A library database is an online resource that the library subscribes to that contains articles and information from print sources such as magazines, newspapers, journals, and reference books.
An article database enables you to search through thousands (sometimes millions) of different magazines, journals and newspapers to find articles on a particular topic. Some of the articles you will find are Full Text, which means you can read (or print out) the entire article right there online. Other times the database will only provide you with an abstract, or summary of the article. Other times, the database will only give you a citation, which tells you where you can find a print version of the article.
Although you access our databases from the internet, the articles you find in them are reprinted from real live print sources. Most of the things you find in our database cannot be found by searching Google or Wikipedia. These are subscription services that the library pays for. They are every bit a part of our library's collection as the books on our shelf, and unless you want to buy your own subscription, you must go through the library's website to access them.
|
|
Scholarly |
Popular (Magazines) |
|
Purpose |
Report results of research |
Report current events Entertainment Summarize research of general interest |
|
Audience |
Scholars, researchers and students in a particular field of study |
General population |
|
Authors |
Researchers, Experts in field Named Credentials given |
Journalists Often unnamed Credentials not given |
|
Characteristics |
Long articles (5+ pages) No advertisements Citations Technical or specialized language Peer reviewed
|
Short articles Pictures and advertisements No citations Every day language Not peer reviewed |
