By Christi Shaner

DATABASES What the heck are they!?!

DATABASES

ANYONE can post ANYTHING on the free web

Contains information on any topic (might be harder to find what you need)

No formal review process, so able to get up-to-the-minute information (often older information is not readily available)

Can be accessed for FREE by anyone with an internet connection

Search Engines (Google) only search the free web and are not organized by subject

FREE WEB

Articles are either peer-reviewed or reviewed by a professional editor

Tailored toward a specific audience or specific subject (makes searching easier)

Both historical and current information is contained here, and information is evaluated/reviewed

Require a subscription that is paid for by the institution (us!), can still be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection

Organized, reliable information that makes it easier to find exactly what you need (plus the citation information is compiled for you!)

There are a few similarities between the free web and databases, mainly that you access both of them online and the skill of keyword searching is needed for both, but that’s where it ends. In order to tell the difference between the two, there are certain things you need to know.

Databases are filled with several different types of sources such as newspapers, magazines and journals. Each of these sources is filled articles, reports, videos, images, etc… Think of databases as huge file cabinets that organize all types of different sources.

Use key words/terms when searching

Can also specify what type of “access point” you would like to use

Refine your search by using more than one search term

When searching a database, you never want to simply type a question. If you have a question you want answered, think about the key terms that are within that question. The key terms that you pull out are the ones you will want to type into the search boxes.. You may want to select what type of search you do as well.

When you select an article, you will notice that the citation information is available as well as the full text of the article. If the citation information is not right at the top of the page, look for a link or scroll down to the bottom of the article. Occasionally, there will only be an abstract of the article available-limit your search to full-text only if necessary.

• Covers wide variety of topics and sources

• Specific information relating to adolescent health issues

GENERAL and SUBJECT DATABASES

There are also different types of databases – general and subject-specific. General databases, like General Reference Center Gold, have several different types of resources as well as cover many different topic areas – literature, world history, science, etc... Subject databases will cover one main area. In this case, Teen Health and Wellness covers health concerns specifically related to teenagers.

WHEN?

WHY?

WHEN AND WHY

WOULD I USE A

DATABASE?

Use them any time you are doing research. “Why” you ask? Because they are either peer-reviewed or professionally edited and because the citation information has been compiled for you.

24/7 access through the GBS Library’s LibGuide

Page

DATABASE

SOURCES

ARTICLES

LET’S REVIEW!

FREE WEB