Saturday 05 April 2025
Academic codes are a vital part of scientific research, providing valuable insights and resources for scholars around the world. However, retrieving these codes can often be a challenge, especially outside of computer science. A recent study has shed light on this issue, investigating how code links in academic papers affect their discoverability on Google Scholar.
The researchers analyzed 25 papers published by Elsevier that featured GitHub links, searching for them using various strategies to see which ones were successfully retrieved by the search engine. The results showed a significant impact of code link placement on indexing accuracy.
Papers with code links embedded directly in the main text had an 80% success rate when searched on Google Scholar, while those without code links in the main text had a much lower 33% success rate. In contrast, papers that mentioned code links only in the abstract or references saw little to no improvement in retrieval rates.
The study also found that nearly all Elsevier papers retrieved with a search term including GitHub.com for 2025 contained code links in their abstracts. This highlights the importance of placing these links in this section to maximize visibility.
For scholars seeking to improve the accessibility and impact of their research, the findings suggest that strategically embedding GitHub links in abstracts and main text can be an effective strategy. However, merely listing code links in dedicated sections like Data Availability may not have the same effect.
The study’s results also raise questions about Google Scholar’s retrieval mechanisms and how they prioritize different types of information. As academic publishing continues to evolve, understanding these dynamics will be crucial for ensuring that research codes are discoverable and accessible to all scholars.
The researchers’ analysis provides valuable insights into the importance of code link placement in academic papers and its impact on search engine results. By understanding these factors, academics can better optimize their publications to maximize visibility and accessibility, ultimately advancing the sharing and utilization of research codes worldwide.
Cite this article: “Unlocking the Secrets of Code Retrieval: A Study on the Impact of GitHub Links in Academic Papers”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Academic Publishing, Github Links, Code Link Placement, Google Scholar, Retrieval Rate, Search Engine Optimization, Research Codes, Discoverability, Accessibility, Scholarly Communication.
Reference: Shi-Shun Chen, “Can We Find the Code? An Empirical Study of Google Scholar’s Code Retrieval” (2025).
