When preparing a scientific publication, researchers often encounter certain difficulties in finding sources for a literature review. Modern digital resources can help optimise this work. In our article, we will examine platforms that will be useful to researchers and describe their key features.
Google Scholar
Google Scholar is one of the best-known search engines, indexing various types of scientific materials, including articles, dissertations, books, conference materials, preprints, and so on. A researcher can create their own library on the platform and return to it whenever necessary. This is particularly useful for saving selected publications and grouping materials by topic.
It is important to note that sources found in Google Scholar require additional verification, as their presence on the platform is not in itself a guaranteed indication of quality.
Scopus
Scopus – is a multidisciplinary abstract and citation database that indexes scientific journals, books, book series, and conference materials.
The platform’s functions help researchers perform the following tasks:
- searching for the necessary sources and publications
- preparing a systematic literature review
- analysing citations
- viewing author profiles and information about journals
- investigating the development of scientific fields
Publications included in the database regularly undergo an evaluation procedure. Independent experts examine a range of important aspects, including editorial policy, the peer-review procedure, scientometric indicators, the quality and regularity of publications, and so on.
Web of Science
The international citation platform Web of Science is useful for finding peer-reviewed scientific articles, conference materials, books, and other academic publications.
Before being included in the Web of Science Core Collection, publications are assessed for editorial integrity, content quality, process transparency, and compliance with standards. One of the platform’s key tools is the Master Journal List, which can be used to check whether a particular journal is indexed in WoS and which citation index it belongs to.
CORE
COnnecting REpositories – is an international platform that indexes scientific materials from open repositories and journals. CORE can be used to find articles, dissertations, reports, conference publications, preprints, and other types of academic materials.
One advantage of the platform is free access, making it suitable for students, postgraduate students, or researchers who are unable to pay for a subscription. CORE will also be useful for interdisciplinary research, as it covers a wide range of scientific fields.
ScienceOpen
ScienceOpen is an international platform that combines the functions of an academic search engine, a bibliographic database, a scientific social network, and an environment for open peer review.
The resource covers:
- scientific publications of various types
- books and individual chapters
- materials from scientific conferences
- preprints
- reviews, comments, and other materials of academic communication
One advantage of ScienceOpen is the connection of publications with authors, keywords, citation indicators, journals, and topics. This allows researchers not only to find the necessary article, but also to view its list of references, access related works, and analyse the development of a particular scientific field.
DOAJ
DOAJ – is an international directory in which open-access scientific journals can be found. The main purpose of the resource is to increase the international visibility and accessibility of publications regardless of the scientific field or language of publication.
To access the material, users do not necessarily have to register or purchase a subscription. The directory can be searched by journal or publisher name, keywords, or ISSN. In addition to providing open access, a publication included in DOAJ must regularly publish scientific articles, have a registered ISSN and its own accessible website, and openly state its editorial board, author requirements, peer-review procedure, licence, and so on.
Searching for sources is one of the key stages in preparing a scientific paper. Digital resources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, CORE, ScienceOpen, and DOAJ will be useful in this process. They will help researchers speed up the search and find relevant materials in a particular field.
If you have encountered difficulties in finding sources and materials, contact Scientific Papers. Our specialists will help prepare various types of scientific papers in accordance with the established requirements and deadlines. Submit an enquiry on the website, and our manager will contact you shortly. Together towards new scientific achievements!
