Skip Navigation

Database Platforms

Compare the features of database platforms

Our Sponsors

ADAT developed and managed by DataSalon
JISC Collections
JISC Collections Academic Database Assessment Tool

CSA Illumina

NOTE: All details are shown as provided by the database platform. Please visit our About ADAT page for more information on our data sourcing and comparison method.

Address

CSA,
4640 Kingsgate,
Cascade Way,
Oxford Business Park South, Oxford.
OX4 2ST

URL

http://www.csa.com

Contact Email

Information not provided

Contact Tel

Information not provided

Databases

Summary

The interface provides access to more than 100 databases published by CSA and its publishing partners in the areas: Arts and Humanities; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; and Technology

Content

Restrictions

All databases are included in full

Embargo Rules

Currently no embargoes

Update Frequency

Up to weekly - varies by database

Content Classification

CSA specializes in publishing and distributing, in print and electronically, 100 bibliographic and full-text databases and journals in four primary editorial areas: natural sciences, social sciences, arts & humanities, and technology.

Access Control

Authentication

  • Username/Password
  • IP Address
  • Classic Athens
  • SAML Compliant (e.g. Shibboleth)
  • Member of UK Access Management Federation

Notes

Shibboleth is available for InCommon, UK, Connection Federation (Canada), and DFN-AAI (Germany) Federations.

Concurrency Limit

No.

Restrictions

Certain countries are embargoed by our 3rd party content providers but none specifically by CSA.

Free Trials

Yes, normally 30 days but can be extended as required. Access is normally via username/password but can also be IP address, ATHENS or Shibboleth.

Search

Features

  • Advanced Search
  • Boolean AND
  • Boolean NOT
  • Boolean OR
  • Exact Phrase
  • Keywords
  • Search by Author
  • Search by Citation
  • Search by Date
  • Search by Language
  • Search by Subject
  • Search by Title
  • Simple Search
  • Wildcards

Notes

Various fields available for searching in different databases, including - sometimes - content type and citation.

Indexing

Most databases have author and journal name indexes. Some have additional indexes such as publication type or subject. Many databases also have a Thesaurus attached, or access to a subject thesaurus such as taxonomic terms for natural sciences.

Cross Database Search

Yes. Databases can be selected individually or grouped by subject area and results displayed in one list, sorted by Most recent or Relevancy.

Web Search

Selected web resources are searched and edited on CSA, with descriptors and often abstracts appended. Results of these are displayed under a separate tab.

Saved Searches

Yes. Initially each user wanting to do this will need to create a profile - by entering an email address and password - and log into this at future sessions to run (edit, delete or renew) the saved search.

Search Tips

Yes, a comprehensive Search Tips file is available at a click from all search boxes.

Search Results

Features

  • Deduplication
  • Include Abstracts
  • OpenURL linking

Notes

Linking to catalogues and subscription journals or online full text providers can also be set up, and direct linking provided in the results display.

Ordering

  • Most Recent First
  • Relevance Ranking (based on the number of occurrences of search terms in keyword fields: title, subject, abstract and descriptors

Exporting

  • Endnote: Indirectly
  • RefWork: Directly
  • Reference Manager: Indirectly
  • Email: Directly
  • Other: Quick Bib function - allows user to print save or email results in a properly formatted bibliographic style.

Other Functionality

Citation Linking

A growing number of databases provide references, and there is linking between any of these to other references held in the database.

Full Text Linking

  • OpenURL
  • Link to Holdings (catalogues)
  • Fulltext linking - to either full aggregator packages or individual journal titles
  • Document Delivery Services
  • Inter library loan forms
  • Journal management systems

Help Information

  • Help pages
  • Contextual help
  • Training: On site or online training is available to all customers on an annual basis if required, and is offered immediately on subscription.

Interface Customisation

Yes - they can add linked logo or 'branding' institution text; set up various linking options, customise how the interface looks and works, and set up institution or even personalised login links to put onto intranet pages and allow by-pass of login.

Alerting

Yes. As with saved searches, initially each user wanting to do this will need to create a profile - by entering an email address and password. This will run the alert search each week and send an alerting email to the user whenever there are results. This is valid for 26 weeks by default but the user can log into CSA Illumina and their profile at any stage to renew (or edit, delete or run the search)

Usage Stats

  • Available Online
  • COUNTER Compliant Vendor

Counter compliance Q4 2006

Technical Integration

Full z39.50 protocol details available from CSA home page. Open URL compliant.

VLE Integration

No.

Social Bookmarking

No.

Language Support

Yes, it is available in: French, Spanish, Japanese, Traditional & Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Other

RSS Alerting. Login for up to 3 months from non-IP authenticated computers with your personal username and password.

Accessibility

W3C Compliance

Information not provided

Browser Compatibility

PC

  • IE
  • FireFox
  • Netscape

MAC

  • IE
  • FireFox

Plugins Required

None required

Availability & Uptime

24/7 Uptime

Yes

Downtime (as specified in service level agreements)

None

Mirror Sites

7 mirror sites; UK (1), USA (4), Tawian (1) Australia (1)