Portal Research Guide

User Guide

The ECUSTA Research Portal aggregates over 250 million open-access papers, preprints, datasets, and eBooks into a single unified interface. Here is how to get the most out of it:

1. Global Search

By default, submitting a query on the homepage or search page queries eight major indices simultaneously: OpenAlex, PubMed, arXiv, CrossRef, Semantic Scholar, DOAJ, Open Library, and NADRE. This ensures you never miss a relevant paper.

• Filtering: Use the sidebar on the Search page to filter by Publication Year or Sort by Citation Count.
• Targeted Search: Use the dropdown next to the search bar to restrict your query to a specific index (e.g., only PubMed for medical research).

2. Saving to Local Library

You can seamlessly curate your own collection of research via the Save button on any result. Your saved papers are stored entirely locally in your browser, requiring no database or account, ensuring privacy and speed.

• Click Save to add.
• Navigate to the Saved tab in the navigation bar to view, manage, and read your library.
• Export your entire library instantly to BibTeX or RIS formats for use in EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley.

3. Generating Citations

Click the Cite button on any research card to automatically generate and copy an APA-formatted citation instantly to your clipboard. You can paste this directly into your bibliography or essay.

4. Premium Institutional Databases

ECUSTA students and faculty can access licensed datasets and closed-access journals (like JSTOR or WHO IRIS) by visiting the Databases directory. You must sign in with your ECUSTA institutional Google account (@ecusta-hli.edu.et) to view the restricted links.