Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does “Full Service Document Delivery” Mean?

Research Solutions does everything necessary to search, locate, retrieve and deliver your documents. Simply provide us with a list of what you need and Research Solutions does the rest! Other services may only retrieve from their own collections, their local library, or documents on specific topics (i.e. only engineering or only legal documents). However, Research Solutions has a global retrieval network built throughout the country. Once a client places an order, our resources become their resources.

Research Solutions does MORE FOR LESS! When we say “Full Service Document Delivery”, that is precisely what we mean. Our prices include the following services for which there are no additional charges:

  1. Incorrect citation correction
  2. Incomplete citation correction
  3. Regular Service documents can be cancelled within 24 hours of placing the order.
  4. 30 pages are included in our “flat” price
  5. Several delivery methods are available to the client (PDF, USPS, Fed-Ex, Fax and Special Delivery)
  6. All requested documents are cleared through the Copyright Clearance Center
  7. When the Copyright Clearance Center cannot identify the rights holder, Research Solutions pays all applicable copyright fees to the appropriate rights holders which are charged back to client
  8. Detailed information is provided to clients regarding the whereabouts of located documents to which Research Solutions has no access
  9. Access to nearly 350 databases and a huge network of libraries located throughout the world (to locate even “obscure or difficult-to-find” documents)
  10. A timely “confirmation” email verifying the specifics of each order is sent to requesters shortly after the order is placed
  11. Clients can monitor the status of their order in “real time” with our Online Document Tracking System.
  12. Research Solutions makes the cleanest possible original copies of documents
  13. Documents can be purchased directly from publishers (with client’s prior approval)
  14. Major credit cards are accepted for payment (MasterCard, VISA and American Express)
  15. “Immediate” accessibility to a friendly personal staff (by phone and email).
  16. Customized/personalized billing and invoicing.
  17. When placing an order, clients can cut and paste reference information into emails and send directly to: orders@4researchsolutions.com. Therefore, time can be saved when document requests do not have to be inputted one at a time.

Can you answer several questions that I have regarding copyrights?

The answers to the following questions reflect Research Solutions’ understanding of copyright law based upon its business experiences and a consensus of opinions from several sources (including legal ones). The answers are intended to be informative only and not meant to be viewed as any form of legal advice. The goal of Research Solutions’ Copyright Policy is to “protect all of us” against claims of copyright infringement.

Any publication or portion thereof is considered intellectual property and is protected by Federal Copyright Law. The 1976 US Copyright Act requires that permission be granted from the copyrights holder to copy and/or distribute intellectual property. For the following questions a document (often a scientific article or similar publication) is defined as any publication or any portion of which requires permission to use and may have a copyright fee (royalty) associated with it.

  1. Why do copyright fees exist?
    The original purpose of copyright fees was to fairly compensate the rights holders of created works for its authorized use.
  2. Are copyright fees charged for every document?
    No. Some documents have no copyright fees. Most others range between $10 and $33.  A few documents cost as much as $45.00 or more. A user learns whether or not a royalty is due by clearing the document through the Copyright Clearance Center.
  3. How is the actual amount of a copyright fee determined on a particular document?
    Copyright fees are set mainly by publishers. The amount of the fees is the result of input from several sources including: content users, rights holders (many of whom are not the publishers or creators of the original work) and others.
  4. Does everyone have to pay copyright fees?
    A person making an original copy of a document is liable for possible copyright infringement at the moment that copy is made. Permission to use any creative work must be granted for reproducing and/or distributing the document. There are circumstances (exceptions) that can be claimed as a defense when one is charged with copyright infringement (for example, fair use).
  5. Please help me understand the “fair use” concept as a defense against a complaint of copyright infringement?
    Notwithstanding the obligation to clear every document, a person (user) may make one original copy of protected works (essentially all works are protected) when it is used for the purposes of one’s own scholarship, research, criticism, comment, or teaching.
  6. If my business has an Annual License with the Copyright Clearance Center or with publishers directly, do I have to pay copyright fees to acquire a document?
    Annual licenses allow for the use of a document within a business after the document is acquired including subsequent copying and distribution. The license does not cover the original act of copying the protected work. All documents must be acquired lawfully (copyright-cleared).

What is the easiest way to place an order?

Requesting documents from Research Solutions is extremely simple. Clients can email the information directly to orders@4researchsolutions.com, fax the information directly to 1.530.898.9787, make a toll free phone call to 1.866.WE.FIND.IT(933.4634) and order it directly over the phone, or they can simply use our “secure online order form.”

How do I know my order has been received?

When Research Solutions receives an order from the client, we immediately input the order into our system. The system immediately assigns each item an Order ID number. The client is then sent an “Order Confirmation” via email with their assigned Order ID number(s). When clients receive the “Order Confirmation Email”, they know that their order has been received and is being processed. The client then reviews and verifies the accuracy and contents of their orders.

How can the status of an individual order or a group of orders be checked?

Research Solutions prides itself on customer service. Our staff is continuously available by phone and email. Orders are easily tracked by their Order ID numbers. Simply contact Research Solutions and give the staff member your Order ID number(s). You will have your questions answered immediately.

Or you can simply use our client-friendly "Online Document Tracking System". This system allows you to consistently monitor the status and progress of your order in "real-time" via the web.

How long does it take to get a requested document?

Research Solutions has two levels of service: Regular and ASAP Rush. Our Regular Service provides documents within 48 hours (2 business days). Our ASAP Rush Service provides documents within hours/same day/next business day. ASAP Rush documents are typically delivered the same day that they are ordered.

What if I change my mind and want to cancel or change an order?

If the order is a “Regular Order,” simply contact Research Solutions and tell us (via email or telephone) which documents you would like to cancel or change. Research Solutions will then cancel or change the appropriate item. However, documents that have been ordered using our ASAP Rush service cannot be canceled or changed.

Do I get charged for documents that are ordered but cannot be found or delivered?

No! There is no charge for requests which cannot be filled, whatever the reason may be. Research Solutions has a 91.8% fill rate, so an unfilled order is very rare! Do not hesitate to send Research Solutions your difficult or obscure requests.

Can you deliver documents in color?

Yes. Unless the original location of document (i.e. library) cannot provide the means to make a color photocopy of a document, Research Solutions can always provide color copies of the requested document. The cost is $2.00 per page.

Are there discounts for well-established clients or for bulk orders?

Yes. Research Solutions is always happy to reward our high volume clients with discounts. In addition, large projects can also be discounted. Simply contact us and let us know the scope of the project and we can discuss what discounts we can offer for that particular project. Please see our pricing page for further details.

Am I restricted as to what form or in what manner my documents can be delivered?

No. Requests can be delivered in whatever format the client desires. Our most popular method of delivery is Email. When using this method, documents are delivered in PDF Format. However, other methods of delivery are also available: FED-EX, US Postal Service, Fax, and Courier Service. Simply let us know how you would like us to deliver your orders!

What does it cost to use your service?

Research Solutions offers two levels of service: Regular and ASAP Rush. A Regular Order costs only $15.00 per document. An ASAP Rush Order costs just $25.00 per document. These are delivered prices for any document up to 30 pages in length. There are simply no additional fees other than applicable copyright fees. In addition, Research Solutions can also undertake special projects and custom searches for $65-$95 per hour. Please see our pricing page for further details.

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