Anyone got these papers, or a good source?

  • Thread starter Thread starter OJFord
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Papers Source
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a student in accessing scientific papers for essays on the history of electricity and electromagnetism, as well as British Engineering. Participants explore potential sources for obtaining academic papers and share their experiences with accessing research materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster expresses difficulty in finding and accessing specific papers, particularly 'The Diaspora of British Engineering' by Buchanan, which is priced at $24.
  • One participant suggests using JSTOR, noting it has a large database of papers and that the student's library should have subscriptions to various journals.
  • The original poster mentions that their library is small and lacks subscriptions to scientific journals, limiting their access to relevant materials.
  • Another participant reflects on their own experience, stating that they typically find papers on JSTOR to be free, indicating a potential discrepancy in access.
  • The original poster acknowledges the suggestion about JSTOR and expresses a willingness to search for other free or inexpensive resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of free papers on JSTOR, as experiences vary. The original poster's situation highlights a lack of access, while others suggest JSTOR typically offers free resources.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations regarding library resources and subscription access, as well as the variability in individual experiences with academic databases.

OJFord
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
I'm an A level student, and one that doesn't usually write much in school other than the odd word between squiggles and numbers. (I'm studying maths, further maths, physics and electronics.)

But now I find myself in the position of writing two different essays, which should be good, as it's an opportunity to actually write something longer which could otherwise become a forgotten skill...

So my problem, I've been searching around for material to read - I should say at this point that one essay is on the history of electricity and electromagnetism, the other on British Engineering.


I've never really had the call to read any scientific papers before - I do have (and have read and understood what I could at the time) Maxwell's On Physical Lines of Force, and Newton's Principia.

But clearly those are famous, widely-celebrated works - and were not difficult for me to come across and access. I bought OPLF very cheaply from Amazon (about £1), and Principia is available for free as a .pdf.


Now, I have found and read extracts of some papers that I'd like to read for background and sources for these essays - but some of them I just can't seem to get hold of.


One in particular, 'The Diaspora of British Engineering' by Buchanan, has been especially annoying. I can only find it on one site - which wants $24 for a .pdf of the 20page article.

As a student just trying to write an essay, I both can't afford that, nor think it should have to be that way!


Is there something I'm missing? How does one both find out about, and get hold of a copy, good papers?

Or does everyone worth their salt live/work near a massive copyright library, or at least one that stocks scientific papers and journals?


Thanks,
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Have you tried JSTOR? It has a massive database of papers you can access. Also since you are a student, your library should be subscribed to all kinds of journals.
 
DeadOriginal said:
Have you tried JSTOR? It has a massive database of papers you can access. Also since you are a student, your library should be subscribed to all kinds of journals.

That was the one place I found The Diaspora of British Engineering that I mentioned charged $24. Forgot to specify.

Seems like a solid enough idea, I just can't afford it!

And no, as I said I'm a sixth form student, the library is fairly small in the grand scheme of things, probably more than 50% fiction, and of what's left obviously only a fraction is scientific, and even less would be relevant. They also don't hold any subscriptions, just books.
 
Interesting...

I have never been in that sort of predicament before. All of the papers I find on JSTOR are usually free. Maybe someone else can give you some advice.
 
DeadOriginal said:
Interesting...

I have never been in that sort of predicament before. All of the papers I find on JSTOR are usually free. Maybe someone else can give you some advice.

Ah that is helpful though, thanks.

I sort of disregarded looking for anything else on JSTOR assuming everything would be similarly priced.

I will see what else I can find that looks useful for free/cheap.


Thanks.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
10K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K