Accessing journal articles

C

just wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to access journal articles?

My PhD is social science based, however I'm at a specialist university which doesn't really do social science. As such I'm finding that I can't access half of the full texts I need for my literature review. I have access to the SRA so I'm looking to see if I can access any through them but so far no luck.

I know I may be able to request some through Researchgate but haven't found this very successful in the past and there's a lot to request.

Has anyone come up against this before and found a solution?

Avatar for pf329

You should be able to request everything you need through your university's library, at no cost to you.

Avatar for rewt

sci-hub.tw

C

Thanks! I'll give it a go!

I've discovered I can get some if I go to the British library as well. Hopefully I can track most of them down!

P

To all those using the fabulous sci-hub (for which all of us who believe in free distribution of publicly paid-for research results should be tremendously grateful), I would recommend you don't attempt accessing this through your university account as you could potentially cause considerable problems for your uni and yourself.

C

Quote From pm133:
To all those using the fabulous sci-hub (for which all of us who believe in free distribution of publicly paid-for research results should be tremendously grateful), I would recommend you don't attempt accessing this through your university account as you could potentially cause considerable problems for your uni and yourself.


I thought it seemed to good to be true so was skeptical, I don't know much about it though. I think any I can get through other methods is preferred (I've never been to the British Library before so it sounds fun).

T

Quote From pm133:
To all those using the fabulous sci-hub (for which all of us who believe in free distribution of publicly paid-for research results should be tremendously grateful), I would recommend you don't attempt accessing this through your university account as you could potentially cause considerable problems for your uni and yourself.


What do you reckon would happen? Because I do it occasionally, when I need to, which isn't often because my university subscribes to most things I need. I've never see any mention that I can't do it, so I think I could just plead ignorance?

Avatar for rewt

My library unofficially recommends the service. The journals can trace it to the university but they are not responsible for internet use.

P

ToL, my fear would be that the universities could be identified by the journal and that could potentially cause subsequent issues for the university such as restriction of legitimate access to the journals. Elsevier is valued at £35 billion. No company that big is going to sit back and allow their asset to be freely accessed.
Under pressure, the university could easily determine which of their users were accessing these services. That might lead to a threat to your job.
It depends on how much risk you want to take and how realistic those risks are. I am a hge advocate of Sci-Hub but it's only fair to warn people of potential risks of using "illegal services" within your university.
I use it at home regularly but would not access it when at uni premises.

P

Quote From rewt:
My library unofficially recommends the service. The journals can trace it to the university but they are not responsible for internet use.


That is not the same thing as saying that accessing that site is consequence free for either the uni or the student. It's just worth bearing in mind that there is a risk here. To be honest I'm not sure I would trust a librarian member of staff who is speaking with any authority on copyright and legal issues which cross international boundaries.

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