Answered By: Lucy Kelleher
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2023     Views: 185

The Library does not support linking sources uploaded from platforms such as ResearchGate, Academia.edu, SciHub and other similar sites to course reading lists for the following reasons:

  1. Should a work shared on a commercial academic networking platform, including your own, happen to infringe copyright, then it may be subject to a take-down demand from a publisher and will become unavailable to view.
  2. It is always best practice to source reading list material from the University Library eResources, open access databases and repositories, or via our resource sharing service to avoid any potential Copyright infringement

Copyright compliance is serious. If you upload or share content in a way that infringes a publisher’s rights, the publisher can file a notice claiming copyright infringement. That notice may request removal of the content, or specify a different action. When a copyright or license owner submits a notice in accordance with international law, ResearchGate will comply with their request. If there are repeat instances of infringement, ResearchGate may be required to restrict or permanently lock your account.

ResearchGate. (2022) Copyright and ResearchGate. https://explore.researchgate.net/display/support/Copyright

 


What can I do instead?

  1. Search FiNDit (or use the Library Search function within Leganto) to see if the item is held in the Library's collection
    1. You can also find resources that the library subscribes to while searching the web, using LibKey Nomad (read more at the link below). 
    2. If the Library does hold the item - add it to your Reading List using instructions in the Leganto support guide for Add journal articles, books and chapters from the Library collection (second link below). 
  2. If the Library does not hold the item - try searching for the resource via an open access platform like Unpaywall
    1. Unpaywall is an open database of free scholarly articles that have been legally uploaded by their authors with permission from the relevant publishers. 
    2. If you locate the resource via open access, add it to your Reading List using instructions in the Leganto support guide for External websites and other materials (fourth link below). 
  3. If you are unable to locate the resource on any acceptable sites, follow the instructions at the second link below, under the section Ask the library to source a new item and the Library will request it for you through our Resource Sharing service. 

Please contact the Library at readinglists@nd.edu.au if you have any questions.