Introduction to Power Searching Workshop: 6. Library Discovery Tool: Databases

Connect to all Databases Page [Note: Page also links to full text archival collections]

Subject Indexes 

• By Discipline : e.g. CINAHL: Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Heath Literature
• By Theme :  e.g. Women's Studies International
• Interdisciplinary:  e.g. Academic Search Complete

Citation Indexes

Constructed to search forward and backward by citation, answering the question "Who cited my favorite article?" , the "Who cited the study citing my favorite article?"  ETC.

Example:  Web of Science

*Note: many subject indexes have limited forward citation searching, as does Google Scholar

Specialty Indexes by Document Type*

*many databases now use open URL to pull records from other archives into the Index [ or link out to the record] , so it may be transparent to the scholar whether the full text is part of the database proper, or pulled into the search results.   [It doesn't matter as long as you have the PDF.]

• Newspaper Indexes, e.g. Newspaper Source
• Dissertation Indexes, e.g. Dissertation and Theses Database
• Conference Proceeding Indexes, e.g. Proceedings First

DATABASE at Postmasters, March 2009 by Michael Mandiberg / CC Attribution Share Alike 2.0 Generic 

Databases are formal library discovery tools used to locate traditional library [e.g. books, journal articles, documents] and sometimes, nontraditional resources [e.g.web sites].   They are the academic gateway to scholarly communication in any field and around any academic topic.

Databases often..

• Had a first life as print indexes, pre-Internet.
• Are professionally indexed to allow for mulitple kinds of queries.
• [Usually] Use controlled vocabulary for subject headings.
• Have multiple levels of search and limitation options
• Are designed to index an academic field or topic, though some are interdisciplinary
• Acquired by libraries through annual subscriptions

Pros:

• Databases offer the best options for precision academic searching, when engaging the larger academic conversation on at topic is important.
• Many include links to full text, or full text within the database.  
• Almost always an export to Refworks or other bibliographic managers.
• Citations can be identified and moved in groups, rather than one by one
• Searches can be saved and alerts placed, usually.

Cons:

• Costs: Databasesare very expensive. Subscribers are generally large corporations or libraries. Individuals without library memberships typically have no access to these tools.
• Access:  Access is generally restricted by password or IP range to true library patrons.
• Searching skills: Basic knowledge of database characteristics and search platform search syntax and needed to use the index effectively and efficiently.

Know what is under your cursor!

Things to know about a Database

Who publishes it ? : 

• Professional Association? U.S. Gov.? For Profit? Not for Profit

What is the editorial focus? bias?
Criteria for inclusion/exclusion

• Document type,e.g.  peer reviewed journals?
• Core journal list ?
• How many years back does index go?
• How current is the index?
• How large is the database?

How is the database indexed?

• Professionally catalogued?
• Controlled Vocabulary Subject Headings (thesaurus)?
• Indexed [searchable] fields? e.g. methodology, tests and measurements