Problem

Using Citavi's Online Search feature, you perform a search in a subscription database, but you receive no results. However, you have no problems when searching the same database online in your browser.

Cause

Database providers use two different forms of access to their databases and control this access in different ways as well. When you access the database in your web browser, the http protocol is used. When you search the same database from within Citavi, the Z39.50 protocol is used.

The Z39.50 protocol supports two authentication methods: IP address verification and username and password authentication. Some providers only use IP address verification, others use a password, and still others combine both IP address and username and password.

Information providers will give the contact person at the subscribing institution the username and password for Z39.50 access. Naturally, they do not want this information to fall into the wrong hands. For this reason, Citavi lets administrators create a settings file. Using a settings file, students, faculty, and staff can access the collection of bibliographic databases and catalogs the organization subscribes to, but usernames and passwords are encrypted so they remain secure. The Citavi manual describes in detail how to create a settings file.

Which information providers use which authentication method?

DIMDI:
IP address verification or username and password authentication.

EBSCO:
IP address verification, sometimes additionally username and password authentication. See also Activating Z39.50 Access for EBSCO databases.

Elsevier (Sciencedirect, Scopus):
IP address verification.

OCLC:
IP address verification or username and password authentication.

OvidSP:
IP address verification or username and password authentication.

ProQuest:
IP address verification, sometimes additionally username and password authentication.

Silver Platter:
IP address verification or username and password authentication.

Clarivate (Thomson-Reuters):
IP address verification, sometimes additionally username and password authentication..