How to use open access platforms to search for useful literature?

Utilizing open access platforms provides a viable method to discover valuable scholarly literature without paywalls. These platforms host peer-reviewed articles, theses, preprints, and books freely accessible to researchers globally. Effective search requires selecting appropriate repositories like DOAJ, arXiv, BASE, PubMed Central, or institutional repositories, understanding their disciplinary scope. Precise keyword selection, phrase searching using quotation marks, and applying available filters (e.g., date, publication type) significantly enhance relevance. Crucially, verifying the credibility and indexing standards of the platform and critically appraising the source journal or publisher remains essential to ensure quality. Combining searches across multiple platforms often yields the most comprehensive results. Begin by identifying the most relevant open access databases for your discipline. Formulate focused search queries using specific keywords, controlled vocabularies, and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). Execute the search, utilizing available filters to refine results. Critically screen titles and abstracts for relevance and methodological soundness. Finally, verify source credibility before downloading or citing the full text, enabling efficient access to current research findings.