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oksure

OpenAlex Research MCP Server

by oksure

find_open_access_version

Find freely available open access versions of papers, including preprints on arXiv and bioRxiv, to access full text without a subscription.

Instructions

Find freely available (open access) versions of papers, including preprints on arXiv, bioRxiv, and institutional repositories. Useful for accessing full text without a subscription.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryYesTopic query to find OA papers on. For exact phrase matching (e.g., 'privacy paradox' as a specific concept), set exact_phrase to true.
exact_phraseNoSet to true for exact phrase matching. Without this, search terms are matched independently. Use this when searching for a specific concept or multi-word term (e.g., 'privacy paradox', 'supply chain resilience').
search_fieldNoRestrict search to a specific field: 'title' (paper titles only), 'abstract' (abstracts only), or 'fulltext' (full text only). By default, searches across all fields. Cannot be combined with exact_phrase.
from_yearNoFrom publication year
source_nameNoOptional: restrict to a specific venue
min_citationsNoMinimum citation count
per_pageNoResults per page (default: 10, max: 50)
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description must fully disclose behavior. It states the tool finds OA versions but omits details like whether it checks multiple repositories, what happens if no version exists, or any rate limits or authentication needs. This leaves significant gaps.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two sentences, no redundant information, and front-loads the core purpose. Every sentence adds value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite having 7 parameters and no output schema, the description is very brief. It does not explain what the tool returns (e.g., list of links, metadata), nor does it cover edge cases or response format. This leaves the agent without full context for reliable usage.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 100% description coverage for all parameters, so the description does not need to add per-parameter details. It adds overall context (e.g., mentioning preprint sources) but does not elaborate on parameter semantics beyond the schema, resulting in a baseline score.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly defines the tool's function: finding freely available open access versions of papers, including preprints. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like search_works by focusing specifically on OA full-text access.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explains the tool is useful for accessing full text without a subscription, providing context for when to use it. However, it does not explicitly mention when not to use it or suggest alternatives, which would improve clarity.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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