ResearchGATE launches SelfArchiving Repository September 15, 2009

ResearchGATE is a scientific community site with over 140,000 members. Now it launches a SelfArchiving Repository that will make full‐text articles available to the public.

Currently, there is no way for researchers to access millions of publications in their full version online.  ResearchGATE is now changing this by enabling users to upload their published research directly to their profile pages (a system called the “green route” to Open Access). Since nine out of ten journals allow selfarchiving, this project could give thousands of researchers immediate access to articles that are not yet freely available.

Our SelfArchiving Repository does not infringe on copyrights because each profile page within ResearchGATE is legally considered the personal website of the user (and the majority of journal publishers allow articles to be openly accessible on personal homepages). Therefore, each user can upload his or her published articles in compliance with selfarchiving regulations . Our publication index makes every publication identifiable and is searchable. Since each profile is networked to the larger platform, the uploaded resources will form an enormous pool of research for our members. Of course, it’s free of charge, like the all the other resources at ResearchGATE.

More information at self-archiving.me.

David Bradley also covered the topic on Sciencebase.