How to Use Library Databases for Research

Library databases provide access to millions of scholarly articles, books, and research materials. Master advanced search techniques, Boolean operators, subject headings, and database features to find high-quality sources efficiently and improve your research outcomes.

Why Use Library Databases Instead of Google?

While Google is convenient, library databases offer significant advantages for academic research:

• Scholarly focus: Databases contain peer-reviewed, academically-vetted sources
• Full-text access: Direct access to complete articles your university subscribes to
• Advanced searching: Sophisticated tools for precise, efficient searches
• Subject organization: Content organized by academic discipline and subject headings
• Citation tools: Built-in citation export to reference managers
• Quality control: Curated content from reputable publishers

Library databases return scholarly sources, not clickbait or commercial content. For college-level research, databases are essential tools that Google cannot replace.

Types of Library Databases

General/Multidisciplinary Databases

Start here for broad topics or when exploring multiple perspectives:

Subject-Specific Databases

Use specialized databases for in-depth research in specific fields:

• Health/Medicine: PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library
• Psychology: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES
• Education: ERIC, Education Source
• Business: Business Source Complete, ABI/INFORM
• Sciences: SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Scopus
• Engineering: IEEE Xplore, Compendex
• Humanities: MLA International Bibliography, Project MUSE, JSTOR
• Social Sciences: SocINDEX, Sociological Abstracts
• Law: LexisNexis, Westlaw, HeinOnline

Specialized Resource Types

• Newspaper archives: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Nexis Uni
• Primary sources: Primary Source Media, JSTOR Primary Sources
• Statistical data: Statistical Insight, Data-Planet
• Dissertations: ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
• E-books: EBSCO eBooks, ProQuest Ebook Central

Getting Started with Database Searching

Accessing Databases

1. Navigate to your library website
2. Look for "Databases," "Research," or "Articles" links
3. Browse alphabetically or by subject
4. Click database name to enter
5. Authenticate with university credentials if off-campus

Choosing the Right Database

Select databases based on your research needs:

Understanding Database Interfaces

Most databases share common features:

• Search box: Main keyword search area
• Advanced search: Link to detailed search options
• Limiters/Filters: Sidebars or dropdowns for narrowing results
• Subject headings: Controlled vocabulary for precise searching
• Results list: Search results with article details
• Full text links: Access to complete articles
• Citation tools: Export references to citation managers

Basic Search Strategies

Keyword Searching

Start with simple keyword searches to explore your topic:

Using Boolean Operators

Combine search terms precisely using Boolean operators:

AND

Narrows search by requiring all terms: diabetes AND diet

OR

Expands search by allowing any term: college OR university

NOT

Excludes terms: apple NOT computer

Phrase Searching

Use quotation marks for exact phrases: "machine learning" finds those two words together in that order.

Wildcards and Truncation

• Asterisk (*): Finds word variations: psycholog* finds psychology, psychological, psychologist
• Question mark (?): Replaces single character: wom?n finds woman or women

Note: Wildcard symbols vary by database—check the help documentation.

Advanced Search Techniques

Using Advanced Search Interfaces

Click "Advanced Search" for powerful options:

• Multiple search boxes for complex Boolean queries
• Field-specific searching (title, author, subject)
• Date range limiters
• Publication type filters
• Language selection

Subject Headings and Thesaurus

Subject headings are standardized terms used to tag articles. They're more precise than keyword searching:

1. Perform initial keyword search
2. Find relevant article
3. Look at subject headings/descriptors for that article
4. Click subject headings to find all articles tagged with that term
5. Use database thesaurus to find related terms

Field Searching

Limit searches to specific fields for precision:

• TI (Title): TI climate change
• AU (Author): AU Smith, John
• AB (Abstract): AB methodology
• SU (Subject): SU psychology

Filtering and Limiting Results

Essential Filters

When to Use Filters

• Too many results: Apply filters to narrow down
• Too few results: Remove filters to expand search
• Irrelevant results: Use subject filters or advanced search
• Need recent research: Apply date filters

Smart Filtering Strategy

1. Start with broad search
2. Review first page of results
3. Apply "peer-reviewed" and "full text" filters
4. Add date range if needed
5. Use subject filters to eliminate off-topic results
6. Refine search terms based on results

Working with Search Results

Evaluating Results List

Each result typically shows:

• Article title (click for details)
• Authors and publication info
• Abstract or summary
• Subject headings/descriptors
• PDF or HTML full-text links
• Citation/export options
• Related articles or "Cited by" links

Sorting Results

Most databases offer sorting options:

• Relevance: Default; matches search terms best
• Date (newest first): Most recent research
• Date (oldest first): Historical development of topic
• Times cited: Most influential research

Accessing Full Text

If full text isn't immediately available:

1. Look for "Find full text" or "Check for full text" links
2. Try "FindIt@[Your Library]" or similar service
3. Check if available in another database
4. Request through interlibrary loan
5. Search article title in Google Scholar

Saving and Organizing Your Research

Creating Folders in Databases

Most databases let you save articles temporarily:

1. Create account or sign in (if required)
2. Select articles using checkboxes
3. Click "Save" or "Add to folder"
4. Access saved items from your account
5. Note: Saved items often expire after session

Exporting Citations

Export citations to reference management software:

1. Select articles to export
2. Click "Cite" or "Export"
3. Choose format (RIS, BibTeX, EndNote, etc.)
4. Import file into Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote
5. Verify citation information is complete

Using Citation Managers

Popular reference management tools:

• Zotero: Free, open-source, browser integration
• Mendeley: Free, PDF annotation, social features
• EndNote: Powerful but expensive; often provided by universities
• RefWorks: Web-based; may be provided by your library

Downloading PDFs

Best practices for PDF management:

• Download immediately when you find relevant articles
• Rename files: AuthorYear_ShortTitle.pdf
• Create organized folder structure by topic or project
• Back up your PDF collection regularly
• Use citation manager to automatically organize PDFs

Advanced Database Features

Setting Up Search Alerts

Get emails when new articles match your search:

1. Perform search in database
2. Look for "Create alert" or "Save search" option
3. Enter email and frequency preferences
4. Manage alerts from your database account

Citation Tracking

Follow research forward in time:

• Click "Times cited" or "Cited by" links
• Find newer research that cites foundational articles
• Track how theories and findings evolve
• Identify emerging trends and debates

Related Articles

Find similar research efficiently:

• Click "Related articles" or "Similar articles"
• Database algorithms find content matches
• Discover research you might have missed
• Explore different angles on your topic

Common Database Search Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Broad Searches

Problem: "education" returns 2 million results

Solution: Add specific terms: "online education effectiveness college students"

Mistake 2: Too Narrow Searches

Problem: Overly specific search returns zero results

Solution: Remove some terms, use broader synonyms, check spelling

Mistake 3: Not Using Boolean Operators

Problem: Unconnected keywords return unpredictable results

Solution: Use AND, OR, NOT to control search logic

Mistake 4: Ignoring Subject Headings

Problem: Missing relevant articles tagged with different terms

Solution: Use database thesaurus and subject headings

Mistake 5: Not Filtering for Peer Review

Problem: Results include non-scholarly sources

Solution: Always apply peer-reviewed/scholarly filter

Database Search Strategies by Assignment Type

For Literature Reviews

1. Start with subject-specific database in your field
2. Use subject headings for comprehensive coverage
3. Set appropriate date range (often 10-15 years)
4. Track citations to find seminal works
5. Use multiple databases for thorough search

For Current Events Papers

1. Use news databases (Nexis Uni, Newspaper Source)
2. Limit to recent dates
3. Search multiple news outlets for diverse perspectives
4. Supplement with scholarly analysis from academic databases

For Historical Research

1. Use JSTOR or archives with deep back files
2. Search primary source databases
3. Check historical newspaper archives
4. Don't limit by date—older sources are primary sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How many databases should I search?

For comprehensive research, search at least 2-3 databases: one general database and 1-2 subject-specific databases in your field. This ensures broad coverage and catches articles indexed differently across databases.

Why can't I access some articles?

Your library doesn't subscribe to every journal. Use interlibrary loan to request unavailable articles, check Google Scholar for open access versions, or contact authors directly for copies.

Do I need to cite the database?

No. Cite the article itself, not the database you found it in. Include the DOI when available. The database is simply your access point, not part of the citation.

How do I know if a database source is peer-reviewed?

Apply the peer-reviewed/scholarly filter in the database. Check the journal's website for peer review policies. Verify in Ulrich's Periodicals Directory. Ask a librarian if uncertain.

Can I access databases from home?

Yes. Use your university's VPN or follow the remote access instructions on your library website. You'll need to authenticate with your student credentials.

Related Guides

• How to Use Google Scholar Effectively
• How to Access Academic Journals: Student Guide
• Scholarly vs Popular Sources: What's the Difference?