What's an AutoAlert?
An AutoAlert is a saved search strategy that runs automatically without any intervention on your part. When you save your search strategy as an AutoAlert in any database, the AutoAlert profile retrieves any newly-added documents (truncated at 200 citations) on your topic and emails them to you the day that database has been updated.
Search Strategy
To establish an AutoAlert compose a search strategy in a desired database then select Save Search/Alert. The strategy should not prevent retrieval of documents to be added to the database in the future. For example, it should not restrict retrieval to a past date range. You do not need to limit your search to latest update. AutoAlert will automatically provide this limit for you. We also recommend that you consult a Hardin Reference Librarian (lib-hardin@uiowa.edu or 319/335-9151) for help with strategies for specific databases or for complex searches.
Setting up your AutoAlert
1. Select the database you wish to have automatically searched.
2. Formulate your search strategy as usual and apply limits. Do not limit to latest update. Your last search statement should define your strategy as accurately as possible.
3. Click on Save Search History
4. If you haven't already created a Personal Account, click on the Create a new Personal Account link.
5. Fill in all the boxes to create a Personal Account and click Create.
6. Under Type select AutoAlert (SDI).
7. Type in a Search Name for your search and include a comment to help remind you of the topic.
8. Enter Recipient's Email Address and Email Subject.
9. Chose a Report Type.
10. Under Results Format select OVID for general use or Reprint/Medlars if you plan to import your citations into a bibliographic citation management package (RefWorks, EndNote, Reference Manager, etc.)
11. Indicate primary and secondary Sort order if desired.
12. Click on Save.
Testing your AutoAlert
Select Saved Searches/Alerts from the Main Menu bar.
If not already logged in, you will be prompted for your Personal Account Name and Password.
Select the search you would like to test and click the Run button.
You should receive an email within a few minutes.
Editing your search strategy
If your AutoAlert is not giving you the desired results you may need to edit your strategy.
To do this select Saved Searches/Alerts from the Main Menu bar.
If not already logged in, you will be prompted for your Personal Account Name and Password
Select the strategy you want to modify and click on the Edit icon.
From this screen you can
Click Save.
Canceling your AutoAlert
Select Saved Searches/Alerts from the Main Search Screen.
If not already logged in, you will be prompted for your Personal Account Name and Password
Click on the strategy to be deleted.
Click the Delete button.
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