What are Search Alerts?
Most research databases allow you to create alerts that will push information to you based on a search you've set up previously. This could be a search for:
When are search alerts most useful?
Search alerts are particularly useful for those undertaking long-term research, such as a Masters or PhD thesis, and this is because the research process involves many activities (e.g. field work and data analysis) that can prevent you from keeping up-to-date with the research being published around your topic.