CORE.ac.uk: Find Research Papers, PDFs and Citations
CORE is a search service for open-access research papers at core.ac.uk. If you want a paper rather than information about the service, start with the CORE website. Search by a paper title, author or topic, then open a matching record to look for its full text.
Looking for a PDF or a citation? These are separate tasks: a search result identifies a paper, a full-text link takes you to an available copy, and the citation should describe the paper itself.
How to find and download a paper
- Start with the most specific information you have. A complete title is a better starting point than a broad topic when you already know the paper you need. Otherwise, combine the topic with an author or a distinctive phrase.
- Check the result before downloading. Match the title, authors and publication date. Similar titles can describe different studies, and different records can represent versions of the same work.
- Open the paper's record. Look for full-text options such as Download PDF, the CORE reader, or a link to the data provider. The options depend on the record.
- If there is no accessible PDF, follow the repository link. A record can supply useful bibliographic information without providing a downloadable copy. The repository landing page may explain the available version or access conditions.
For an example of these controls, see this CORE paper record, which separates the full-text options, available versions and repository links. A download option on one record does not mean every search result has a PDF.
How to cite a paper found through CORE
Build the reference from the paper's bibliographic details, not from the CORE homepage. Before pasting a generated reference into an assignment, compare it with the paper and your required citation style.
- Identity: check the exact title and author list.
- Publication: distinguish the journal or conference from the repository that hosts the copy.
- Version: note whether you read a preprint, accepted manuscript or published version; these can differ.
- Link: use the relevant DOI or stable paper link where your citation style calls for one, rather than a temporary search-results URL.
Why a result may not lead straight to a PDF
The search record, the document file and the repository are different pages. If a file link fails, return to the record and try its repository landing page instead of repeatedly opening the same broken download. If several versions are listed, compare their dates and descriptions before choosing one.
CORE helps you discover research; finding a paper there does not establish that its conclusions are correct or that it has been peer reviewed. Read the paper's methods, publication details and version information when deciding how to use it.