Main Contents Page

Before you start

STEP 1: STARTING OUT

STEP 2: FINDING

Information finding tools

- OPAC

- Internet

- Databases (incl CD Roms)

- Dewey (DDC)

Information sources

- Dictionaries

- Encyclopaedias

- Books

- Periodicals/Magazines/Journals

- Newspapers

- Audio-visual

- Internet

- Grey literature

- Broadcast media

- Conference proceedings/reports

- Course-specific resources

- Maps

- Government publications

- Standards

- Museums

- Archives

- Quizz

STEP 3: EVALUATE

STEP 4: LEGAL USE

STEP 5: COMMUNICATE

 

Using different information sources

Information finding tools/systems

Databases

What is a database?

A database is a collection of data grouped together for a specific purpose. A database is used to keep large amounts of information organised. This enables people to search for relevant information. You can sort, browse and find information in a database.

Many different types of databases are available in the Library. Some are available on the Internet and others on CD-Rom.

Different types of databases.

In a Library there are basically four types of databases:

TYPE DESCRIPTION

Bibliographic Databases

Index - These databases includes only critical detail that will help you to find the material you are looking for, e.g. name of the journal/periodical/book, name of author, volume number, issue number, date, etc.

Abstract Index - This type of database includes the critical information as described above as well as a short abstract (summary) of the content of the publication.

Full-text Database
Contains full-text articles, etc. An example of such a database would be Ebscohost. The text can be downloaded in different formats, such as pdf or html format.
Definition:
Format
"the general appearance of a publication" or "the arrangement of data "
(Source: The Collins English Dictionary, 1986:595)
Numeric Database This type of database provides numerical data such as statistics, survey results, census information, etc.
Hybrid Database This type of database provides a combination of different types of records.

Each database will have a description of what is available on the database. Make sure to read these descriptions before you start your search. Some databases are available to all students and lecturers for searching, while others may only be used by the Librarians, because of licence constraints.

Ask your Librarian for more information and help with your searches on databases.

Acknowledgement: Image - http://edie.cprost.sfu.ca/gcnet/