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URL API Specification
Frequently Asked Questions
What's an "API"?
The acronym stands for "application programming interface." It's a mechanism that allows programmers to call functions within another application. In this case, you will be constructing a URL rather than writing a computer program. The application you will send instructions to is the LexisNexis Academic service itself, and you will be able to call the following three functions.
- Document-level link - retrieves a specific document.
- Source-level link - opens the Power Search form and populates the source selection options to facilitate user-initiated searching of a specific source.
- Search form link - open any search form in LexisNexis Academic.
The URL API is also used to support third-party vendors who provide article linking and federated search software to academic libraries. The developers of these systems can use the API to link authorized user automatically to full text documents in the LexisNexis Academic service. In the case of link resolvers, the required document is identified from a citation in a source database and, once LexisNexis Academic is identified as an appropriate target database, the API is used to deliver the full text document. Federated search services can use the API in a similar way, to link from a citation in their results list to the full-text document in LexisNexis Academic.
Can You Give Me an Example?
If you are an authorized user currently connected to your institution’s network, you should be able to try out the three different function by below by clicking on the URLs below.
- Document-level link Example:
Link to an article in Chronicle of Higher Education - Source-level link Example:
Search the New York Times - Search form link Example:
Open the Federal and State Cases Search Form
Do I Have To Install Anything?
No. The URL API Specification simply provides directions for constructing URLs. The API does all the work of interpreting these URLs within LexisNexis Academic.
When Will My Link Resolver Work with LexisNexis Academic?
That depends on how quickly your provider is able to incorporate the URL API into its service. LexisNexis is currently working with the following companies and organizations to support their link resolver systems. If your provider is not on this list, please direct them to this webpage to obtain the Specification and LexisNexis contact information.
- CSA
- Ex Libris/SFX
- OCLC Openly Informatics
- OhioLINK
- Serials Solutions
- TDNet
To Order This Product
Contact your LexisNexis sales representative, call us at (800) 638-8380 or email us at academicinfo@lexisnexis.com. Money-saving offers include an annual volume discount plan, standing order discounts and deferred payment options.
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