How to search for and download free academic papers?

Researchers can efficiently locate and access numerous academic papers legally at no cost by utilizing dedicated open-access repositories, specialized search engines, and institutional resources provided by many universities and research bodies. The process relies heavily on identifying legitimate sources of open-access (OA) literature, where copyright holders grant free access. Key platforms include subject-specific repositories (e.g., arXiv for physics, PubMed Central for life sciences), general OA databases (e.g., DOAJ, BASE), and university library portals often providing access for affiliated users. Prioritize reputable sources to avoid predatory publishers, and always adhere to publisher copyright licenses. Understanding the distinction between gold OA (published freely by the journal) and green OA (author-deposited versions in repositories) is beneficial. Begin with your university library website, which may offer subscribed access or curated OA links. Use dedicated OA search engines like Google Scholar, enabling its "Library Links" setting, and CORE to aggregate repository content. Search comprehensive OA directories such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Explore specific subject repositories relevant to your field. As legal alternatives, consider Academic Social Networks (e.g., ResearchGate, Academia.edu) where authors share papers, or contacting authors directly for copies. Always verify the legal access status.