Alerting Services

Alerting services (sometimes referred to as 'current awareness services') support research efforts by regularly notifying users about new research or citation updates. By offering customisable alert settings, including frequency preferences, these platforms empower users to stay informed according to their specific requirements.

There are several types of alerting services available. The most widely used are:

Alerts are typically delivered by email or RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds. While both methods require a personal account with the provider, RSS feeds additionally require an RSS reader.

Before getting started, please note:

You will need to create a personal account with each respective provider
Steps for setting up alerts will vary among providers - look for Create an alert, Save a search or an RSS icon (, or, )
Not all databases or journals offer an alert function. If in doubt, see the 'help section' within a resource.

Table of Contents Alerts

Table of Contents (eTOC) alerts provide users with a list of articles from one or more forthcoming journal issues. These alerts are commonly set up via either an eTOC service, a database, or a journal's homepage:

eTOC Services:
- Read by QxMD - how to add journals. See the Library's eResource User Guide to learn more about Read by QxMD.
- JournalTOCS is a free service that allows users to setup alerts for over 27,000 journals that produce RSS feeds. Journals that do not produce TOC RSS feeds are not included in this service. See JournalTOCs Help for further information about JournalTOCs and instructions for setting alerts.
Databases:

Publisher or Journal Websites:
1. Search for the relevant journal homepage online
2. Email or RSS alert information is generally visible on the journal's homepage or 'About' section
3. Follow instructions to register for alerts.

Saved Search Alerts

A saved search alert automatically notifies users when new content matches their predefined search criteria. This feature eliminates the need for users to repeatedly perform the same search manually. Notifications are typically delivered via email or through the platform's notification system.

EBSCOhost databases
Ovid databases
PubMed
Library Catalogue
Google Scholar
1. Login when prompted
2. Click Create Alert
3. Enter keywords
4. Click Create Alert to save.

Citation Alerts

Citation alerts automatically inform users when a specified article or author is cited by others. This provides users with insights into the influence and impact of their publications and the work of others. Citation alerts are commonly provided within databases or search platforms featuring a citation search function. Notable examples include Google Scholar and Ovid.

Google Scholar: You will need to be logged into a Google account to use these functions.
- Article citation
  1. Find the article in Google Scholar
  2. Click on Cited by below the item
  3. Click on Create alert in the left hand sidebar
  4. Confirm your preferred email then click the Create Alert button.
- Author citation - an author's citations can only be tracked if the author has created a Google profile
  1. To find the author profile click the Google Scholar logo at the top left of screen
  2. Select Profiles from the options that appear
  3. Search for and select the required author
  4. Click the Follow button near the top of screen, to the right of author profile.

Ovid databases: creating an alert for a specified journal article or author:
1. Click on Find Citation to search for a specific article or author, or select an article from your results list.
2. Click on More and select Create Auto-Alert.
3. Fill in the Auto-Alert template with Scheduling Options, Delivery Options, Email Options and Fields required.
4. Click Save.

Support

For further information or assistance with setting up alerts, please contact the Library.

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