Why do I have to register with individual databases?

Some databases, such as ScienceDirect and Scopus, make registration compulsory the first time you visit. Others, such as EBSCO and Proquest, offer registration as an optional extra. Registering your personal details in this way creates a personal account and gives you access to additional services: for example you can save articles in folders in between visits, create alerts, and save searches for future use.

If you decide to create a personal account within a database you should continue to access the database in the usual way, following links from the OU library website, and entering your Open University computer username and password whenever prompted. Once you are in the database, you can then sign in to your personal account using the username and password you set up on registration.