How to Search a Database

How Can I Decide Which Database to Use?

Databases usually focus on a particular area, such as popular magazines, academic journals in a particular field, or information reported during a U.S. Government census. Before you consider using a database, ask yourself these questions:

• Is my subject covered in this database? Some databases cover a specific subject area in depth while others are more broadly focused.
• Does it cover the time period I'm interested in? Many databases, for example, cover only recent publications—often no earlier than 1980—and so may not help if you are looking for anything older.
• For whom is the database designed? If you're considering a particular database, ask yourself whether it covers articles written for an expert audience or a more general audience. Some databases focus on highly technical research and scholarship; others lead to articles written for a nonspecialist audience.