openalex-database

Query and analyze scholarly literature through the OpenAlex database API.

557|98|Updated Nov 7, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jimmc414/Kosmos --skill openalex-database-jimmc414
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: openalex-database
Source: https://github.com/jimmc414/Kosmos/tree/main/kosmos-claude-scientific-skills/scientific-skills/openalex-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jimmc414/Kosmos --skill openalex-database-jimmc414

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires requests, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill addresses the challenge of navigating and analyzing the vast landscape of academic literature, enabling researchers to efficiently find, analyze, and synthesize scholarly information.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Comprehensive Literature Search: Query over 240 million scholarly works by keywords, authors, institutions, and topics.
  • Bibliometric Analysis: Track publication trends, identify highly cited papers, and analyze research output.
  • Open Access Discovery: Easily find freely available research papers.
  • Use Case: A researcher needs to find all papers on "quantum computing" published by MIT authors in the last five years, sort them by citation count, and identify the top research topics.

Quick Start

Use the openalex-database skill to find the 10 most cited papers on "CRISPR gene editing" published after 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions about openalex-database

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I search for academic papers using the OpenAlex API?

You can search for academic papers by querying the OpenAlex API directly via HTTP requests. This allows you to filter over 240 million scholarly works by keywords, authors, institutions, and publication topics to retrieve targeted research results.

Can I perform bibliometric analysis and track citation counts for open access literature?

Yes, bibliometric analysis is fully supported. You can track publication trends, identify highly cited papers, and analyze research output specifically within open access literature by querying the OpenAlex database through Python requests.

What is the best way to find highly cited publications from specific institutions?

The best way to find highly cited publications from specific institutions is to query the OpenAlex database. You can filter scholarly works by author affiliation and sort the retrieved results by citation count to identify top research outputs.

Do I need the requests library to analyze research trends with OpenAlex?

Yes, you need the Python requests library to interact with the OpenAlex database API. It serves as the core dependency for sending queries and retrieving the scholarly metadata required to analyze research trends.

How does OpenAlex compare to other academic search databases for literature reviews?

OpenAlex provides a comprehensive open access database of over 240 million scholarly works. Unlike paid alternatives, it facilitates unrestricted literature review and bibliometric analysis, tracking citations and research trends without subscription barriers.

What are the limitations of using OpenAlex for bibliometric analysis?

OpenAlex bibliometric analysis is limited to the metadata provided by its API. While it covers 240 million scholarly works, the accuracy of citation tracking and identifying open access publications depends entirely on the completeness of the indexed database records.