Search Engines
VS.
Databases
What are they, and what do they do?
Information provided by CSN LibraryWhat are they, and what do they do?
Search Engines
Search Engines
A search engine will allow you to search for information found on the web using simple keywords. Search engines use software to routinely scour the web to identify and index web pages. The software used by different search engines varies, meaning each search engine will have slightly different search results. Information contained within search engines is constantly changing. There is no guarantee that what you find today will be there tomorrow. Search engines are free to use.
A search engine will allow you to search for information found on the web using simple keywords. Search engines use software to routinely scour the web to identify and index web pages. The software used by different search engines varies, meaning each search engine will have slightly different search results. Information contained within search engines is constantly changing. There is no guarantee that what you find today will be there tomorrow. Search engines are free to use.
Examples: Google , Bing , Yahoo.
Examples: Google , Bing , Yahoo.
Databases
Databases
A database is an organized collection of electronic, digitized information that can be searched in a variety of ways. Databases typically include information from magazines, journals, newspapers, and electronic books. Information in a database has gone through the editorial process, and because of this, it is thought to be credible and reliable. Databases are not free, and require a subscription. Libraries, government agencies, and some nonprofits make databases available to their patrons.
A database is an organized collection of electronic, digitized information that can be searched in a variety of ways. Databases typically include information from magazines, journals, newspapers, and electronic books. Information in a database has gone through the editorial process, and because of this, it is thought to be credible and reliable. Databases are not free, and require a subscription. Libraries, government agencies, and some nonprofits make databases available to their patrons.
Examples: Infobase, Ebscohost, Jstor.
Examples: Infobase, Ebscohost, Jstor.
To learn more about the differences between search engines and databases visit CSN Library's web page HERE
Free VS. Fee Based Web
Free VS. Fee Based Web
Websites that provide free and accessible information to any user who has an internet connection. Sites you frequently access, such as Google, are apart of the "free web."
Websites that provide free and accessible information to any user who has an internet connection. Sites you frequently access, such as Google, are apart of the "free web."
Websites that require users to pay for a subscription. Databases are "fee-based" websites. Users pay for the reliability, and high quality, of these sources.
Websites that require users to pay for a subscription. Databases are "fee-based" websites. Users pay for the reliability, and high quality, of these sources.
One major criticism of databases is that they are not free to use. Access to most databases are restricted to users who have paid for a subscription- this is called a paywall. These costly subscriptions can prevent some users from accessing valuable information.
One major criticism of databases is that they are not free to use. Access to most databases are restricted to users who have paid for a subscription- this is called a paywall. These costly subscriptions can prevent some users from accessing valuable information.
Luckily your library gives you access to databases! Check them out HERE.
Luckily your library gives you access to databases! Check them out HERE.
To learn more about Free VS. Fee based web sources visit MIT's Libguide HERE
Why Search Engines can be Problematic.
Why Search Engines can be Problematic.
There is a massive amount of content on the internet. Due to the large amount of information that has to be managed search engines struggle to regulate the quality of search results. In some cases outdated or low quality search results will be presented to users.
There is a massive amount of content on the internet. Due to the large amount of information that has to be managed search engines struggle to regulate the quality of search results. In some cases outdated or low quality search results will be presented to users.
Search engines can be biased. Did you know some search engines track your search history? They will use this information to alter the search results presented to you. This is often referred to as search bias. This means that the results presented to you may not contain the most accurate or reliable information.
Search engines can be biased. Did you know some search engines track your search history? They will use this information to alter the search results presented to you. This is often referred to as search bias. This means that the results presented to you may not contain the most accurate or reliable information.
Search Engines generate advertising revenue based on your search results. The goal of some search engines is to get users to click on search results that generate them the most profit. This means that these search results will be presented before other more relevant sources.
Search Engines generate advertising revenue based on your search results. The goal of some search engines is to get users to click on search results that generate them the most profit. This means that these search results will be presented before other more relevant sources.
Users of search engines tend to examine only the first few pages of search results. Large organizations know this and will pay search engines money to be displayed before other more relevant websites.
Users of search engines tend to examine only the first few pages of search results. Large organizations know this and will pay search engines money to be displayed before other more relevant websites.
Which Resource Should You Use?
Which Resource Should You Use?
Remember to check your assignment when choosing a resource to use. Teachers will often require students to use databases!
Remember to check your assignment when choosing a resource to use. Teachers will often require students to use databases!
If you decide to use internet search engines for research make sure you check out How to Use Google Effectively
If you decide to use internet search engines for research make sure you check out How to Use Google Effectively
Peer Review
Peer Review
Databases contain high-quality resources because they have been through the peer review process. To learn more about the peer review process watch the video below.
The peer review process ensures that information is reliable and accurate. To search for peer reviewed materials in the library databases simply select "peer review" in the advanced search options.