Persistent Links in Databases

Sometimes you need to capture a link to an electronic resource to use later or to share with others. In this case, your best bet is to use the persistent link (i.e., permalink) which is a stable, fixed link that can be copied and then pasted in your browser’s address bar. Many databases provide persistent links to their records. A few examples are given below:

– In MSK Library’s OneSearch, first search for an item, then in the results list click on the ellipsis (…) in the upper right corner of the record. Next, click on the permalink (paper clip) icon, and copy the URL from the box that appears under the icon. You can also click on the item title and look for Export To > Permalink in the record window.

– In CINAHL (EBSCO), the permalink icon can be found on the right hand side of each record. In many subscription databases, such as EBSCO databases, this link can be used only when the user is on the subscribed institution IP network (on campus or VPN)  or using the library’s remote access.

-In other databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, the URL for the individual record can be copied from the browser’s address bar. You can copy the individual record URL and the direct URL link to your search. In PubMed it’s easy to create your own permalink. Simply take the address (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) and add the article PubMed ID (PMID) to the end.

NOTE: Not every database will provide these features. You can always explore the possibility of capturing URLs either by looking for a persistent link (or permalink) or by trying to capture the record/search URL to see whether this link can be re-used.

Should you have any questions regarding persistent links, don’t hesitate to ASK US!

Read Thousands of Medical Textbooks ONLINE!

Even though the medium has changed, the MSK Library still provides access to thousands of textbooks to our users. To locate a specific textbook, you can start at the Library Website, and look for the search box under ONESEARCH for “Books and More” which will search across our print and electronic book collection. Note: This method is not meant to browse our collection.

To browse eBooks that the library subscribes to, there are a variety of sources and platforms. The following are just a few you can access.

  • AccessMedicine and AccessSurgery, where you can discover a large array of major clinical textbooks (e.g. Harrison’s, Fitzpatrick’s, Goodman & Gillman’s, Hurst’s, Schwartz’s, and William’s). These two platforms also have a variety of other resources and tools for clinicians and you can search across the platform or within a specific text. Chapters can be individually saved and printed.
  • STATRef! is another platform that includes a large number of textbooks (e.g. 8th Edition of the AJCC Staging Manual, Decker, ICD-10, Merck Manual, and Red Book).
  • Wiley Online Library houses 22,000 eBooks covering 60 different subject areas.

Have a question regarding MSK eBook collections or want to learn about other available eBook platforms, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Article Usage Count in Scopus and Web of Science

It is well known that the number of times an individual journal article is cited is one of the top metrics of scholarly impact. Still, there are other metrics which may be useful in determining the popularity of an article. One such metric is item usage statistics. In electronic resources, usage statistics may show different aspects of access and usage, for example, number of downloads, abstracts views, etc. Some databases (ex., Scopus, Web of Science) offer limited usage metrics in each record.

In Scopus, usage count is provided via PlumX Metrics (featured in a previous Library blog post). Click on the PlumX Metrics icon located in the right upper corner of each Scopus record to see article metrics, including some usage statistics, as well as exposure of the article in social media.

In Web of Science usage count is built in and provided for each article. Search results can be sorted by usage.

To see the usage count for an article, click on its title in the search result list and scroll down.The usage count can be found on the right hand pane of the record.