Closeup: Library Databases

Databases typically have features and tools that can help you in your search. Much like the Jim Dan Hill Library catalog, you may see features around the edges of the search page (on a mobile device, these may be below the search window). These features may be labeled by terms like "genre" or "publication date", or may specify that they are serving as a filter, limiter, or refiner. Most databases also include such features in their "advanced search" window. 

*While each database platform will be somewhat distinct, here are some common terms with explanation:   

• “Limit” or “Show Only” (etc.) 

  • Selections here usually give you the option to limit what you see to things like  peer-reviewed articles, full text items, and/or open access materials

• “Type” (Resource, Item, Document, Etc.) 

  • This parameter usually shows you the resource formats and gives you a chance to specify what format(s)  you would like—such as newspaper, magazine, scholarly article,  book, or other media type

• “Date”

  • This gives you the option to specify dates (and date ranges) for resources.  

• “Subject”

  • This shows you the specific subject terms from your search and gives you the option to select and search for additional relevant subjects.

  • hint: if you have identified a resource you find particularly relevant, you can also look at the subject terms listed in the catalog record and use any of those as search terms 

• “Publisher” or “Publication”

  • This shows you who published the sources in the search results list and/or gives you the option to select specific publications by title. (These may also be identified as "journals" with a list of journal titles)

• “Author”

  • This lists the authors of the resources in the search results list and gives you the option to select a specific author. 

• “Language”

  • This gives you the option to specify what language the resources should be in. 

• “Search Within” (and similar)

  • This kind of limiter gives you the option to search for a word within the results list. 

*This content adapted from "Database Searching", from the SUNY New Paltz Sojourner Truth Library

Especially if you are new to library database searches, they may feel awkward or uncomfortable at first. Unlike search engines or AI, most library databases do not respond to a sentence or a question. Instead, library databases usually search records for very specific terms and parameters provided by the searcher. Having a search strategy can make this simpler and can increase your success! Here are some tips:

(University of Illinois, Scholarly Commons, 2019)

Be sure to keep track of your findings!

1) You can create citations as you go, including through use of  Zotero 

2) Many databases, as well as the library's catalog, will give you the option of saving a permanent link, sometimes called a "permalink." To ensure continued access, you always want to do this, rather than copy the url in your browser window! 

- Here's an example from HeinOnline

The library's catalog also features a permalink for each record, as shown here

3) In some cases, there may not be an obviously marked permalink. In such instances, look for options to either log in to have access to "share" or to "pin." Choosing "share" will result in a kind of a permalink option you can email yourself or save. Choosing to "pin," such as in the JDH Library catalog, will save the record to your account.  Where full text is available, consider downloading or exporting the file to ensure you can find it again (just be very mindful of where you save it and what you call it!) 

Here's an example from a ProQuest database

Here, you can see that once a record is "pinned" in the library catalog, it's necessary to log in to save the record to your account