Creating Alerts in Library Databases
Many of the library databases allow users to create an alert, which automatically notifies the user when the database has been updated with relevant content. This page provides instructions on how to set up alerts. The page is arranged by major database vendor, including EBSCO (Academic Search Premier, AgeLine, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, Communication & Mass Media Complete, Computers & Applied Sciences Complete, EconLit, ERIC, MAS Ultra, MasterFILE Premier, PsycINFO, SocINDEX with Full Text, etc.), ProQuest (ABI/Inform Global, Dissertations & Theses, ProQuest Computing, ProQuest Newspapers, and The Baltimore Sun), Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and BIOSIS Previews), CSA (Criminology: A SAGE Full-Text Collection, PAIS International, Psychology:A SAGE Full-Text Collection, and Sociology: A SAGE Full-Text Collection), and Science Direct. This list is not exhaustive. To determine whether a database includes an alerts function, please check that database's HELP section.
Creating Alerts in EBSCO Databases
Search Alerts
- Sign in to your existing account or create a new account. The "sign in link" is located at the top of the page on the right-hand side:
- From the sign in page, click on I'm a new user to create an account (or simply log in if you already have an account).
- Now that you are logged in, conduct a search as usual. (You may notice that the EBSCOhost logo on the left-hand side now says My EBSCOhost and the top right-hand corner will show your name. This indicates that you have logged in.)
- To now create an alert for this search, click on the Search History/Alerts tab available on the Results page.
- Check the Add to Search box and then click on Save Searches/Alerts.
- Click the radio button Alert and fill in all pertinent information. Note that you may choose to receive your alert through an RSS feed instead of by e-mail.
- You are now ready to receive periodic alerts when the database has been updated with new information on your topic.
Journal Alerts
- You can also create a Journal Alert to receive automatic notification each time a new issue for a selected journal title is available. Click on the Publications tab.
- You can browse for a particular title or enter a title in the search box. Once you've found the journal, check the box to the left of the title. Note that there is an RSS Feed option next to the title check box.
- Click on the journal name to open its record and then click on the Journal Alert link on the far right-hand side.
- The rest of the process is the same as the process for creating a Search Alert.
Creating Alerts in ProQuest Databases
Search Alerts
- Conduct your search in a ProQuest database.
- From the Results screen, click on Set Up Alert.
- Complete the Set up Your Alert form.
- You are now ready to receive periodic alerts when the database has been updated with new information on your topic.
Journal Alerts
- Click on the Publications tab.
- Select the journal(s) title(s) for which you want to set up an Alert.
- Open the record and click on the Set Up Alert link located on the far right-hand side.
- Complete the Set up your Publication Alert form and click on the Save button.
- You will then see a notification message saying that the alert has been created, and you will also receive confirmation by e-mail. Click on the Done button to complete the process.
Creating Alerts in Web of Science Databases (Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, BIOSIS Previews)
- Sign in to the database or, if you do not have account, click on Register to create an account.
- Once you are signed in, conduct your search in a Web of Science database. You will notice that at the top right you will see the words Signed In, along with your name.
- From the Results Screen, click on Search History.
- Click on the Save History/Create Alert button.
- Provide a name for the search and click on the Send Me E-mail Alerts box, choose an E-mail frequency, and then click on one of the Save options.
- You are now ready to receive periodic alerts when the database has been updated with new information on your topic. Notice that an RSS Feed option is also available.
Citation Alerts
- You can create a Citation Alert by selecting an article of interest and then clicking on its title.
- Open the record and click on the Create Citation Alert button on the far right-hand side.
- You will then see a confirmation screen and click on the Done button. Notice that an RSS Feed is also available.
Creating Alerts in CSA Databases (Criminology: A SAGE Full-Text Collection, PAIS International, Psychology: A SAGE Full-Text Collections, Sociology: A SAGE Full-Text Collection)
Search Alerts
- Conduct your search in a CSA database.
- From the Results Screen, either click on Alert Me or Please Log In to My Research.
- Either of these entry points will bring you to the Personal Profile Login screen. If you are a new user, click on the New Users Register Here link.
- Click on the Create Alerts link.
- Select Create RSS Feed or click on Alert Me to continue the process.
- To complete the process, fill in the information and click on Save.
- You can then Manage Searches and Alerts, including editing and viewing via the Feature Summary.
Journal Alerts
- Select a journal title and click on the title link.
- Once the record is open, click on the New Issue Alert link, located on the left-hand side.
- Complete the form and click the Save button.
- You will then be provided with a confirmation.
Creating Alerts in ScienceDirect
The ScienceDirect database provides not only Search Alerts, but also Volume/Issue Alerts, Citation Alerts, and Topic Alerts. Each is discussed below.
Search Alerts
- Log in to Science Direct or, if you have not created an account, click on Not Registered? and create an account.
- Click on the Search button...
- ...and enter your Terms. Then click on the Search button.
- Select either Save as Search Alert or Search Feed.
- Complete the Save as Search Alert form and click on Save Alert.
Citation Alerts
- Select a record from your list of results, making sure that you first look for the green-colored icon to the far left, which signifies full-text availability.
- Click on Summary Plus or Full Text + Links to open up the record. Then click on the Save as Citation Alert link. Notice the Citation Feed link.
- Complete the Save as Citation Alert form and click on Save Alert.
- You will receive a message that your choices have been saved.
- You can click on the Alerts button on the ScienceDirect page...
- ...to modify or delete Citation Alerts or to set up a Citation Feed.
Topic Alerts
- From the ScienceDirect main page, click on the Alerts button.
- Select Topic Alerts from the list of possible alerts and click on Select Topic Alerts. Notice on the far right-hand side that you can Add/Delete Topic Alerts.
- Select topic(s) of interest from the pull-down menu of Categories of Interest.
- Click on the box(es) to the left of each Topic of Interest. These Alerts are also available as RSS Feeds..
Volume/Issue Alerts
- From the ScienceDirect main page, click on the Alerts button.
- Scroll down to the Volume/Issues Alerts section. Click on the Select the Journal and Book link. Notice the Add/Delete Volume/Issue link on the far right-hand side.
- Click on the box to the left of the journal(s) you are interested in. Remember to look for the green-colored icon , which signifies that the title is available in full-text. Notice that an RSS Feed is also available. Click on the Apply button to save the Alert.
- You will then be notified that your Alert has been saved.
