Open access resources

Open access resources are publicly available for you to access, and generally includes academic sources, such as journal articles and books.

While you may associate academic resources with study, they can also come in handy in the workplace, if you need research to support work decisions, projects and business strategies.

You may also want to use them to keep updated on topics related to your field.

Where can you find open access materials?

Google Scholar

Recognise the PDF links in your Google Scholar (opens in new tab) results? They often take you to an open access copy - but remember once you graduate you won't have access to all the FIND IT @ DEAKIN links. Google Scholar Search Tips (opens in new tab) will help you get the most of your searching on Google Scholar.

Open access repositories and databases

Directory of Open Access Journals (opens in new tab)

Directory of Open Access Books (opens in new tab)

It’s good practice to check the quality of your resources, as some open access journals might not be as comprehensively reviewed as others.

Institutional repositories

Access resources published by a specific university's researchers, for example:

• Deakin University: Deakin Research Online (DRO) (opens in new tab)
• University of Melbourne: Minerva Access (opens in new tab)
• Monash University: Research Repository (opens in new tab)

3.6.1 Activity - Institutional repositories

Many of your lecturers are also researchers. Go to Deakin Research Online (DRO), (opens in new tab) and search for Deakin lecturer and researcher Alvin Lee. Make sure the 'Author/Creator' and ‘Open Access only’ options are selected.