OvidSP New Interface: Now available @ UJ

Finally we have the new Ovid/SilverPlatter (OvidSP) interface.

The two Bibliographic databases relevant to the Sciences are:

- Analytical Abstracts (1 user at the time), Coverage: 1980-2008

- Parasitology (1 user at the time), Coverage: 1973 - 2008

Access is available through the UJ Library Databases

Analytical Abstracts is the world's most comprehensive abstracts service dealing solely with analytical chemistry. It contains references to articles from more than 3000 journals, with coverage beginning in 1980.
CAB Parisitology includes all relevant records from the CAB ABSTRACTS database, corresponding to selections from a number of abstract journals in the CABI range. Subject areas:

- diagnosis of parasitic infections and vector-borne diseases.
- pathology and pathogenesis of parasitic infections and vector-borne diseases.
-therapy of parasitic infections and vector-borne diseases - including drug therapy, immunization, immunotherapy, and surgical interventions.

Interface characteristics:
* Basic Search:

OvidSP's Basic Search is a natural language search. Enter your search terms and click the Search button. OvidSP posts results to your search history. In addition, OvidSP's Basic Search tab makes it easy for you to apply limit criteria to your searches.
* Advanced Search:

When you select the Advanced Ovid Search tab, keyword searching is the default search type of the command line. The Advanced Ovid Search tab offers these search types: Keyword Author Title Journal
* Find Citation:

OvidSP's Find Citation tab lets you submit fielded data to retrieve specific journal article citations.

* Search Fields:

From the Search Fields tab, you can view all indexed fields of a database. You can also browse for other fields to search in the index display. OvidSP displays the fielded index with the term you entered.
* Search Tools:

OvidSP provides tools that let you discover more about the relationship between terms and subjects within the context of the database in which you are searching.

* Search History

Under each search option, there is an Search History tab. It keeps you aware of all searches you have done during that session.

* Saved Searches/Alerts

You need to create your personal account

* Help Options:

You have three options to learn more about the databases:

- Help (if you are, for example on the Basic Search screen and have problem, click on Help for instructions)

- Database Field Guide - provide information on the database you currently search

- Display Knowledge - a list of 347 available answers (RSS feed programs compatible with OvidSP; Is there a way to enter multiple email addresses for eTOC email alerts?; Setting up eTOCs for other users, etc.)
* Log off - don't forget to "log off" each time you finish your search. Keep in mind that we have an 1 users licence.

OvidSP- Now Live!

Ovid Publishers have announced that on 25th of October 2007 a newly designed platform will come live. The new OvidSP is designed for speed, simplicity, and precision. OvidSP takes all the sophisticated search functionallity of both Ovid Gateway and SilverPlatter WebSPIRS features and tools to give you a simplified, streamlined search experience.

Simplified, intuitive interface

- Multiple search modes: It accomodates all types of searchers - from the beginners to the more advanced. The end-users can choose their prefered search style: Basic; Ovid/SilverPlatter Syntax; Find citation; Search tools; Search fields.

- Natural language searching: Available in the Basic search, it allows users to enter any search term or question - no need for special syntax!

- Clean intuitive interface design: The platform's look-and-feel is fresh and contemporary. New features and tools can help you work quickly and easy

Powerful, trusted precision search technology

- Advanced search functionality: OvidSP retains all of the best features and functionality of both Ovid Gateway and SilverPlatter WebSPIRS, including thesauri, subject headings, term mapping, limits, and more.

- Simultaneous searching across all content types: Quickly and easy search book, databases, and journals at the same time.

- Fast, flexible results management: OvidSP is designed to support the way you work. Organize and analyze your search results with simple, time-saving tools.

Enhanced research workflow tools

- Search refinement tools: Easily identifiable in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, the Search Aid section provides greater search transparency and allows you to refine initial searches: Follow the research trail; Narrow or broaden search; Search related authors and journals;

-Inline abstracts: Citation abstracts are now on the same page as your result. Expand or collapse abstracts for easy viewing.

- Annotations: Create, view, and edit search results annotations, marked by yellow icons. Annotations always stay with your results.

- Content updates delivered via RSS or email: Customized alerting mechanisms help you stay current on the latest research: eTOCS – Electronic tables of contents track changes in a specific journal’s table of contents. AutoAlerts - Get saved searches delivered automatically whenever new articles match your search criteria become available.

- Sortable search results: Use a simple pull-down box to re-sort results based on available fields—by database name, unique identifier, and more.
- Search Results Manager feature: Now located in the left-hand side of the screen for easier access as you conduct your searches, this feature lets you save, email, and print your results. Plus, you can change the number of results displayed on each page.
- Find Similar Articles feature: Link to related articles from a search result’s complete reference display.
- De-duplication of multi-file results: Eliminate repetitive results automatically when you’re searching multiple databases.

For more information visit: http://www.ovid.com

Why should you know about these changes:

UJ Library & Information Services subscribes to SilverPlatter WebSPIRS databases. The databases relevant to the Science community are:

* Analytical Abstracts

* Applied Science & Technology

* Parasitology Database