“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.”
~Sir Francis Bacon
One of the key parts of the success of human civilizations has been their ability to pass on knowledge from one group to the another; from one generation to the next. The same can be said for success in development. Much of this knowledge can be found in the professional and academic journals published throughout the world by many institutions, groups and universities, which are, for the most part, mostly online. Sadly, many publishers block access unless you or your institution pays incredible sums of money (this is definitely a topic for a future post), but a good number of prestigious journals provide free access to developing countries. Horrah!!
That said, personally, I have found it difficult at times, even as a native English speaker, to find and navigate through online journals that say that they provide free access to the developing world. For this reason, below is a list of renowned academic journals providing easy, free access to individuals in the developing world. I have accessed each of these journals online from Cambodia and verified that I was able to access the full versions of the articles in the most current editions without needing any logins or pay-portals. The one exception is the NEJM, which will grant you a free subscription if you register from a developing country, but I would say the registration is well worth it as it is a highly prestigious health journal and they will deliver an e-mail addition to you every month, free of charge once you are registered. Just click on the “Register” link at the top right of the opening page and follow the instructions.
Whenever possible, we will try to blog on research from these journals so that everyone can access the full versions for reference, but sadly we cannot promise that all research will be accessible as there are many important new studies coming out in journals still making it difficult for developing/resource poor populations to access (strangely a lot of the developing economics and development journals are in this group; you think they would know better).
If you know of any other journals offering free access for developing countries for individuals (not registered institutions), please let me know and I will update the list. So here we go:
TO ACCESS THE BELOW JOURNALS JUST CLICK ON THE LINK NEXT TO THE NAME, THEN CLICK ON AN ISSUE/EDITION OF THE JOURNAL (AUGUST, JANUARY, ETC.), THEN CLICK ON THE “FULL VERSION” LINK UNDER THE ARTICLE YOU WANT TO READ. IT IS THAT EASY (except for NEJM; see above). ** BELOW LINKS WILL BE ADDED TO AND UPDATED PERIODICALLY**
Recommended
Asia-Pacific Development Journal (http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/index_apdj.asp)
A journal of UNESCAP covering all topics relating to development and aid in the Asia-Pacific Region
Information Technologies & International Development (http://itidjournal.org/itid )
An open-access journal focussing on development and the utilization of information technologies in development.
New England Journal of Medicine (http://www.nejm.org) *This requires registration. See mention earlier in this post.
Requires registration, but is free for those accessing from a developing country.
British Medical Journal (http://www.bmj.com)
One of the oldest and most prestigious medical journals covering a wide range of medical and health research.
Health Affairs Journal (http://www.healthaffairs.org)
The premier journal of health policy and research.
British Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (http://jech.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the fields of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Community Health.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (http://www.pnas.org)
An academic journal covering new scientific research introduced by the NAS in the fields of physical, biological, and social sciences.
Medical Humanities (http://mh.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group addressing topics and research in the human aspects of medicine including policy, experiences, and case studies.
Social Sciences
Academy of Management Journal (http://amj.aom.org)
An empirical journal dealing with topics in the field of management.
Academy of Management: Learning & Education (http://amle.aom.org)
Covers theory, models, research and critiques on learning and education in the management field.
Academy of Management Perspectives (http://amp.aom.org)
Articles and symposia that address important issues concerning management and business.
Academy of Management Review (http://amr.aom.org)
A theory development journal that publishes conceptual work being done in the field.
Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society (http://rsbm.royalsocietypublishing.org)
Publishes memoirs of past Royal Society scientists.
The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc)
Open source journal of the City University of Hong Kong covering issues in the design, development, implementation, management and evaluation of information systems and technologies in developing countries.
Journal of Rural and Community Development (http://www.jrcd.ca/)
An open source academic journal covering topics relating to rural and community programs in developing contexts.
Journal of Agricultural and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics ( http://www.jarts.info/index.php/jarts )
A peer reviews journal publishing research relating to agriculture and rural development for tropical regions.
General Sciences
The Plant Cell (http://www.plantcell.org)
Covering topics in plant biology.
Philosophical Transactions (http://rstl.royalsocietypublishing.org)
One of the oldest journals of the physical and life sciences. Begun in 1662 and still continuing.
Interface Focus (http://rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.org)
A journal dealing with interdisciplinary themed research on the interface between the physical and life sciences.
Advances in Physiology Education (http://advan.physiology.org)
Promotes and disseminates educational scholarship in order to enhance teaching and learning of physiology, neuroscience and pathophysiology.
Biology of Reproduction (www.biolreprod.org)
A science journal covering biological research in the field of reproduction.
Genome Research (http://genome.cshlp.org)
A scientific journal, discussing academic research in the field of genome biology.
Journal of Cell Biology (http://jcb.rupress.org)
A scientific journal covering research and developments in the field of cell biology.
Journal of Experimental Biology (http://jeb.biologists.org)
A scientific journal covering new topics and research in biological experimentation.
Journal of General Physiology (http://jgp.rupress.org/)
A scientific journal covering academic topics and research in the field of physiology.
MBio (http://mbio.asm.org)
A scientific journal covering academic research and topics in the field of microbiology.
MBoC (http://www.molbiolcell.org)
A scientific journal covering academic research and topics in the field of molecular biology.
Open Biology (http://rsob.royalsocietypublishing.org)
An open access journal of the Royal Society covering topics and research in molecular and cellular biology.
Proceedings of the Royal Society on Biological Sciences (http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/)
An academic journal covering new scientific research introduced by the Royals Society in the biological sciences field.
Veterinary Sciences
Veterinary Record (http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/)
A journal covering research and practice in veterinary medicine.
Journal of Wildlife Disease (http://www.jwildlifedis.org/)
A scientific journal covering research in wildlife diseases across the world.
Veterinary Record (http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com)
A journal covering topics in vetrinary medicine.
Health Sciences
Journal of Nutrition (http://jn.nutrition.org)
The journal of the American Society of Nutrition covering research and practice in the nutrition field.
Injury Prevention (http://injuryprevention.bmj.com)
A member of the BMJ group, this journal covers the science, policy and public health topics dealing with injury and injury reduction
Advances in Nutrition (http://advances.nutrition.org)
Covers recent research in nutrition and topics relating to its role in health and disease prevention.
BMJ Quality & Safety (http://qualitysafety.bmj.com)
A medical journal covering quality and safety in the medical/health field.
JAMIA (http://jamia.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group covering academic research in the fields of biomedicine and health informatics.
Endocrine Connections (http://www.endocrineconnections.com)
An open access journal covering all areas of endocrinology.
Medicine
General Medicine
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (http://jrsm.rsmjournals.com)
A medical journal of the Royal Society covering various topics in the medical field.
Canadian Medical Association Journal (http://www.cmaj.ca)
A general medical journal covering a variety of medical fields and topics.
Postgraduate Medical Journal (http://pmj.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group targeted to junior doctors and medical instructors.
Journal Watch: General Medicine (http://general-medicine.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of general medicine with commentaries.
Journal Watch: Physician’s First Watch (http://firstwatch.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals dealing with topics that will impact the practice of most physicians with commentaries.
Evidence-Based Nursing (http://ebn.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group critically appraising the clinical relevance of new research for nurses.
Primary Care / Hospital Care
Evidence-Based Medicine: Primary Care (http://ebm.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group critically appraising the clinical relevance of new research for primary care physicians and GPs.
Journal Watch: Hospital Medicine (http://hospital-medicine.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of hospital medicine with commentaries.
Emergency Medicine
Journal Watch: Emergency Medicine (http://emergency-medicine.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of emergency medicine with commentaries.
Emergency Medicine Journal (http://emj.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the emergency medicine field.
Pediatrics
Pediatrics (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org)
A medical journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics covering research and practice in pediatrics.
Pediatrics in Review (http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org)
A medical journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics covering treatments and guidelines in pediatric medicine.
AAP News (http://aapnews.aappublications.org)
News magazine of the American Academy of Pediatrics, covering topics in pediatric medicine and health.
AAP Grand Rounds (http://aapgrandrounds.aappublications.org)
A medical journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, covering clinical research in pediatric field.
ADC Fetal & Neonatal (http://fn.bmj.com)
An offshoot of ADC dealing with pediatric diseases of fetuses and neonates.
Journal Watch: Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (http://pediatrics.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of pediatrics and adolescent medicine with commentaries.
ADC Education & Practice (http://ep.bmj.com)
Covers the education and practice aspects for the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal. A pediatric medical journal of the BMJ group.
Neo Reviews (http://neoreviews.aappublications.org)
A pediatric medicine journal specializing in neonates. Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Archives of Disease in Childhood (http://adc.bmj.com)
A journal of pediatric medicine covering research and clinical practice for childhood diseases.
Gastroenterology / Hepatology
GUT (http://gut.bmj.com)
An international medical journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, and a member of the BMJ group.
Journal Watch: Gastroenterology (http://gastroenterology.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of gastroenterology with commentaries.
Neurology / Psychiatry
The Psychiatrist (http://pb.rcpsych.org)
A medical journal covering topics and research in psychiatric medicine.
Journal Watch: Neurology (http://neurology.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of neurology with commentaries.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, & Psychiatry (http://jnnp.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the field neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry.
Evidence-Based Medicine: Mental Health (http://ebmh.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group critically appraising the clinical relevance of new research for mental health workers and physicians.
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (http://apt.rcpsych.org)
A medical journal aimed at practicing mental health professionals who need to be kept informed of current ideas, techniques and developments in psychiatry.
British Journal of Psychiatry (http://bjp.rcpsych.org)
A medical journal dealing with topics and research in the field of psychiatry.
Practical Neurology (http://pn.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group providing practical research and instruction for those treating neurological patients.
Oncology
The Oncologist (http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org)
A medical science journal dealing with the translation of scientific research into clinical practice.
Journal Watch: Oncology and Hematology (http://oncology-hematology.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of oncology and hematology with commentaries.
Journal of Clinical Oncology (http://jco.ascopubs.org)
A medical journal, covering research and guidelines for clinical oncology.
Endocrine-Related Cancer (http://erc.endocrinology-journals.org)
A medical journal covering all varieties of research on hormones and cancer.
Respiratory Medicine
Chest (http://journal.publications.chestnet.org)
Medical journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, covering new research in chest medicine and related fields.
Thorax (http://thorax.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the field of respiratory medicine.
European Respiratory Review (http://err.ersjournals.com)
A medical journal for respiratory medical professionals, covering relevant topics.
Hematology
Hematology (http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org)
A science journal covering research in the field of hematology.
Blood (http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org)
A science journal in the field of hematology research and application.
Nephrology
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (http://cjasn.asnjournals.org)
A medical journal covering topics and research in the medical specialty of nephrology.
Journal of American Society of Nephrology (http://jasn.asnjournals.org/)
A medical journal covering clinical and research topics in the field of nephrology.
Other Medical Fields
British Journal of Sports Medicine (http://bjsm.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the field of Sports Medicine.
Journal Watch: Dermatology (http://dermatology.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of dermatology with commentaries.
Journal Watch: Women’s Health (http://womens-health.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of women’s health with commentaries.
Occupational & Environmental Medicine (http://oem.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group covering research in the fields of occupational and environmental health.
British Journal of Ophthalmalogy (http://bjo.bmj.com)
International medical journal for ophthalmology and related visual sciences.
Disease
Journal Watch: HIV/AIDS Clinical Care (http://aids-clinical-care.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field HIV/AIDS clinical care with commentaries.
Diabetes Spectrum (http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org)
The journal of the American Diabetes Association, covering topics and research relating to individualized treatment strategies and self-management education.
Disease Models & Mechanisms (http://dmm.biologists.org)
A scientific journal covering academic research in disease modeling and mechanism studies.
Diabetes (http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org)
The journal of the American Diabetes Association, covering topics and research relating to diabetes.
Diabetes Care (http://care.diabetesjournals.org)
The journal of the American Diabetes Association, covering topics and research relating to diabetes care in a clinical and community context.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (http://ard.bmj.com)
A medical journal covering research and practice concerning rheumatic disease. Part of the BMJ group.
Journal Watch: Infectious Diseases (http://infectious-diseases.jwatch.org)
Summaries of key research from other journals in the field of infectious disease with commentaries.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (http://sti.bmj.com)
A journal of the BMJ group covering research relating to sexually transmitted infections across the world.
Diagnostics and Testing
Journal of Clinical Pathology (http://jcp.bmj.com)
International medical journal dealing with diagnostics and research in the field of pathology.
Journal of Clinical Pathology (http://jcp.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the field of pathology.
DMFR (http://dmfr.birjournals.org)
A medical journal dealing with head and neck imaging in a clinical context.
American Journal of Roentgenology (http://www.ajronline.org)
A journal covering diagnostic imaging and related sciences.
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (http://www.jultrasoundmed.org/)
A medical journal covering ultra sound diagnostics in clinical contexts.
British Journal of Radiology (bjr.birjournals.org)
A medical journal dealing with topics and research in the fields radiology, oncology and related sciences.
Clinical Chemistry (http://www.clinchem.org)
Medical journal covering research and practice in the field of clinical chemistry.
Pharmacology
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (http://dtb.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics, research and evaluations dealing with the individual use and management of drug therapies.
Cutting Edge Medical Techniques and Science
Journal of Nuclear Medicine (http://jnm.snmjournals.org/)
Covering research in the developing field of nuclear medicine.
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology (http://tech.snmjournals.org)
Covering the technological side of its parent journal, the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Journal of Experimental Medicine (http://jem.rupress.org/)
Covering experiments and testing in human medicine concerning physiological, pathological, and molecular mechanisms.
Journal of Medical Genetics (http://jmg.bmj.com)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics and research in the field genetics.
Other Medical Topics
Journal of Medical Ethics (http://jme.bmj.com/)
A medical journal of the BMJ group dealing with topics relating to medical ethics in practice.
Dev Econ Health 