Databases of the week
Week 6
OpenAlex: Open data for research
OpenAlex is a bibliographic database of scientific output, comparable to Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Dimensions. With more than 260 million indexed items (the most of all the mentioned databases), including publications, citations, authors, journals, and institutions, OpenAlex provides an inclusive and freely accessible alternative. It was established in 2022 by the non-profit organization OurResearch. The name OpenAlex refers to the ancient Library of Alexandria, a center of knowledge and innovation in the 3rd century BC.
The strength of OpenAlex: content
The strength of OpenAlex lies in its broad and diverse indexing. It uses data from sources such as CrossRef, ISNI, ORCID, DOAJ, PubMed, and arXiv, and builds on the former Microsoft Academic Graph. OpenAlex includes traditional scientific articles, as well as books, datasets, policy documents, preprints, and grey literature. Moreover, the database features publications in multiple languages and from underrepresented regions such as the Global South. This inclusive approach sets OpenAlex apart from commercial indexes, which often apply stricter selection criteria and emphasize publications in high-impact English-language journals.
For libraries, organizations, and researchers
For libraries and organizations, OpenAlex offers a solution in an era of Open Research Information. Institutions can save costs, as the database itself is free, and its API and code are also freely shared. For researchers, OpenAlex means transparent and unrestricted access to academic information. With tools such as metadata analysis and links to Open Access publications, OpenAlex supports both individual researchers and large research institutions.
How to search in OpenAlex?
The OpenAlex interface is user-friendly and offers extensive search and filtering options. Users can search for publications, authors, institutions, or topics and apply filters based on publication year, document type, geographical region, Open Access status, and more. OpenAlex also allows publications to be filtered based on relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Limitations
OpenAlex provides free access and an inclusive indexing strategy, but the database also has limitations: the quality of metadata can vary, as can the reliability of some sources. Additionally, compared to Web of Science or Scopus, OpenAlex currently offers only limited support for systematic reviews. For instance, OpenAlex lacks a thesaurus and export options to reference managers. Nevertheless, OpenAlex deserves attention for its transparency and flexibility, making it a strong alternative to commercial bibliographic databases.