DATABASES
...OR HOW TO SEARCH A WHOLE BUNCH OF QUALITY INFORMATION FAST!
what is a database?
Yavapi College Library. “What are databases and why you need them.” YouTube, 29 Sep 2011, https://youtu.be/Q2GMtIuaNzU.
A database is a digital collection that can be searched. You probably use databases nearly every day already. Netflix is a database of videos. Amazon is a database of products. Both are searchable to find just what you want or need.
Research databases are the same. They are collections of information from reliable sources such as newspapers, magazines, journals, and encyclopedias that you can search. Each research database has a purpose or contains specific types of information. Our school has a few databases, the Nashua Public Library has some too, and colleges have many databases.
Research databases are your friend! Learn to use them now and you will thank us when you work on your college projects sitting in your pajamas in your dorm.
research databases list
Each research database has a unique username and password for access outside of the school network. View the database password list
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General Research/Background Information
Britannica School is a general encyclopedia which is a good place to get background information when you start your research.
This online encyclopedia contains:
Articles, biographies, media, primary sources and an interactive world atlas
Reading levels to adjust the complexity of the informational text.
Guides for research project planning, writing book reviews and lab reports, and preparing for oral presentation.
General Research/Background Information
Credo Source (formerly Source Reference) is a collection of reference materials for gathering background information as you begin your research.
This collection contains:
Subject specific reference books including books on literature, history, art, science, social science.
Mind maps that help you identify related topics and develop keywords.
Excellent instructional videos and tutorials on the research process
Learn more in the Source Reference slideshow
Magazines, Newspaper and Journals
EBSCO is a collection of many databases and is recommended for locating magazine, newspaper and journal articles. Explora is the user interface for these databases.
The EBSCO databases include:
Peer-reviewed and scholarly articles.
Databases for history, science, consumer health, education, the environment, and business.
Search features that filter results to full-text articles, date ranges, scholarly articles.
EBSCO database list with descriptions
Learn how to use Explora
Controversial Issues (Pro/Con)
SIRS Issues Researcher is recommended for argumentative papers and debates because it covers controversial issues in social, scientific, health, historic, economic and political topics from around the world.
This database contains:
Articles from reliable sources.
Hot topics such as online social networks, bullying in school and human trafficking.
Country information and maps.
Health topics
The Merck Manual is an authoritative source of medical information about diseases and symptoms. There are 2 versions: Consumer and Professional. Both versions are free for all users (no username or password required).
The Consumer version contains health information for patients, parents and caregivers.
The Professional version contains more detailed information for health care students and professionals.