University Library: Finding full text: Free full text sources

Free full text sources

Possible alternatives to access full text
You found it, but should you use it?

Here are some alternatives to access full text research articles, including general platforms and specific open access search engines.

arXiv
arXiv is a preprint archive mainly for physics, mathematics, computer sciences, and related sciences.
Base
Hosted at Bielefied University in Germany, Base enables you search for academic web resources from thousands of content providers.
bioRxiv
bioRxiv is a discovery platform for open access preprints in the life sciences.
CORE
CORE is an academic search engine developed by JISC and Open University dedicated to open access research papers.
DOAJ
DOAJ (The directory of open access journals) helps you to find open access journals and articles.
Get the Research
Get the Research is an academic search engine from Unpaywall which provides access to peer-reviewed research.
Humanities Commons
Humanities Commons provides access to open-access articles and teaching materials in the humanities.
JURN
A search tool for free academic articles and books in arts and humanities, biomedical, ecology, business, and law.
medRxiv
medRxiv is the preprint discovery platform for Health Sciences.
OSF Preprints
OSF (Open Science Framework) is a preprint service providing access to pre print articles in various subject areas.
PubMed Central
Free full text of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
RefSeek
RefSeek is an academic search engine that aims to make academic information easily accessible to everyone.
ScienceOpen
ScienceOpen is a discovery platform that contains millions of academic articles, a large part are open access.
Semantic Scholar
Semantic Scholar is an AI powered research tool for locating and staying up-to-date with scientific literature.
Zenodo
Zenodo is platform developed by CERN where you can find open access publications, preprints and research data.

More information on open access resources can also be found on the Guide links below:

Grey Literature
For open access theses and dissertations and conference proceedings explore our Grey Literature guide.
Open Access
For directories of open access journal /books and educational resources explore our Open Access guide.

Evaluate the resource for accuracy and credibility

If your resources are not retrieved from the library's databases, then closer scrutiny of the resource is required. The suggestions below will help you decide about the credibility of resource you found online and if you would want to use it in your paper.

Check if the article is published in a peer reviewed journal by checking these resources

FiNDit: Search for the article title in FiNDit, click on "Expand results beyond our collection ink on top of the search results and verify if it is peer reviewed
Ulrichsweb Serials Directory: Search for journal title in Ulrichsweb to see if it is peer reviewed
The journal's website: verify if it is a peer reviewed journal from the About pages

Use the following modules and checklists to evaluate the resources you found:

Evaluating Information
This module from Credo Research Skills, covers the basics of evaluating resources for authority, accuracy, and other criteria.
Health Research Readiness: Module D Evaluating information
Covers how to evaluate resources, including spotting predatory publishers and evaluating self-styled "experts".
Dependability checklist
A checklist from Deakin University to help critically evaluate the credibility of a resource.
JBI critical appraisal tools
JBI checklists assist in assessing the trustworthiness, relevance and results of published studies and opinion.

Finding full text

Open Access FAQs

Free full text sources

Evaluate the resource for accuracy and credibility

Check if the article is published in a peer reviewed journal by checking these resources

Use the following modules and checklists to evaluate the resources you found:

Ask a librarian if you are still unsure!