Start with the DOI and check open-access locations for that DOI, then search repository aggregators and PMC for a full-text version; you will end with either the full text or a documented finding that only the abstract is accessible. PubMed's abstract display does not by itself tell you whether a lawful full-text copy exists elsewhere, so treat the DOI as the identifier to carry into the next checks.
- Record the DOI. Copy the DOI from the PubMed record. Unpaywall records describe open-access locations associated with a DOI, including host type, version, license information when available, and a selected best open-access location. Use those fields to identify candidate copies and note the version and license for each.
- Check repository aggregators. CORE aggregates open-access research outputs and offers discovery services, data access, and tools for finding repository copies of scholarly work. Search by the paper's title or DOI and collect any repository copies it returns.
- Search Europe PMC for full-text links. Europe PMC supports keyword and fielded searches across life-science literature, grants, preprints, citations, references, and links to available full text. Run a fielded search on the DOI or title and follow any full-text link the record provides.
- Check PMC directly. If the PubMed record or Europe PMC points to a PMC version, open that record to confirm the full text is present rather than only the abstract.
- Document the outcome. If the checks return no accessible full text, record the DOI, the sources checked, and the result that only the abstract is accessible. That record tells you and collaborators where the search stopped and which identifier to reuse if you request the paper through another route.
A repository copy may be a different version from the published article, so check the version field before quoting or citing specific wording. When a source returns no full-text link, treat the availability as unresolved for that source and continue to the next check.