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SPORTDiscus: Saving searches and alerts

Use this guide to help you search SPORTDiscus more effectively and to find out how to manage your search results. After reading this introductory page, click each heading in the following row of tabs:

What are saved searches and alerts?

Saved searches:

  • SPORTDiscus provides the option to save a search so that you can re-run it at a later date and retrieve an updated set of results. 
  • By saving your search, you create a record of your keywords and when you re-run the same search, you won't need to enter the keywords again (though you have the option to edit/adapt your original keywords).


Email alerts: 
To help you maintain current awareness of your topic, SPORTDiscus also provides the option to set up an email alert that will inform you of:

  • New articles on your topic that have been indexed by the database since your original search (i.e. based on your keywords).
  • The latest articles by an individual author (where their articles have been indexed by the database). To search by author, you need to change the search box's default setting from 'all fields' to 'Author - AU'.
  • The latest table of contents from a particular journal (although you may prefer to set up an alert via the relevant journal's website instead). To search for content in a specific journal, you need to change the search box's default setting from 'all fields' to 'Publication Name - SO'.

Saving searches and creating alerts

1. Run your search and then click the 3 vertical dots icon just above your search results (to the right). Options for saving your search and creating an alert then appear just below the dots.


Vertical dots icon.
Save search and alert options.
 

2. Click save search to take you to a screen that summarises the details of your search including, for example, the search terms. You'll also find an option to add a description of your search (of up to 300 characters). Then, click the Save button further down the screen (to the right).


3. Click Create Alert (the option via the 3 dots icon just above your results).  

Complete the required fields; for example, select how frequently you'd like to receive email alerts and enter the email address(es) to which the alerts should be sent. Finally, click the create alert button. 

SPORTDiscus alert.

Retrieving searches and alerts

1. Click the 'searches' option in the column in the column to the left of your search results.

2. On your 'saved' screen, you'll find two tabs: select the second tab that lists details of any searches you've saved.

Email alert.







3. To re-run a previous search, click on the relevant set of search terms presented in the list.

4. To view further details of the search strategy you employed, click the '3 dots' icon to the right and from the drop-down menu, select 'search details'. In the same menu you'll find an option for adding the search to a 'project'. Organising searches by project could prove useful if you're working on multiple assignments/projects around the same time.  

Editing or deleting alerts

1. Click the 'Alerts' option in the column to the left of your search results

2.  To change the frequency of your alert (or other settings and the description), click the 3 dots icon to the right.

Saved email alert.




 

 3. Select 'edit alert', make your changes and finally click the 'Save Changes' button.

 4. You'll also find an option for deleting an alert (just below the edit option). All alerts are deleted one year after creation.