Scopus - Detailed Review
Search Tools
Scopus - Product Overview
Introduction to Scopus
Scopus is a comprehensive scientific abstract and citation database launched by Elsevier in 2004 as a competitor to the Web of Science. It serves as a vital resource for researchers, instructors, librarians, and students across various disciplines.
Primary Function
The primary function of Scopus is to provide a vast and reliable database of peer-reviewed research literature and quality web sources. It covers over 240 disciplines, including science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Scopus helps users find, track, and analyze citation data, making it an essential tool for research and academic purposes.
Target Audience
Scopus is primarily targeted at academic and research communities. Its audience includes researchers, instructors, librarians, and students. The demographic breakdown shows that the largest age group of visitors is 25-34 years old, with a higher proportion of female users (60%) compared to male users (40%).
Key Features
Content Coverage
Scopus includes over 28,000 active journals and nearly 300,000 books, along with over 25 million patents from five patent offices. The content is selected and reviewed by an independent Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB) to ensure quality and relevance.
Citation Tracking
The Scopus Citation Tracker allows users to find, check, and track citation data year by year for specific authors or topics.
Scopus AI
This AI-driven tool helps users generate summaries of academic content, identify leading authors, and visualize links between research concepts through its Concept Map feature. It also includes a Copilot feature that breaks down complex queries into manageable components and supports non-English queries through an intelligent language layer.
Search and Analysis Capabilities
Scopus offers advanced search functionalities, including keyword and vector search tools, which enable users to pose complex queries and receive detailed and relevant responses.
Data Integration
The Scopus Application Program Interface (API) allows users to access and integrate Scopus data into various applications and websites, enhancing its utility beyond traditional library domains.
Overall, Scopus is a powerful tool that supports comprehensive research needs by providing extensive coverage, advanced search capabilities, and innovative AI-driven features.
Scopus - User Interface and Experience
Scopus AI Interface
Scopus AI, integrated into the Scopus platform, utilizes a clear and intuitive interface. Here are some key features:
- Query Optimization: The Copilot feature optimizes user queries in real time, using both vector and keyword searching. This allows for more specific and complex queries, and it can even translate foreign language questions into English.
- Summaries and References: Scopus AI generates concise and trustworthy summaries based on Scopus abstracts, complete with references. This helps users quickly grasp the essence of a topic without having to read through multiple documents.
- Concept Map: The Concept Map feature visualizes links between research concepts, allowing users to see how different topics are connected. This visualization provides a comprehensive overview, making it easier to explore new areas of research.
- Foundational Documents: This feature highlights the most important papers in a given discipline, helping users identify seminal works that have significant impact.
- Expert Identification: Scopus AI quickly identifies leading authors in a field, providing details on their expertise based on publication rate, impact, and recent contributions.
Search Results Page
The Scopus Search Results page has also been redesigned for better usability:
- User-Friendly Filters: The page includes intuitive filters and facets that allow users to customize how results are displayed. A graph indicates the number of publications per year, making it easier to select specific date ranges.
- Multiple View Options: Users can toggle between list and table views of the results, with the table view set as the default. The basic search form is accessible directly from the search results page, eliminating the need to return to the homepage for query edits.
- Improved Toolbar: Toolbar actions are now always enabled, prompting users to select results if none are chosen. This streamlines the process of applying actions to selected results.
Institutional Profile Wizard
For institutions, the Scopus Institutional Profile Wizard has been redesigned with a more intuitive workflow:
- Modular Journey: The wizard now follows a modular rather than linear flow, making it easier to update profiles. New FAQs and embedded links within the UI provide additional support.
- User Prompts: First-time users receive prompts explaining key features, enhancing the onboarding experience. The wizard also includes a review count to track the number of edits proposed to the profile.
- Enhanced Communication: The interface features improved error handling and user communication, along with an enhanced comment box on the summary screen that allows multi-line inputs.
Author Profile Management
The Scopus Author Feedback Wizard allows authors to review and correct their profiles easily:
- Step-by-Step Process: Users can select their profiles, review and add documents, request affiliation changes, and submit corrections. This process is accessible even for those without a Scopus subscription.
Overall, Scopus has made significant efforts to enhance its user interface, ensuring that the tools are easy to use and provide a seamless user experience. The focus on clear workflows, intuitive filters, and comprehensive summaries makes it easier for researchers and institutions to manage their profiles and conduct research efficiently.
Scopus - Key Features and Functionality
AI-Driven Features of Scopus
Scopus, particularly with its AI-driven features, offers a plethora of tools and functionalities that enhance research efficiency and accuracy. Here are the main features and how they work:Advanced Search Capabilities
Scopus provides a robust search engine with various search options, including searches by affiliation, author, and keyword. Users can filter results by document type, date, and subject area, and refine their searches using wildcards and Boolean operators. This flexibility allows for precise and targeted searches.Citation Analysis and Metrics
Scopus tracks and counts citations between papers, enabling academics to assess the quality and relevance of their research. It generates metrics such as Cite Score (average citations per article) and SJR (SCImago Journal Rank), which quantify journal influence and prestige. This helps in evaluating research output and journal performance.Subject Categories and Classification
Scopus categorizes research into 313 specific categories within 27 significant areas using a hierarchical subject category system. Expert reviewers categorize journals based on their editorial focus, scope, and substance, making it easier to conduct accurate evaluations and targeted searches within particular topics.Author and Affiliation Profiles
Scopus automatically compiles an author’s publications, citations, and h-index in their author profile. Authors can manage their profiles to ensure accuracy and completeness. Institutions can monitor research productivity and compare themselves to peers by viewing collaboration, performance measures, and research output displayed in affiliation profiles.Scopus AI Features
Summaries and References
Scopus AI generates concise and trustworthy summaries based on Scopus abstracts, complete with references. This feature saves time by providing quick overviews of topics of interest and facilitates deeper exploration of complex content.Concept Maps
Scopus AI’s Concept Map visually maps search results, showing links and associations between various research topics and keywords. This visualization provides a comprehensive overview, allowing researchers to explore new vocabulary and connections between subjects easily.Identifying Seminal Papers
Scopus AI identifies and displays seminal papers on a topic, which are papers that have been cited the most in other articles. This feature helps in pinpointing key papers that are foundational to the ideas being discussed.Leading Experts
The tool identifies leading experts relevant to the user’s query, providing brief summaries of their expertise and links to their detailed Scopus profiles. This helps researchers find other relevant studies and experts in the field.Emerging Themes
The Emerging Themes feature identifies consistent, rising, and novel themes in the relevant literature based on the user’s query. Each theme includes a quick summary, supporting references, and potential research hypotheses, which can generate further exploration using standard Scopus AI features.Further Exploration Queries
Scopus AI suggests relevant queries for further exploration, encouraging users to focus on specific aspects of a subject, take new perspectives, or zoom out to a wider picture. This feature helps in uncovering hidden insights in various research fields.Integration of AI
Scopus AI uses machine learning and natural language processing algorithms to generate summaries, extract pertinent information from articles, and interpret the intent and meaning of user queries. The Large Language Model, with strict prompt engineering, generates responses based on trusted Scopus knowledge, ensuring factual accuracy and reliability. These features collectively make Scopus a powerful tool for researchers, enhancing their ability to search, analyze, and manage academic content efficiently. Scopus - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of Scopus
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of Scopus, particularly in its AI-driven search tools, reveals both strengths and areas for improvement.
Strengths
- Data Quality and Coverage: Scopus is recognized for its high-quality bibliometric data, with rigorous content selection and re-evaluation processes. It boasts an average precision of 98.1% and an average recall of 94.4% in author profiles, which are generated using a combination of algorithms and manual curation.
- Comprehensive Metrics: Scopus integrates various metrics, including CiteScore, PlumX Metrics, and traditional citation measures, to provide a comprehensive view of research impact at the journal, document, and author levels. These metrics help in evaluating research areas and building valuable insights.
- AI-Driven Tools: Scopus AI is an advanced tool that uses the Scopus database to generate summaries, identify leading authors, and visualize research concepts. It employs vector search, keyword search, and a large language model to provide accurate and trustworthy summaries with academic references. The tool also includes features like Copilot, which breaks down complex queries and optimizes search elements for better results.
Areas for Improvement
- Subject Classification Issues: One significant limitation is the incorrect classification of journals into subject areas. For instance, journals from fields like linguistics or social sciences are sometimes incorrectly categorized under literature, which can skew citation metrics and field-weighted results. This issue is particularly problematic in the humanities, where such misclassifications can lead to inaccurate rankings and assessments.
- Coverage Disparities: Scopus has uneven coverage across different subject categories. It has strong coverage in health, life sciences, and engineering but limited representation in areas such as agricultural science, earth science, chemistry, and the social sciences. Additionally, there is no content recorded in the category of “arts and humanities”.
- Unclassified Documents: There is a discrepancy in the total document count due to unclassified documents, many of which are from older periods (1966-1996). These documents, though identified as articles or having a DOI, are not properly categorized, which can affect search results and data accuracy.
Engagement and Factual Accuracy
Scopus is generally taken seriously in the academic community due to its extensive database and advanced search tools. However, the issues with subject classification and coverage disparities need to be addressed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its metrics and rankings. Elsevier’s continuous quality assurance processes and internal review mechanisms are steps in the right direction, but more focused efforts are needed to correct these specific problems.
In summary, while Scopus excels in data quality and AI-driven search capabilities, it faces challenges in subject classification and coverage that need to be rectified to enhance its overall performance and accuracy.
Scopus - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure for Scopus
The pricing structure for Scopus, which is a part of Elsevier’s products, is not directly outlined in the sources provided, as they primarily focus on journal pricing and open access models rather than the specific pricing for database services like Scopus. However, here are some key points that can help clarify the general approach to pricing in the context of Elsevier’s products and services:Subscription and Access Models
Scopus, like other Elsevier products, operates on a subscription-based model. Institutions and individuals can purchase subscriptions to access the database. The pricing for these subscriptions is typically based on several factors, including:Factors Influencing Pricing
- The number of users
- The type of institution (academic, corporate, etc.)
- The geographic location
- The specific content packages chosen
No Specific Pricing Details Available
There is no detailed pricing information available for Scopus subscriptions in the provided sources. Typically, such information would be found on the official Scopus website or through direct contact with Elsevier sales representatives.Open Access and Free Content
While Scopus itself is not free, it does index and provide access to various types of open access content. Users can filter search results to include open access articles, which can be accessed freely. This includes Gold, Hybrid-Gold, Green, and Bronze open access statuses.Institutional and Personal Access
Institutions can purchase subscription packages that include access to Scopus, and individuals can also obtain personal access through various options, though these are generally more limited and may involve transactional article purchases or rentals.Contact for Specific Pricing
If you need specific pricing details for Scopus, it is recommended to visit the official Scopus website or contact Elsevier directly for a quote. Scopus - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Other Tools
Scopus, a comprehensive research database, integrates seamlessly with various tools to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of research and editorial processes.
One notable integration is with Editorial Manager (EM) through the “Find Reviewers using Scopus” tool. This collaboration allows editors to search for and select reviewers more efficiently. Here, Scopus connects editors to millions of researchers, providing a diverse selection of potential reviewers. The tool generates up to 100 suggested reviewers per search, facilitating expert matching for every manuscript. This integration ensures a seamless workflow by referencing manuscript data from EM and allowing editors to examine Scopus profiles for more insights.
Compatibility Across Different Platforms and Devices
Scopus is compatible with a range of browsers to ensure optimal user experience.
Supported Browsers
Scopus supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and certain versions of Internet Explorer. For the best experience, users are encouraged to use Chrome or Firefox. As of recent updates, Scopus no longer supports older versions of Internet Explorer such as IE7, IE8, and IE9. Internet Explorer 11 is supported, but users may need to adjust compatibility settings for proper display.
Browser Updates
Scopus periodically updates its browser support to align with the latest technology. For instance, it discontinued support for Internet Explorer 8 ahead of Microsoft’s official discontinuation date and no longer supports IE9 as of November 2016. Users of Chrome need to be aware of changes such as the disabling of NPAPI plugins, which can affect document downloads.
Additional Features and Tools
Scopus also integrates advanced AI-driven tools to enhance research capabilities. For example, Scopus AI uses vector search and keyword search to help users find relevant research. It includes features like Concept Map, which visualizes links between research concepts, and Foundational Papers, which identifies key papers using citation graph technology. The Copilot feature breaks down complex queries into individual components and optimizes each element for either vector or keyword search, making it easier to handle specialized queries.
In summary, Scopus integrates well with editorial management tools and supports a variety of browsers, ensuring a smooth and efficient research experience across different platforms and devices.
Scopus - Customer Support and Resources
Scopus Support Center
The Scopus Support Center is a central hub for all support needs. It provides improved search functionality, a new look and feel, and a more intuitive interface. Users can access the Support Center by clicking on the “Help” option from the navigation bar, which opens context-sensitive information relevant to the page being viewed. The Support Center is divided into two main sections:
Learning and Accessing Scopus
This section offers answers to frequently asked questions, information, and training resources. Users can search for specific topics using the search bar.
Requesting Changes
Here, users can find guidance on how to request changes to author/affiliation profiles or Scopus content, such as adding a missing document or making corrections.
Contacting Support
For further assistance, the Support Center includes different contact forms depending on whether you need help with learning and accessing Scopus or requesting changes. These forms help direct your query to the right support team, ensuring quicker responses. Options include email, chat, or callback.
Scopus AI
Scopus AI is an AI-driven research tool integrated with the Scopus database. It uses generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to help users navigate unfamiliar academic content. Here are some key features and resources:
Natural Language Queries
Users can formulate queries using everyday language without needing keywords or logical operators.
Summaries and References
Scopus AI generates brief summaries from abstracts of publications since 2003, including references to related articles.
Additional Features
These include extended summaries, concept maps, core article menus, and a topic expert button, all aimed at deeper discovery of topics.
Webinar and Documentation
For those interested in learning more about Scopus AI, there is a webinar recording available that explores how researchers can effectively utilize GenAI throughout their research process. This webinar provides practical ways to leverage AI-informed results for an accelerated search process.
Transparency and Reliability
Scopus AI emphasizes reliability and transparency by grounding its responses in abstracts from the reputable Scopus database. It includes clear references and direct links to original research abstracts to ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of the information provided.
These resources and support options are designed to make using Scopus and its AI-driven tools as straightforward and efficient as possible.
Scopus - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Scopus
Access to High-Quality Research
Scopus provides access to a vast database of peer-reviewed journals, ensuring researchers can find high-quality, up-to-date articles quickly. This enhances the quality and credibility of their research findings.Latest Research and Global Perspectives
Scopus allows researchers to explore the most recent and significant publications in their fields, offering broad global perspectives and insights into the latest innovations.Measuring Research Impact
Scopus offers citation analysis tools that help researchers measure the impact of their work. The Scopus ID enables tracking of citations, serving as a key indicator of influence within the scientific community.Advanced Search and Analytical Tools
Scopus features advanced search functions, including author disambiguation and the ability to track an author’s research output over time. Its AI-driven tools, such as Scopus AI, generate summaries, identify leading authors, and visualize research concepts through the Concept Map feature.Professional Profile and Networking
By registering as a Scopus Author, researchers can build an internationally recognized professional profile, increasing their visibility and facilitating collaborations with other researchers.Institutional Performance Evaluation
Scopus provides critical data for academic institutions to evaluate research performance, helping them develop strategies to improve educational and research quality.Emerging Themes and Research Opportunities
The latest innovation, Emerging themes, identifies and categorizes established, rising, and novel themes, helping researchers pinpoint areas for publications, collaborations, and funding opportunities.User-Friendly Interface
Scopus boasts an intuitive interface that allows for efficient searching and sorting of information. Its integration with other research tools maximizes data utilization and streamlines the research process.Disadvantages of Scopus
While Scopus is a powerful tool, it also has some drawbacks:Rigorous Indexing Process
The indexing process in Scopus can be time-consuming, leading to delays in listing some high-quality journals. This rigorous evaluation ensures quality but can result in slower inclusion of new journals.Subscription Costs
The cost of subscribing to Scopus can be a barrier for individuals or institutions with limited budgets. This financial constraint may limit access to its comprehensive resources.Comparison with Other Databases
While Scopus covers a wider range of disciplines and includes open access articles, it may not have the same level of emphasis on natural sciences as Web of Science. Additionally, Web of Science offers the “impact factor” metric, which some researchers prefer for evaluating journal significance. In summary, Scopus is a valuable tool for researchers due to its extensive database, advanced analytical features, and user-friendly interface. However, it comes with some limitations, such as the time-consuming indexing process and potential financial barriers. Scopus - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Scopus AI
Copilot Feature
Scopus AI’s Copilot is a significant advancement, as it uses both vector and keyword search tools to handle highly specific and complex queries. This feature breaks down queries into their component parts, optimizes them for the chosen search channels, and considers more abstracts than previous searches. It also includes an intelligent language layer to translate non-English queries into English, making it more accessible for international researchers.
Curated Content
Scopus AI is built on the Scopus database, which is the world’s largest curated abstract and index database, covering over 27,000 peer-reviewed journals and 330 disciplines. This ensures that the results are trustworthy and comprehensive.
Transparency
Scopus AI adheres to Elsevier’s Responsible AI principles, providing a transparency layer that explains how the tool processes and optimizes queries. This is a unique feature among current GenAI solutions.
Additional Tools
Scopus AI includes features like foundational documents, concept maps, and topic experts, which help in highlighting important papers, visualizing key relationships between topics, and supporting collaboration with experts.
Potential Alternatives
DeepSeek Search
DeepSeek is an open-source AI search engine that can be used in conjunction with the Deepthink (R1) mode. It allows unlimited searches and is known for its accuracy, having correctly provided 57% of the data in a benchmark test. DeepSeek is a good option for those looking for an open-source solution.
Andi
Andi is a free AI answer engine that gathers information from various sources and prepares a document based on those sources with user approval. It is a good choice for users with limited budgets, although it may not offer the same level of sophistication as Scopus AI.
Perplexity
Perplexity uses AI models to generate summaries of search results and allows users to narrow their search to specific sources. It runs on OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 LLM and offers a Pro version with more advanced models like GPT-4. Perplexity is good for in-depth searches but may not match the specialized academic focus of Scopus AI.
ChatGPT Search
ChatGPT Search, powered by GPT-4o, is another option that integrates AI search capabilities with the GPT-4 model. However, it is not available with all GPT models and may not have the same level of domain-specific expertise as Scopus AI in academic research.
Key Differences
Domain Specificity
Scopus AI is highly specialized in academic and research contexts, leveraging a vast curated database of peer-reviewed journals. In contrast, other AI search engines like DeepSeek, Andi, and Perplexity are more general-purpose tools that may not offer the same depth in academic research.
Search Technology
Scopus AI’s use of both vector and keyword search tools, along with its intelligent language layer, sets it apart from other AI search engines that might rely on a single type of search technology.
User Interface and Transparency
Scopus AI’s transparency layer and the detailed explanations of how queries are processed are unique features that enhance user trust and engagement.
In summary, while other AI search engines offer various strengths, Scopus AI stands out with its specialized focus on academic research, advanced search technologies, and commitment to transparency.
Scopus - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scopus AI and how does it work?
Scopus AI is an AI-driven research tool that utilizes the Scopus peer-reviewed research repository to generate summaries and insights based on academic abstracts. It uses generative AI (GenAI) to analyze queries and provide concise, trustworthy summaries with references. The tool interprets the intent and meaning of the query, searches the last five years of Scopus abstracts, and generates a response using strict prompt engineering and trusted Scopus knowledge.How do I use Scopus AI to search for topics?
To use Scopus AI, frame your query as a question and enter it into the search field. The tool will display the steps taken to set up the search and summary, including the specific keywords used. You can review these keywords to discover new search terms for your research. The tool provides a synthesized summary based on up to 10 relevant studies and includes references for further exploration.What features does Scopus AI offer to help with research?
Scopus AI offers several features to aid in research:Foundational Papers
Identifies seminal works that have most influenced the documents used to generate summaries, ranked by citation count.Emerging Themes
Identifies and categorizes established, rising, and novel themes based on user queries, providing mini-summaries, references, and suggested research hypotheses.Concept Map
Visualizes links between research concepts, helping to discover connections between topics and untapped frontiers.Copilot
Breaks down complex queries into individual components and optimizes each element for either vector or keyword search, and includes an intelligent language layer to translate non-English queries into English.How does Scopus AI ensure data privacy and accuracy?
Scopus AI adheres to Elsevier’s Responsible AI Principles and Privacy Principles. It ensures no data exchange or use of its data to train public models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The tool also complies with GDPR to guarantee user privacy and avoid unnecessary data retention. Accuracy is maintained by using peer-reviewed and rigorously vetted content from Scopus, and the tool is regularly evaluated for relevancy, coherency, and safety.Can I use Scopus AI if English is not my native language?
Yes, Scopus AI includes an intelligent language layer through its Copilot feature, which can translate queries in non-English languages into English. This helps users who prefer to work in English, even if it is not their native language.How can I refine my search results in Scopus?
In Scopus, you can refine your search results using various filters such as document type, publication date, language, and journal. The Refine Panel allows you to limit or exclude specific keywords from your results. You can also use the Analyze Search Result tool to get a visual analysis of your results, and sort your results by criteria like most recent or most frequently cited.Can I export and save my search results in Scopus?
Yes, registered users can export selected search results to various file types, reference managers, and platforms. You can also save your searches and set up alerts for future updates.How does Scopus AI handle complex queries?
Scopus AI’s Copilot feature is designed to handle complex queries by breaking them down into individual components and optimizing each element for either vector or keyword search. This allows users to pose more complicated or multifaceted questions and receive the best possible results.What is the coverage period for the content used by Scopus AI?
Scopus AI primarily draws on content published in the last five years, although influential articles predating this period can be found in the list of Foundational papers, which mines the entire Scopus corpus. Scopus - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Scopus AI
Scopus AI, launched by Elsevier, is a significant advancement in the search tools category, particularly for academic and research purposes. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits, target users, and overall recommendation.Key Features and Benefits
- Summarized Views and Insights: Scopus AI generates concise and trustworthy summaries based on abstracts from over 27,000 academic journals, reducing the time and effort required to grasp research topics. These summaries include academic references, ensuring the information is reliable and sourced.
- Natural Language Queries: Users can ask questions in a natural, conversational manner, eliminating the need for specialized search syntax. This feature is facilitated by Natural Language Processing (NLP) and makes the tool more accessible to a broader range of users.
- Visual Mapping and Concept Graphs: Scopus AI visually maps search results, providing a comprehensive overview of how concepts fit together. This feature, along with the Keyword Graph, helps researchers explore new vocabulary and connections within a subject area.
- Expert Identification and Foundational Papers: The tool identifies leading authors in a field based on their publication rate, impact, and recent contributions. It also pinpoints seminal works using Scopus’ citation graph technology, helping researchers understand the origins and evolution of research ideas.
- Copilot Query Tool: This feature enhances search efficacy by breaking down complex queries into their individual components and optimizing each element for either vector or keyword search. It also includes an intelligent language layer to handle non-English queries, making it more inclusive for international researchers.
- Transparency and Accountability: Scopus AI operates under Elsevier’s Responsible AI principles, ensuring transparency in how the tool processes queries, preventing unfair bias, and maintaining privacy and data governance. The system uses OpenAI’s GPT and Large Language Model (LLM) technology in a private cloud environment, ensuring data privacy.
Target Users
Scopus AI is highly beneficial for:- Early-Career Researchers: It helps them quickly grasp new research areas and provides a clear, manageable interpretation of complex academic topics.
- Seasoned Academics: It aids in deeper exploration of topics, identifies key papers, and suggests further queries for extended research.
- Interdisciplinary Researchers: It facilitates cross-disciplinary research by providing a comprehensive overview of interconnected research themes.
- International Researchers: The tool’s ability to handle non-English queries makes it accessible to a global community of researchers.