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Elements: Name-Based Search

A guide to setting up and maintaining Elements profiles

Name-Based Search

This page of the guide is designed to help you set up your name-based search settings. Name-based searches are the number one way that your publications are linked in Elements. If you have a particularly common name, or share a name with another author from CSHL please contact the library and we can help you fine tune your settings. 

The name-based search feature pulls data from PubMed, Europe PubMed Central, Scopus, and Web of Science. 

Linking Publications

Step 1: Open the main menu by clicking the icon (hamburger menu) on the top left. 

a screenshot of an elements profile dashboard with an arrow pointing to the hamburger menu icon in the top left corner

Step 2: Select "Name-Based Search" under the "Settings" heading under the "My Profile" tab. 

a screenshot of the My Profile drop down menu with an arrow pointing to the "Name-based Search" link under the Settings heading

Step 3: Add all possible name variants that you have published under (middle names, initials, previous last names). Click the green plus sign to add each variant. 

a screenshot of the page to add name variants to the options for name-based search terms. an arrow points to the top option to add a new name variant

Step 4: Add all institutions with which you have been affiliated for a publication. Click the green plus sign after each addition. 

a screenshot of the page to add name variants to the options for name-based search terms. an arrow points to the option to add another address

Step 5: Make sure there is nothing in the "Journals" field; this will limit your search results too far. 

a screenshot from lower down on the name-based search terms page with a blue X over the journal entry field

Step 6: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Save". 

You should not need to modify any other settings. If you are having continued issues with pulling up an accurate list of publications, contact the Science Informationist in the library. 

a screenshot of the Source-specific name based search terms at the bottom of the page with an arrow pointing to the save button

Advanced Troubleshooting

If your search terms are finding most of your publications, but not all of them, there are several steps that you can take. We always recommend that you start by modifying your name-based search terms. If this doesn't work, consult the "Adding Missing Publications" tab or contact the Science Informationist. 

Additional Questions: