Elbow Patches To Eye Patches: A Phenomenographic Study Of Scholarly Practices, Research Literature Access, And Academic Piracy

Abstract:  Changes to academic publishing in the form of digital technologies and copyright law over the late 20th century have created increasing roadblocks for scholars to consistently and conveniently access research literature in their pursuit of scholarly work. As a result, academic pirate networks (APNs) such as Sci-Hub and Library Genesis have risen to fulfill the unmet needs of scholars. This study examined the experiences of scholars using APNs with a focus on how scholars make sense of their experiences with participating on APNs. By identifying meanings that scholars attributed to their participation on these networks, the study clarifies how these scholars connected their experiences on these networks with their identities as scholars. Twenty-five participants were interviewed and their transcripts were analyzed using phenomenographic methods to draw out similarities and differences in participant’s sensemaking of engaging on these platforms. The analysis identified three categories that framed participants’ understanding of their usage on APNs: as a tool, as a space of community, as a place of scholarly praxis. These findings demonstrate how scholars may move from a transactional to a transformational relationship with APNs and take into consideration the different challenges of scholarly practice in the 21st century. Findings included that the use of APNs was driven, not just by convenience of access, but by ideological resistance to the perceived exploitative nature of current academic publishing practices and associated social, geographical and institutional inequities in access to research literature. Some indicated that these networks serve as the legitimate place of scholarly exchange. In particular, the deeper their usage and awareness of these platforms, the more scholars found community and actively resisted the traditional academic publishing regime. These factors also contributed to their willingness to invest in and support these platforms.