1. Scholarly Journal Articles
These are peer-reviewed articles written by experts and researchers in a specific field. They present original research, in-depth analysis, or critical reviews of existing research. Use them when you need credible, evidence-based information for academic assignments or projects.
2. Magazine Articles
Written for a general audience, magazine articles are often more accessible and easier to read than scholarly articles. They cover current trends, opinions, or overviews of topics and can help you understand how an issue is discussed in the public sphere.
3. Newspaper Articles
These provide up-to-date coverage of events, interviews, and issues at local, national, or international levels. While not scholarly, newspapers can offer primary source material or insight into public discourse and real-time responses to events.
4. Ebooks
Many databases include full-text access to academic books or chapters. Ebooks are great for deeper background reading, overviews of topics, or foundational concepts in a field.
5. Reference Entries
Reference sources like encyclopedias, handbooks, and dictionaries provide concise definitions, summaries, and explanations. These are useful when you're just getting started with a topic and need to understand the basics before diving deeper.
6. Reports
These include government reports, policy briefs, research studies, and industry analyses. They’re often produced by organizations, think tanks, or agencies and are helpful for real-world data, policy insights, or statistics.
7. Conference Papers
Conference proceedings or papers present the latest research findings and are often shared before formal publication. They can give you a glimpse into emerging trends or ideas in a field.
8. Dissertations and Theses
These are extensive research projects completed as part of graduate or doctoral studies. They can be a rich source of detailed research, literature reviews, and bibliographies, especially on niche or emerging topics.
9. Multimedia (Videos, Audio, Podcasts)
Some academic databases include educational videos, lectures, documentaries, or academic podcasts. These can be useful for visual or auditory learners, or for understanding concepts in a more engaging format.