Ever wonder if you could target your scientific literature searches to open access-only publications? Or wish you could target your search to retrieve highly relevant sources without losing that easy-to-use, Google-esque experience? If so, give FreeFullPDF a try the next time you find yourself wading into the great abyss of online searching.

FreeFullPDF uses a customized Google algorithm that searches only open access articles, patents, posters, and theses. Upon clicking on a result, you are immediately brought to the PDF document, eliminating the added steps of navigating a publisher site and finding a PDF or full text link manually. What’s even more relevant to the MSK user community is that FreeFullPDF searches all scientific disciplines, including life sciences, health sciences, physics and engineering, as well as the social sciences.

After running a search, the database is categorized into 5 tabs for easy toggling between different types of PDF content: ALL, ARTICLE, PATENT, POSTER, and THESIS. Since this resource is powered by Google and uses a tailored algorithm, it has the look and feel of a Google interface which many searchers (from novice to expert) are comfortable with. This makes it easy for searchers of all skill levels to get the most out of FreeFullPDF.