What are search alerts? How do I set up alerts to receive the latest articles on a given topic?
Answer
Most databases allow you to conduct a search and set up an alert to notify you any time an article that fits your search criteria is added to the database. Although the process for setting up these alerts differs from database to database, most databases require you to have an account.
In PubMed, run your search, then click Create Alert under the search bar. Or, in Advanced Search, click the three dots next to your search string and then click on Create Alert. Set your parameters, including the frequency of the alerts and the total number of articles you wish to receive.
In Ovid databases, run your search, then click on the Create Auto-Alert button under the search history. Name your search/alert and set your scheduling and delivery options.
In Web of Science, run your search, then click on Create Alert from the results page. Or, from the Advanced Search Query Builder, click on the bell next to your final search query and click Create Alert.
Once you have named and created the alert, you can manage the frequency of the emails by clicking on the bell from the left menu, finding your search and clicking on More Options
Other databases will have their own variations of these procedures. Look for words like "alert" or "email".