This section provides information about way in which you can keep up to date with research in your area, as well as keeping up to date with general research developments. Retaining and developing current awareness is not only important for your research as it develops, but will also ensure that you can continue to enjoy your research journey.
A guide summarising this page is available in PDF format. Follow the link below to download the guide:
An important part of being a researcher is knowing how you can keep in contact with others researching in your areas. Moreover, you may find that sharing information about your research activities leads to further opportunities not only for networking but also for research.
These links may be of use to you:
Many databases allow you create alerts when research is published that may be of relevance to you. These could be based on saved searches, or could be tables of contents using a service such as the British Library's ZETOC service. Creating and monitoring alerts is an easy way to keep up to date with what research is being published in your area. Some databases require you to create a personal account in order to use this feature; read the Help Guides within the database.
Some examples of databases that allow you use an alert facility are as follows:
It can be useful to create alerts from journal table of contents services. JournalTOCs supply tables of contents from thousands of journals, including Open Access and Hybrid journals.
RSS, (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary), uses web feeds to publish information about sites that are updates, for example blogs. Using an RSS feed will mean that you don't have to check your favourite websites frequently; your RSS will point you in the direction of any changes.
If a website enables RSS feeds you will see this logo: 
You may prefer to download an RSS feed reader, or you may choose to make use of RSS feeds that are a feature of your Internet browser.
In addition to online services that facilitate the building of your research network, you may also find the following helpful:
Links to help you choose the right journal or publisher for your research
The following publisher specific tools are also available.
You should always review a journal’s aims and scope before deciding where to submit.
For more on getting published see our Open Access and Sharing Research and Measuring Impact pages.