Gale/Cengage fully supports both OpenURL versions 0.1 and 1.0 (KEV Key/Encoded Value).

When linking to Gale/Cengage content using the OpenURL Standard, Thomson Gale recommend that users utilise the four core indexes (ISSN, Volume, Issue, Start Page) in the URL that is issued to Thomson Gale.

The use of the other indexes is only encouraged if users do not have index information for several of the core indexes and their goal is to reduce the number of results for a particular query. Please note that use of the other indexes lacks precision and at times will produce inconsistent results.

Further information can be found on the Open URL homepage in the Technical and Training Resources section of www.gale.com.

Academic OneFile is supported by Z39.50. In addition an integrated federated search engine will soon be available on PowerSearch.

Further information can be found on the Z39.50 page in the Technical and Training Resources section of www.gale.com.

MARC 856 and ASCII records are available for download from the Technical and Training Resources section of www.gale.com at http://www.gale.com/marc_records/.

Gale/Cengage endorses two methods of access and searching for its electronic databases. The first method uses an HTTP-based API and the second uses the Z39.50 protocol. The method selected depends on the design of the relevant metasearch product.

Further information on metadata

The following search paths are supported:

Basic search, Quick search, Publication search, Advanced search, Subject-assisted search, Search within results, Relevance sorting, Cross-product searching.

Results can be emailed, saved, and printed. Citations can be saved in MLA, APA or Z39.80 formats or exported to EndNote, ProCite, Reference Works and Reference Manager.

Gale/Cengage strives to meet all the requirements as defined by the usage standards organisations. This includes the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) and COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources). Currently Gale/Cengage is COUNTER compliant level one.

Detailed usage reports can be requested and generated on demand.

Authentication is via the UK Access Management Federation, Athens, IP range, password, cookie, barcode, library managed passwords (scripting), and referring URL.

For further information please see authentication FAQs.

The InfoMarks feature enables users to save and re-launch searches or retrieve specific articles by marking them with Persistent Uniform Resource Locators (PURLs) which can be cut and pasted into email and web applications.

Gale/Cengage has made it a priority to offer equivalent access to its online products for persons with disabilities and comply with the Priority 1 and 2 Checklists designated by the World Wide Web Consortium (www.w3.org).

As they continue to expand and develop their online collection of products, Thomson Gale will make every effort to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

For details of the guidelines currently met by Gale/Cengage products see accessibility policy.