Database Searching Tips
There is no standardized format for a database’s appearance or user interface. However, most databases offer similar search functionality.
- Keyword searching is default on many databases.
- Use important nouns as search words.
- Try using synonyms of your search words: college, university, "higher education".
- Avoid using common words: "a", "an","the","to","by", "of", etc.
- Use double
quotations marks to search for an exact phrase.
Example: “embryonic stem cell”
Database Searching Video
General Databases
The following databases are multi-disciplinary and will retrieve articles on almost any topic.
Many offer the option to limit searches to articles found in scholarly and peer-reviewed journals.
Academic OneFile: General database with articles and reviews
Academic Search Premier: Useful articles on a variety of topics
Points of View: Articles on controversial topic.
Database List: Click here for more databases arranged by subject