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SSRN: Social Science Research Network

The Social Science Research Network (SSRN) is a repository devoted to the rapid dissemination of scholarly research in the social sciences and humanities. It is widely used by researchers, academics, and students to access a vast array of working papers, preprints, and published articles.

History

SSRN was founded in 1994 by Michael C. Jensen and Wayne Marr with the aim of providing a platform for the early distribution of research findings. Initially focused on finance, SSRN has since expanded to cover a wide range of disciplines including economics, law, political science, and more.

Structure and Content

SSRN is organized into specialized research networks that cover various disciplines. These networks include:

• Economics Research Network (ERN)
• Financial Economics Network (FEN)
• Legal Scholarship Network (LSN)
• Corporate Governance Network (CGN)
• Political Science Network (PSN)

Each network hosts a collection of working papers, preprints, and published articles. Researchers can upload their work to SSRN, making it accessible to a global audience.

Access and Usage

SSRN provides free access to its database of papers, although some content may require registration. Users can search for papers by author, title, abstract, or keywords. The platform also offers email alerts and RSS feeds to keep users updated on new research in their areas of interest.

Impact and Importance

SSRN is considered one of the largest open-access repositories in the world. It plays a crucial role in the dissemination of research, allowing scholars to share their findings quickly and receive feedback from the academic community. The platform is particularly valuable for early-stage research, enabling authors to refine their work before formal publication.

Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its popularity, SSRN has faced criticism regarding its business model and the quality control of uploaded papers. Some scholars argue that the lack of peer review can lead to the dissemination of low-quality research. However, SSRN's role as a pre-publication platform is generally well-regarded for fostering academic discussion and collaboration.

Acquisition by Elsevier

In 2016, SSRN was acquired by Elsevier, a leading provider of scientific, technical, and medical information. This acquisition raised concerns about the future of open access on the platform, but SSRN has continued to operate as an open-access repository under Elsevier's ownership.

Also see

• Open Access
• Preprint
• Academic Publishing
• ResearchGate
• arXiv