Deep linking: Instructions for linking directly to
articles on library databases.
Part 1/ Introduction
This document provides guidance for creating links from web pages and
NILE modules to individual articles on electronic databases. This process is
referred to as “deep linking”. Deep linking allows academics to guide
students quickly and effectively to appropriate e-journal articles.
When creating deep links it is important to remember that the electronic
resources are password protected. Therefore deep links are set up in such
a way to ensure that off-campus users are directed to an authentication
screen, usually University login, before they can access the full text.
It is good practice to provide a clear reference with a deep link. This
should be done using one of the recognized styles such as Harvard, MLA,
APA and Vancouver. An example of a Harvard reference for a journal
article is given at the end of this document.
N.B. users should be reminded that the article is password protected. A
variation of the following message should be attached to the article
reference. “Your University login will be required to access this article”.
It is also worth noting that the University’s Aspire reading list software
(http://readinglists.northampton.ac.uk ) allows easy linking to both ejournal articles and e-books. Contact your Academic Librarian for more
information.
Part 2/ Deep linking instructions for electronic databases
The easiest way to deep link is to utilise the built in SFX
service. This will ensure that users find the text
irrespective of any changes in the source or supplier of the article.
Locate the full-text article to which you wish to deep link. If you would like
assistance with retrieving articles from electronic databases contact the
relevant academic librarian for your subject.
Make a note of the key information, then go to
http://library.northampton.ac.uk/citationlinker/article.php
(Select the Article tab)
Fill in as many of the boxes indicated on the following screen shot as you
can – and click on
.
Click on More options
Then click
against Save citation information.
The result will look like this:
Copy and paste the resulting URL into NILE as instructed in Part 3 (Ignore
line 1 and start to copy at http://... etc.).
Part 3/ Presenting deep links
Adding links in NILE
In the control panel for your course, access the content area where you
would like the link to appear (e.g. Course Documents).
Click on Build Content, then the ‘URL’ button: on the next screen provide
a name for the resource, paste in the URL, and provide a reference in the
text box underneath.
Note: Under the ‘Options’ list, you also have the choice to open the
link in a new window.
Creating a reference to accompany a deep link
It is useful to provide a reference using a recognised referencing style.
The journal article reference below is written in the Harvard reference
style.
Author surname, initials. (year) Title of article. Journal name. Volume
number (issue or part number), first and last page numbers.
e.g. Ashling, J. (2003) Bibliographic databases in a changing world.
Information Today. 20 (9), 1-10.
Ver. 6. June 2012