5.2: Choosing a database

Now you can go to a computer and start the research you will use for your paper/project. You have thought through your topic, identified questions to explore, terms to use and how best they will be combined. Now it is time to pick a database (or two or three or...). For good research, you will find that you will often use multiple databases. Most of the information you will use for your academic papers and projects will come from books and articles that you will find via library databases. When first using a database, be sure and move the scroll bar all the way up and down to see what searching and limiting options you have. Click on the advanced search and scroll up and down again. In some databases you will see the options change a bit once you have done a search or when you are further along in the process. Read the pages that appear so you can take advantage of all your search options.

Every Database is Different

Some have books, others have articles and some have both or other kinds of information. Some specialize in one subject field and have information only on nursing or psychology, or botany and so on. Some have information on just about everything. Some have scholarly information, some have popular information and some have both. Some allow you to limit your search to scholarly information. Some allow you to limit your search to only items that are available in full-text. Some give you access to information on the internet, others only provide information they have purchased. Be aware of these possibilities and look for them.

Every Database is the Same

Every database is searchable. Every database uses Boolean logic. Every database has fields so always check the advanced search to see what fields you can search. For now, just know that all databases have fields. Most databases will allow you to print and/or email what you find. Some will put your citations in a particular style such as APA or MLA as an option when you send via email. (Always check these automated citations for errors and refer citation styles such as MLA or APA.) Most allow truncation and phrase searching. Be aware of these possibilities and look for them.

Databases offer Books, Article, Media and More

Choose a database that will have the kind of information you will need by reading the database descriptions provided or by asking a librarian. Library databases may contain lists of articles, full text articles, a list of books, periodicals, DVDs owned by the library, the full text of books or streaming video. Some specialize in a certain topic, like history, or environmental science, business or computer science, nursing or education.

Free Databases and Access from Home

Most vendors of scholarly databases charge for articles, but your institution and the public library pay for the ones they provide and offer them to you free of charge. It is important to go through your institution’s website to reach the database so you can get to them freely. If you are enrolled in a college, chances are you can access many of the databases from home or any off campus spot with web access. If you go directly to the database provider’s website, such as EBSCO or ProQuest, you will not have access, unless you pay. Most often your library will have a page of databases from which you may choose. Choose the one that offers both the topic and type of resource (books, articles, etc.) you need.

Google is a Database

Google works a lot like a database so the same searching tips we have discussed also apply. Used in conjunction with library databases and applying solid evaluation criteria, Google can be a very useful tool to access information but does not replace the high quality information found in most academic library databases. Before using Google, ask yourself, “How am I going to use the information?” and “What kind of information do I need?” Is Google the best place to look for the information you need? As with other databases, look for Google’s advanced search which will provide more search options. Google can link us to a wealth of information on the web. Like any information, information found through Google needs to be evaluated. Google is great at finding organizations and associations that might have information on your topic.

Wise fool

Nasrudin Sufi stories have been used to learn about both the sacred and profane since the 13th century. Here is how Shah (1964) tells one of the most well-known stories about Nasrudin:

On one occasion a neighbor found him down on his knees looking for something.

“What have you lost, Mullah?”

“My key,” said Nasrudin. After a few minutes of searching, the other man said,

“Where did you drop it?”

“At home.”

“Then why, for heaven’s sake, are you looking here?”

“There is more light here.”

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Los Angeles County Museum of Art Source: cdn.loc.gov/service/
pnp/highsm/21800/21894v.jpg

For our purposes, we can learn from the wise old fool that we should not look for the answers to our questions in the place that seems easiest, but rather where the information we need will be found. The goal is to answer your questions, not simply take the first few things that pop up on your screen and use only them. Choose a database that has the kind of information you want (book, articles…), covers the topics you need (general or subject specific information) and has information meeting any other criteria you need (peer reviewed, primary source…).