How to Select a Database to Find Articles

Articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers can be obtained by using the Library's online database systems. Gutman Library subscribes to several systems. Selecting appropriate databases can be daunting when presented with the many choices available. Here are some tips:

Before you choose a database, decide how you will approach your topic. 
Information in online databases is often organized according to:

• the subject, or discipline -- Business, Anthropology, Architecture, etc.
• the type of publication the information is in -- newspapers, trade publications, scholarly journals
• a combination of both of these methods of organization

Database Selection  Menus
If you know the NAME of the database you want, simply use the slection menu on the library homepage.  Its the box in the center of the library homepage that reads "Article Search--Select a Database from A-Z List."

If you are not sure which databases you might need, click on the Electronic Resources category in the left frame of the library's homepage. A  page of  "Links" and "Databases" will appear. Databases are arranged according to the Schools: click on the school that the assignment you are working on is for, and you will be provided with more information about what is available.

Along with the subject-specific information, there is a link reading "Help Picking Databases." This links to the  Database Selection Guide, which contains descriptions of the scope and content of all the different databases available via Gutman Library. There is also a Quick Select Menu on this page, so you can connect to the databases you have chosen, after reading their descriptions.

A Little Knowledge Can Save a Lot of Time
The more you know about the different databases, the better selections you will make.
Another approach is to combine your database knowledge with your knowledge of your research topic.

Basic Database Selection Questions:
Ask yourself what type of resource is more likely to have the information you need:

• a newspaper?
• a scholarly journal? 
• a specific company's annual report?

Deciding the most likely source will help determine which database to use.
Different databases are composed of information from different types of sources.

Ask yourself if the database you select provides full-text, or only citations and /or abstracts:

• if the database you need to use does not have full-text,  you need to allow yourself extra research time to locate the full-text of the articles
• do you know how to place an Interlibrary Loan request, or how to use the catalogs of other local libraries from which you might be able to obtain the full-text? Ask librarians for help.

Understand the scope of the database you select. Ask yourself:

• does this database cover the subject area (discipline) I really need, or is there a better, more focused database?
• does this database provide indexing for the date range I need? Will this database point me to or provide the full-text for articles written during the time period that is appropriate for my research need? 

At this time, many online databases do not provide as much full-text prior to 1996 or so, and many do not provide indexing that extends further back than the last 20 years. Although retrospective materials are sometimes added to databases, the actual article you need might not be available electronically, because it is too old.

Ask yourself if there are special advanced features that can improve your search results or make searching easier:

• does this database allow me to limit my search to a specific date range, or to a particular magazine or journal?
• does this database allow me to email or download articles to disk?
• does this database have features that can help me to generate better search terms, like the Thesaurus feature in ProQuest, or the "Browse" feature in Wilson Web and FirstSearch?

• Gutman Library provides several workshops each semester to provide training in the use of our numerous online resources. Click here to see the current training schedule.
• Each of the five Gutman Librarians are a liaison to one of the Schools, and can provide in-depth research assistance to students and faculty. Consult the Staff List  page for the appropriate Librarian to assist you, and their contact information.

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