Databases are a "usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)".
Basically, a database is an electronically organized catalog, index, and container for published information such as journal, newspaper, and magazine articles, as well as ebooks, streaming video and audio files.
A database is either general or subject/discipline specific and is searchable by keyword, subject, author, or title.
A library database will provide scholarly and peer-reviewed sources that are appropriate to use for academic research and writing.
The box on the right is a list of some of the most popular general use databases that SC4 subscribes to. If you need help searching the databases, please ask a librarian!
"Database." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2017.
Most databases are searchable by keyword or subject. It's usually best to avoid typing full sentences into a database search engine; using keywords and Boolean operators will almost always return better results.
As this image from Academic Search Complete's advanced search shows, you may search using Boolean operators or by searching for any or all of your search terms.
You can also narrow down your results by publication date, by publication type, by full text, and by many other limiters.
Results can be refined by language, author, document type, or others. Some databases mix scholarly and non-scholarly sources, and will allow you to limit between the two.
Depending on the database you are using, articles may be displayed in different formats:
This link opens in a new windowOffers an enormous collection of full-text journals, providing users access to critical information from many sources unique to this database. Content for STEM, social sciences, humanities and more.
Original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Reports published from 1991 to present.
Easy to access reference resources from encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies, quotations and more.
Over 250,000 eBooks in a variety of academic subject areas.
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