Scopus

Citation indexing database. Scopus is a multidisciplinary abstract and citation database. Use it to search indexed records, refine results, inspect abstracts and keywords, and export references for your review workflow.

Stage 1 Search Log All guides

01 · Access and sign in

Open Scopus

Open Scopus through the UTM Library database list or your institution’s library portal. Choose institutional sign-in/SSO if prompted. You may be able to search some public interface pages without a subscription, but access to subscribed records, full text and export functions can depend on your institution.

Open Scopus ↗Official advanced search guide ↗Official document search help ↗Export documents from Scopus ↗

02 · Search for SLR

Search features to practise

Document search across title, abstract and keywords; field-based queries; Boolean operators; filters such as year, document type and subject area; result analysis; and export to formats such as RIS, CSV or BibTeX when available.

Database coverage matters. Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection are citation-indexing databases. IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect and Springer Nature Link are scholarly content platforms with their own search collections. Coverage and search behaviour differ; document each source separately and justify it in your protocol.

03 · Hands-on exercise

Build and test a search

Start from your review topic and identify two or three main concepts.
List synonyms and spelling variants for each concept. Combine synonyms with OR and concept groups with AND.
Copy the sample below and replace the terms with your own concepts. Check the database help page for field syntax and operators.
Run the search, inspect a sample of titles and abstracts, and revise unclear or over-restrictive terms.
Apply only filters justified by your scope or protocol. Record the exact query and search date before moving to another source.
Export available bibliographic fields, abstracts and keywords. Check the export and import the records into Zotero; retain the original export file.

Search approach: Use your own reviewed concepts and synonyms. In the Scopus document search, build two or more concept blocks joined by AND, with synonyms inside each block joined by OR. Adjust syntax to the selected search field and the interface shown.

Adaptable example search string

(TITLE-ABS-KEY("explainable artificial intelligence" OR XAI) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY("intrusion detection" OR "anomaly detection"))

Focus your query on title, abstract and keywords where available. Test the query, inspect the first results for relevance, and refine terms before saving the final search. Export bibliographic details, abstracts and keywords when available. Preserve the exact query, date, filters and record count.

04 · Record and carry forward

What to save after this search

Scopus record search, verified seed records, exact query, search date, filters, results count and citation export. Record the formal search in Stage 1 Search Log and organize exports in Zotero.

✓ Database/platform name and search date

✓ Exact query and fields searched

✓ Filters and total results retrieved

✓ Original export file and verified seed record

Important: Scopus is one database source, not a complete search of all scholarship. Use the standard Scopus database search and log the query you actually ran.

Record this search in the Stage 1 Search Log →Organize references in Zotero

Also see Keyword Matrix & Boolean Search · Keyword Matrix & Boolean Search · Database Selection