Lecture (16) : Sci-Hub

Accessing Research Papers: Challenges and Solutions

Introduction to the Problem

• The speaker introduces the topic of accessing research papers, highlighting a common issue where some papers cannot be downloaded in PDF format.

• Emphasizes that while open-access research can be easily found on Google, many other papers are difficult to access.

Utilizing University Resources

• Discusses how universities often provide access to specific journals for their students, allowing free downloads of certain research papers.

• Suggests creating an account with a university email to gain access to these resources.

Contacting Authors for Access

• Mentions the possibility of contacting authors directly via email if a paper is not accessible. This can facilitate obtaining a PDF version.

• Highlights that authors may be willing to share their work as it benefits them when others cite or build upon their research.

Google Scholar and Other Tools

• Introduces Google Scholar as a tool for finding PDFs of available research papers.

• Notes that there are limitations in accessing newer publications (post-2021), as many journals have implemented stricter protections against unauthorized downloads.

Strategies for Finding Older Research Papers

• Describes methods for retrieving older research articles (pre-2021), which are generally more accessible.

• Points out that while older articles can typically be accessed without issues, newer ones face restrictions due to enhanced security measures by publishers.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Encourages exploring various links and resources online to find suitable academic articles before 2021.

How to Request Research Papers Online

Overview of the Process

• The speaker discusses a method for requesting specific research papers online, emphasizing the importance of creating an account on a designated website.

• Users can post requests for particular research papers, which allows others who have access to those papers to respond and send them directly.

• The process involves copying the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the desired research paper and using it in the request post.

Utilizing Online Resources

• If a paper is closed access, users may utilize Google Scholar or similar platforms to find alternative ways to obtain it.