ERIC is a searchable digital library for education research, with bibliographic records for journal and non-journal literature dating from 1966 onward. Its collection includes journal articles, books, research syntheses, conference papers, technical reports, theses and dissertations. Advanced search and filters help narrow results to peer-reviewed material or records with full text available on ERIC; some records offer downloads. ERIC accepts both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed material, and identifies peer-reviewed records when a source has demonstrated an acceptable review process. Subject descriptors from the ERIC Thesaurus are assigned to documents; the thesaurus lists 4,578 descriptors, 7,219 synonyms and 132 dead terms, and was last updated in 2025. The API accepts HTTPS requests and can return XML, JSON or CSV. Requests default to 20 records, with the rows parameter adjustable from 20 to 200. The free service is available on the web and by API, and is administered by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Institute of Education Sciences.
Who it is for
ERIC suits educators, parents, policymakers, researchers and members of the public looking for education research. It can also serve people who need API access or subject-based discovery through its Thesaurus.
What is good
- Free access through web and API.
- Coverage includes journal and non-journal literature.
- Filters identify peer-reviewed and full-text records.
- API returns XML, JSON or CSV.
- Thesaurus descriptors support subject searching.
What to know first
- Collection selection policy limits what is included.
- Some records do not have full text available.
- Online submissions require a PDF no larger than 100 MB.
- IES grantee full text has a 12-month embargo.
Verdict
ERIC offers free discovery of a broad range of education research, with advanced search, peer-review indicators and API access. Readers should note that selection criteria shape the collection and that full text is not available for every record.
Compared on academic research databases
- Free plan
- Yes
- Full-text access
- Yes
- Advanced search
- Yes
- Subject coverage
- multidisciplinary
- Content types
- journal articles; books; research syntheses; conference papers; technical reports; policy papers
- Theses and dissertations
- Yes
- Conference proceedings
- Yes
