PubMed Central facts for kids
PubMed Central is a special online library where you can find lots of free scientific articles. It focuses on health and biology. Think of it like a huge digital bookshelf filled with important research papers that anyone can read.
This online library was created by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It helps people around the world access important scientific discoveries easily.
What is PubMed Central?
PubMed Central is a free database that stores full-text articles from many different scientific journals. It's different from other databases because you can read every word of the articles without paying. This is called "open access," meaning the information is freely available to everyone.
How it Works
When scientists publish their research, they often do it in journals. Some of these journals allow their articles to be added to PubMed Central. While most articles are available right away, some publishers might wait a few months (usually about six months) before their articles appear on PubMed Central. This short delay is called an "embargo period." After this time, the articles become completely free to read.
Why is it Important?
PubMed Central is very important for students, researchers, and anyone interested in health and science. It provides a reliable place to find up-to-date information on topics like new medicines, diseases, and how our bodies work. Because it's free and easy to use, it helps spread scientific knowledge widely.
Usage and Impact
PubMed Central is a very popular resource. In 2004, it was getting about 1,300 visits every second! This shows how many people rely on it to find scientific information. It also shares a huge amount of data every day, proving its role as a major hub for scientific literature.
See also
- Open access
- PubMed
