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Where Can the Crow Make Friends? Sci‐Hub's Activities in the Library of Development Studies and its Implications for the Field

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  • Frederik Sagemüller
  • Luise Meißner
  • Oliver Mußhoff

Abstract

This study examines data on the worldwide use of the shadow library website Sci‐Hub. It focuses particularly on the discipline of development studies, taking a critical look at current practices in scientific publishing and their implications for scientific conduct in this field. In the context of discussions about open science, the data demonstrate that Sci‐Hub represents an existing network of open access literature. The study first describes the extent and geographic distribution of download requests from Sci‐Hub and then identifies the underlying socio‐economic drivers (i.e. GDP and population). The authors find that Sci‐Hub is used the most by researchers from the global South, primarily from middle‐income countries, whereas researchers from the poorest countries in the data set use Sci‐Hub the least. This approach allows some conclusions to be drawn about factors that have an effect on a functioning open access network.

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  • Frederik Sagemüller & Luise Meißner & Oliver Mußhoff, 2021. "Where Can the Crow Make Friends? Sci‐Hub's Activities in the Library of Development Studies and its Implications for the Field," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 52(3), pages 670-683, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devchg:v:52:y:2021:i:3:p:670-683
    DOI: 10.1111/dech.12638
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