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Search Articles With OpenAlex

The OpenAlex API allows searches similar to a search engine, making boolean queries possible.

Tip

OpenAlex supports the use of parentheses in queries.
You can group keywords by wrapping them in parentheses across different keyword fields.

Use the query preview to confirm that your search is structured correctly.

Screenshot showing a query using parentheses

Creating a basic query​

  1. To search using OpenAlex, first go to the Search screen.
Screenshot showing the search screen selected on the navigation bar
  1. Tap the Articles toggle button.
Screenshot showing the article search toggle button active
  1. Tap the OpenAlex toggle button.
Screenshot showing the OpenAlex toggle button active
  1. To add a keyword, tap the Add keyword button. If more than one keyword is added, boolean operators will appear.
Screenshot showing the add keyword button
  1. In the keyword text field, type in a keyword. To delete a keyword, tap the trash can icon.
Screenshot showing the keyword text field
Tip

If multiple words are entered in a single keyword text field, the words will be "ANDed" by OpenAlex.

  1. Tap the search Screenshot showing the search button button to send your query.

Search options​

Search in​

  • Everything → Searches across titles, abstracts and fulltext
  • Title and abstract → Searches across titles and abstracts
  • Title → Searches using titles only
  • Abstract → Searches using abstracts only

Sort by​

  • Display name → The title of the paper
  • Cited by count → The number of times a paper was cited by another
  • Publication date → The date of publication

Sort order​

  • Ascending
  • Descending

Save this query​

Toggling this option reveals a text field. If a name is entered, the query will be saved and reusable in the library screen. The saved queries can also have their results included the main feed.