How to Obtain the Code of an Academic Paper
Academic research often involves complex algorithms, models, and scripts that can be invaluable for replication and further research. If you are looking to access the code behind an academic paper, there are several effective strategies you can employ. This article will guide you through each step to find the research code associated with any academic paper.
Check the Papers Repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
Many researchers openly share their code on popular version control platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. When you come across a paper, check for a link to the code in the paper itself. If you cannot find a direct link, visit the author's profile on these platforms to see if they have uploaded the code or any related repositories.
Supplementary Materials
Journals and publishers often provide supplementary materials that can include the research code. Look for a dedicated section or link in the paper where the authors mention supplementary files, datasets, or other related resources. Check the journal’s website where the paper is published, as they may have a section for supplementary materials linked directly from the paper’s abstract or details page.
Contact the Authors
If the code is not publicly available, a direct request to the authors can often yield positive results. Most researchers are enthusiastic about sharing their work and code, especially if the request is genuine and shows genuine interest in the subject matter. Send an email to the authors, explaining your purpose, and request a copy of the code. Be professional and concise in your approach.
Check Preprint Servers (arXiv, ResearchGate)
Preprint servers like arXiv often host papers along with their associated code. Look through the preprint's section for any mentions of code or datasets. If the paper was posted on a preprint server, the authors may have included links to their code repositories or mentioned where you can find it.
Search for Citations
Other researchers may have cited the original work, which can sometimes be a repository for the code. Use citation databases like Google Scholar to find papers that reference the original work. Often, these papers will provide additional information or links to the original research code.
Look for Conferences or Workshops
Some conferences and workshops have dedicated pages where researchers share their research codes, datasets, and other resources. If the paper was presented at a conference or workshop, check the events website for such resources. These pages often feature shared material in an organized manner, making it easier to find what you are looking for.
Use Code Search Engines
Websites like Papers with Code specialize in indexing academic papers alongside their associated code, making it easier to search for and find relevant research code. This platform categorizes papers by topic and provides direct links to the associated code repositories, ensuring a straightforward approach to your search.
By employing these strategies, you should be able to find the research code associated with most academic papers. Access to the code can greatly enhance your understanding of the research, facilitate its reproducibility, and open up new avenues for your own work.
Additional Tips
For college-specific research codes, it is often useful to reach out to your professor or the department responsible for the course. In some colleges, there may be departmental codes or standards that are unique to the educational institution's research projects.