Project Description
Overview of Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR)
URL: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/opendoar
OpenDOAR is the quality-assured global directory of academic open access repositories. It enables the identification, browsing and search for repositories, based on a range of features, such as location, software or type of material held.
Tools and support enable both repository administrators and service providers to share best practice and improve the quality of the repository infrastructure.
Criteria for Inclusion & Exclusion
OpenDOAR has opted to collect and provide information solely on sites that wholly embrace the concept of open access to full text resources that are of use to academic researchers. Thus sites where any form of access control prevents immediate access are not included: likewise sites that consist of metadata records only are also declined.
Typically OpenDOAR lists publication repositories, as this is the basis for most repositories. However, OpenDOAR also lists other types, for example of images or data-sets, particularly where these have metadata or documentation sufficient to make the material re-usable.
Common reasons for not listing a site in OpenDOAR include (but are not limited to):
- Site is repeatedly inaccessible
- Site is an eJournal
- Site contains no Open Access materials
- Site contains metadata (bibliographic) references only or solely links to external sites
- Site is actually a library catalogue or collection of locally accessible e-books
- Site requires login to access any material (gated access) – even if freely offered
- Site is a proprietary database or journal that requires a subscription to access