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Research Process

These pages offer an introduction to the research process at a very general level.

Persistent URLs

A persistent URL (PURL), or permalink, is a durable link that connects you directly to an article, eBook, or other item in NU Library. Persistent URLs can be helpful if you wish to share a library resource with a classmate or an instructor, or if you wish to quickly link back to a resource. PURLs also help us remain in compliance with copyright rules when sharing and linking to Library resources.

If you choose to use PURLs, keep in mind that you must be properly authenticated in order to access the resource. You may be prompted to provide your NU institutional credentials in order to connect to the resource. Additionally, each Library database has a different process for capturing PURLs.

Lastly, be aware that while PURLs are persistent, they are NOT necessarily permanent. PURLs may become obsolete over time, especially as our Library database subscriptions change year to year.

As an alternative, you may choose to collect and save links to your resources in an online research management tool. RefWorks is an online research management writing and collaboration tool designed to help researchers easily gather, manage, store and share all types of information, as well as generate citations and bibliographies. For additional information, including how to set up a RefWorks account, see the RefWorks LibGuide.

Another alternative to PURLs is to create individual library database accounts. Two of our most popular Library databases which allow you to create personal accounts where you can save resources are EBSCOhost and ProQuest. See our page on Personal Database Accounts for more information.

Persistent URLs by Database with OpenAthens

Accessing a Resource Permalink in NavigatorSearch and EBSCOhost Databases

ALWAYS LIMIT SEARCHES TO FULL TEXT FOR COMPLETE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCE!

If you see the PDF or HTML file, then you are ready to capture the permalink. Click on the result and select Permalink from the Tools menu on the right-hand side.

If you see Link to Full Text, View Full Text Online, See Full Text From, or anything other than PDF/HTML, you will need to click the resource link to access and capture the permalink from the referenced database. Use the subsequent tabs in this guide for steps on obtaining the permalink from a specific database.

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Alexander Street Press

Click Share. 

Then click Copy next to the Via permalink option. 

The permalink that is generated is unique to the institution and does not need the OpenAthens prefix.

 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in ACM Digital Library

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for ACM Digital Library:

1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.

2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1145%2F3374587.3374635

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Annual Reviews

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Annual Reviews:

1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.annualreviews.org%2Fdoi%2Fabs%2F10.1146%2Fannurev-environ-110615-085634

Accessing a Resource Permalink in BioMed Central

Scroll down to the About this article section and copy the DOI link

 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Cochrane Library

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Annual Reviews:

1. Right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.

 

2. Enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1002%2F14651858.CD010070.pub3

Accessing a Resource Permalink in CREDO Reference

Click on Page Link at the top of the resource page. Then, copy the link displayed.

 

Next, paste the link into the Open Athens Link generator: https://go.openathens.net/generate/nu.edu/72357138

Accessing a Resource Permalink in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

Copy the DOI link found on the page. Double-check the link to ensure it connects you to the full-text article. 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)

Copy the link in the URL field found on the resource's page. 

Directory of Open Access Books resource page displaying permalink

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Ebook Central

Click Share Link to Book and copy the link that appears in the pop-up window. 

Click on share link to book to copy a permalink in Ebook Central

Accessing a Resource Permalink in ERIC 

Right-click and copy the Download full text link. 

Resource record in ERIC displaying link to full text

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Films on Demand

Click the Share link directly below the video player. Then, select Embed/Link and copy the Record URL

Films on Demand resource page with Share icon highlighted to obtain permalink to a resource

Films on Demand embed/link window

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Gale

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Gale:

1. First, click the Get Link option in the right-hand corner of the page and copy the link.

2. Next, you MUST edit the link provided by removing the &xid=***** value from the link prior to posting. Posting an incorrectly formatted link can be in violation of our licensing agreement.

INCORRECT: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A418467179/AONE?u=nu_main&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=09703031

CORRECT WITHOUT THE &xid=***** value: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A418467179/AONE?u=nu_main&sid=bookmark-AONE 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in HeinOnline

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for HeinOnline:

1. Click on the chain-link icon near the top of the page. Chain link icon in HeinOnline to obtain a permalink

2. Next, copy the HeinOnline link provided and enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fheinonline.org%2FHOL%2FP%3Fh%3Dhein.journals%2Fukalr12%26i%3D521

HeinOnline Copied resource link 

down arrow

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Homeland Security Digital Security

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Homeland Security Digital Library:

1. Copy the link in the URL field.

2. Next, enter the URL in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hsdl.org%2Fc%2Fview%3Fdocid%3D794603

Accessing a Resource Permalink in IEEE Xplore Digital Library

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for IEEE Xplore Digital Library:

1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fdocument%2F10094141

Accessing a Resource Permalink in IGI Global InfoSci

To link to an entire book or entire video, copy the link in the URL address bar. To link to a specific book chapter or video segment, right-click the title and copy the link for the specific section.

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search National University under Find Your Institution. 

 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in JSTOR Open Access 

Copy the link in the Stable URL field. 

JSTOR Open Access resource landing page

Accessing a Resource Permalink in LearnTechLib

Copy the link found in the URL address bar.

Obtaining a permalink from LearnTechLib using the URL address

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search National University under Find Your Institution. 

OpenAthens administration search page

 

Open Athens Find your instiution screen showing National University

After selecting National University, users must choose their institutional affiliation (select “1-1 Students for formerly NCU) and enter their school login credentials.

Open Athens screen showing the choice of how to sign in.

 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in MergentOnline

Copy the link found in the URL address bar.

Obtaining a permalink to a MergentOnline resource using the URL in the address bar

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution. 

OpenAthens administration search page

Accessing a Resource Permalink in National Academies Press Free eBooks 

Scroll down to the Publication Info found towards the bottom of the resource page. Copy the DOI link found there.

NOTE: Users can freely read National Academies Press eBooks online. However, you must create a free account if you want to download the eBook in PDF format. 

 

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Nexis Uni

Click the Actions hyperlink found to the right of the resource title and click Link to this page from the drop-down that appears. Copy the resource permalink.NexisUni Link to Page option

NexisUni permalink

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution. 

OpenAthens administration search page

Accessing a Resource Permalink in O'Reilly for Higher Education

  1. Open the document or video in O'Reilly. (You can also open books to specific chapters/sections, and create links to those chapters/sections.)
     
  2. Copy the URL out of your browser bar.

    Screenshot of OReilly for Higher Education database with the URL highlighted.
     
  3. Add https://go.oreilly.com/nationaluniversity/ to the beginning of the O'Reilly URL.

For example, if the title URL for Hands-On Large Language Models is https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/hands-on-large-language/9781098150952/

Then, the permalink for the title is the main URL followed by the title URL:
https://go.oreilly.com/nationaluniversity/https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/hands-on-large-language/9781098150952/

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Ovid

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Ovid:

1. First, click the Email Jumpstart link on the right-hand side of the page and copy the link that appears in the dropdown.

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fovidsp.ovid.com%2Fovidweb.cgi%3FT%3DJS%26CSC%3DY%26NEWS%3DN%26PAGE%3Dfulltext%26AN%3D00006205-200106000-00003%26LSLINK%3D80%26D%3Dovft

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg eBooks are in the public domain and may be freely read online or downloaded in a variety of formats. To link to all of the available download and format options, simply grab the URL in the address bar. 

Project Gutenberg resource landing page with link highlighted in browser

Accessing a Resource Permalink in ProQuest

From the resource page, navigate over to the Abstract/Details tab. Scroll down on the page and copy the link found in the Document URL field.

ProQuest resource record

Pulling a permalink in ProQuest Database

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Psychiatry Online

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Psychiatry Online:

1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.

2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1176%2Fappi.books.9780890425787

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Psychotherapy.net

Copy the link in the URL address bar. 

Psychotherapy.net resource landing page with URL in address bar highlighted

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution. 

OpenAthens administration search page

Accessing a Resource Permalink in SAGE Journals, SAGE Knowledge, and SAGE Research Methods

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for SAGE Journals, SAGE Knowledge, and SAGE Research Methods:

1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.

Copying the link in the URL address bar for a SAGE resource

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Freference%2Fthe-sage-encyclopedia-of-educational-research-measurement-and-evaluation%2Fi15659.xml

Accessing a Resource Permalink in ScienceDirect

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for ScienceDirect:

1. First, copy the URL found in the URL address bar. 

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0039606018302186

NOTE: When obtaining resources from this database, first-time users may be required to click Access through Your Institution where they must search for Northcentral UniversityAccess through Your Institution in ScienceDirect

Accessing a Resource Permalink in SpringerLink

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for SpringerLink:

1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.

SpringerLink resource landing page with URL link in address bar highlighted

2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.1007%2Fs10880-015-9441-8

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Statista

Copy the link in the URL address bar. 

Obtaining permalink for a Statista resource using the URL link in the address bar

NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution. 

OpenAthens administration search page

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Taylor & Francis

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Taylor & Francis:

1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.

Taylro & Francis resource landing page with DOI link highlighted

2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1080%2F02607476.2020.1829965

Accessing a Resource Permalink in Wiley Online Library

Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Wiley Online Library:

1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.

Wiley Online Library resource landing page with DOI link highlighted

2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%2Fpolp.12411

Bad Request Error when Accessing a Library Resource

A Bad Request error can be attributed to an improperly formatted link to a resource. The NU Library can assist with locating the resource and providing a properly formatted link to access it. If you have received this message in error, please contact the NU Library directly by calling 888-628-1569, by texting 928-550-6552, by emailing library@ncu.edu, or by chatting with us during live help hours.Bad Request error in OpenAthens due to Improperly Formatted link

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