Georgia's Virtual Library...bringing quality content to you!

GALILEO Help

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Can I be alerted by e-mail when new results for a specific search are added to a database?

Alternate Question(s):
• How do I create a search alert?

Answer

Many databases offer search alerts, a feature that allows users to be notified by e-mail when new results for a specific search have been added to a database. You can set search alerts in databases by the following vendors or in the following databases:

EBSCOhost
ProQuest
Current Contents Connect (ISI)

EBSCOhost

To set up a search alert:

  1. Conduct a search.
  2. Click the "Alert / Save / Share" link in the upper right.
  3. Click "Create an alert."
  4. If you have not already logged in to your personal account, you will be prompted to sign in. Enter your user name and password, or create a new account by clicking on the "I'm A New User" link.
  5. The "Create or Edit Saved Searches" screen appears.
  6. Complete the information form to indicate the name and description of the search
  7. Click the "Alert" radial button."
  8. Select how often the search will run, how recent the included articles should be, and the alert's duration.
  9. Choose the brief or detailed citation format for the alert.
  10. Choose whether or not to limit EBSCOhost access to only those articles sent with the alert.
  11. Click the "Email all alerts and notices" radial button and enter the e-mail address(es) for delivery of your alert results with a semicolon between multiple addresses.
  12. Enter the subject line for the alert e-mail notification.
  13. Enter a title for the alert. (Defaults to: EBSCOhost Alert Notification.)
  14. Enter an e-mail address for the alert to come from, to alert the recipient.
  15. Select your preferred e-mail format. (Plain Text or HTML).
  16. Choose whether to include the query string and/or frequency information in the alert e-mail.
  17. Click "Save."

ProQuest

To set up a search alert:

  1. Conduct a search in either the "Basic" or "Advanced" search screen.
  2. Click the "Set up Alert" button.
  3. The "Set up Your Search Alert" window appears. Select the schedule to indicate the frequency with which you would like to receive the alert.
  4. In the "Stop after" field, select how long the search alert should run.
  5. Enter the e-mail address you want the alert notification(s) delivered to and any information you want included in your message in the "Message" field.
  6. Click "Save."

Current Contents Connect (ISI)

To set up a search alert:

  1. Conduct a search in Current Contents Connect.
  2. On the results screen, click on the "Search History" tab.
  3. Mark the check box for the search(es) you want to save and click "Save History."
  4. At the prompt, log in to ISI Web of Knowledge or register for a new account. (You may also log in at any time during your session by clicking the "Home" button.)
  5. Enter a "History Name" to identify the search.
  6. If you wish to receive a description of the search in your e-mail message, enter the information in the "Description" field.
  7. Mark the "Send Me Alerts" check box.
  8. Select "Alert Type" and "E-mail Format."
  9. Select "E-mail Frequency" (Daily, Weekly, or Monthly).
  10. Click "Save."

If you use a feed aggregator, or feed reader, please note the orange RSS icons in EBSCO and ProQuest databases that will allow you to receive these updates through your reader.

Related question: How can I find out when a new issue of a journal has been added to a database?

Additional
Information

Other questions in this category: Searching & Citing

Keywords: Search alerts

Last Updated: 02/06/09 3:10 pm