How to Access Scholarly Articles for Dissertation Research

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How to Access Scholarly Articles for Dissertation Research

Accessing scholarly articles for dissertation research can sometimes be challenging, but there are several ways to gain access to high-quality academic materials. Here are a few strategies:

1. Use Your University’s Library

  • Library Access: Your university likely subscribes to various databases (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest, ScienceDirect) that provide free access to scholarly articles. Use your library’s website or ask a librarian for help in accessing these resources.

  • Interlibrary Loan: If your university doesn’t have access to a specific article or journal, you can request it through interlibrary loans (ILL). This service allows libraries to borrow materials from other institutions.

2. Explore Open Access Journals

  • DOAJ: The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) provides free access to thousands of scholarly articles in various fields. Use DOAJ to find freely available peer-reviewed research.

  • Institutional Repositories: Many universities and research institutions provide open access to their researchers’ published papers through institutional repositories. Check the websites of academic institutions in your field.

3. Use ResearchGate and Academia.edu

  • ResearchGate: ResearchGate is a platform where scholars upload their articles, papers, and research outputs. You can request full-text access to articles directly from authors if the paper isn’t freely available.

  • Academia.edu: Similar to ResearchGate, Academia.edu is a social networking site for academics where researchers share their publications. You can request articles directly from the authors if they aren’t immediately accessible.

4. Contact Authors Directly

  • Emailing Authors: If you find a paper you want to access but it’s behind a paywall, don’t hesitate to contact the author directly. Many researchers are happy to send a copy of their paper if you explain that it is for academic purposes.

5. Look for Preprint Servers

  • Preprints: Preprint servers (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv, SSRN) provide access to papers before they are peer-reviewed and published in journals. While not always peer-reviewed, preprints can be a valuable source of up-to-date research in certain fields.

6. Use Public Databases

  • Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a free tool that allows you to search for scholarly articles. It also links to versions of articles available for free on other platforms, such as institutional repositories or author websites.

By utilizing these strategies and resources, you can access the scholarly articles necessary for your dissertation research, even if you don’t have access to paid databases.

Published by Henry