There are two important methods:
(translated from InfoSphère Sciences 2014)
Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages, yet both are important to cover all sources.
Comparative Table of Collection Methods
Manual | Automatic | |
Pertinence of results |
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Time spent |
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Frequency |
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Scope |
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Most databases and several websites offer alert services.
It is often possible to choose between subscriptions by RSS feed or email alerts, in addition to subscriptions to newsletters and mailing lists.
There are also free tools for:
Some sources cannot be monitored automatically, therefore it is necessary to collect information manually.
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The following tips will help you optimize manual collection: |
A mailing, distribution, SMS, newsletter list, or listserv sends out email messages to subscribers. There are three distinct types of lists: public, semi-public, and private.
Research groups, conferences, committees, or professional associations generally use this type of tool. Usually, their website displays a box in which a user can enter their email address in order to subscribe.
Following experts on social media is also a way to keep up-to-date, participate in, and comment on scientific news.
Whether via a blog, chat room, or even a microblog, the information disseminated, which is transmitted in real time and does not follow a journal publishing process, is relevant to staying in touch with what happens daily in your areas of interest.
The very popular Twitter is an example of microblog, yet emails and podcasts also fall into this category.
The Library created lists of Twitter accounts for many engineering fields. It is possible to subscribe to the complete list in your domain, or to follow only specific accounts that seem the most interesting.
The small scheme below from KatiePhD and inspired by ES Darlin's work illustrates Twitter's main benefits for research, which are not limited only to keeping up-to-date.