What is an Ovid Autoalert?

• An automatic literature search
• Citations delivered to your email address, a message sent each time the database is updated
• A method for tracking publications of specific authors
• A way to follow developments in your research areas

An Ovid AutoAlert is a saved search that runs automatically without any intervention on your part. Connect to Ovid, log in to your Ovid Personal Account and search however you would like. When you save your Search using the Save Search/Alert button, be sure to select AutoAlert (SDI). When you do this you will receive regular email updates of the new results retrieved by the search. This works in most single Ovid databases (MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, Health & Psychosocial Instruments, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, PsycINFO). The AutoAlert profile retrieves any newly added citations on your topic and emails them to you the day that database is updated.

If your AutoAlert delivers too many or too few citations, you can edit your search strategy until it retrieves a better set of citations. Simply login to Ovid, select the database in which you originally set up your AutoAlert and click on Saved Searches. On the Saved Searches page, use the checkbox to select the search you wish to edit and click on the Edit button. Then rework the search to your satisfaction and save the result as an AutoAlert.

If you want to stop receiving your AutoAlert(s), log in to your Ovid Personal Account, click on "Saved Searches" and use the checkbox(es) to select the search(es) you wish to delete. Click on Delete Searches and then confirm the delete command.

If you have any questions about Ovid's AutoAlert service, please call Reference Services at 303-724-2152 or contact us through the Ask a Librarian service.