lack of responsibility to stakeholders, and so the combination becomes unacceptable despite containing other true statements.