How do I access and use Scopus?

Answer

What is Scopus?

Scopus is a comprehensive abstract and citation database developed by Elsevier, covering peer-reviewed literature across all major research disciplines. It includes journals, conference proceedings, books, patents, and other scholarly content.

Scopus integrates directly with tools such as:

  • SciVal (for advanced research analytics)

  • Pure (the University of Manchester’s current research information system)

 

What does Scopus cover and what are its strengths?

Scopus includes over 97 million records from:

  • 28,000+ active journal titles

  • 7,000+ publishers

  • Content from 330+ subject areas, including science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, arts, and humanities

Its historical coverage includes:

  • Full references from 1970 onwards

  • 18.8 million records from 1970–1995

Scopus is especially strong in:

  • Author disambiguation: Each author has a detailed, automatically generated profile

  • Citation tracking and analysis

  • Coverage of interdisciplinary research

 

Key features of Scopus

  • Author profiles
    Includes metrics such as total citations, h-index, co-author networks, and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Advanced search options
    Create custom Boolean searches to explore topics, authors, or institutions. These can be saved, exported (CSV), or transferred into SciVal for further analysis.

  • Custom publication sets
    Build and export sets of publications for review, collaboration mapping, or benchmarking.

 

How do I access Scopus?

You can access Scopus via Library Search or go directly to www.scopus.com (University login required).

To make the most of the platform—such as saving searches, setting alerts, or syncing with SciVal—we recommend creating a free Elsevier account using your University of Manchester email address.

You can access Scopus via Library Search.
 

Can I access Scopus programmatically?

Yes. Scopus offers API access via the Elsevier Developer Portal. To use it:

  • Request an API key from the Elsevier Developer Portal

  • You must be on the University network or request an institutional token from Elsevier Dev Support

  • Access is subject to Elsevier’s terms and rate limits

 

How do I use Scopus effectively?

 

More information

The Library’s Office for Open Research can help you:

  • Navigate Scopus

  • Interpret bibliometric data responsibly
     

📞 Contact the Office for Open Research

 

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  • Last Updated 27 May 2025
  • Views 195
  • Answered By Lucy May

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