Many students do not understand why the library provides so many databases. Don't they all do the same thing? In actuality, all databases are different because every databases is a different product that covers different:
Each database is owned by a different database provider. JSTOR and EBSCO are not databases, but database providers.
Think of databases as cars. In this metaphor, database providers replace car companies or makes (like Ford or Nissan), and the specific database is the car make (i.e. the Ford Edge or the Nissan Armada).
Each "car" has different parts and features that make it more appropriate for different tasks and different consumers. For example, a farmer who has to haul items will need a truck while a parent with several young children will need a minivan.
Now, just as there are several "cars" that have very similar features and functions, there are several databases that seem to do very similar tasks. However, even these databases are different from each other because the items they will search are different due to different company policies and ownership. Most trucks look and do the same thing and yet we have several different truck companies and the parts inside the trucks will be different. Databases are the same in this regard.
The library has a helpful Databases A-Z page that allows students to view all of the databases we have access to. Start at this page when selecting the right database for your research.
Each database has a title, a link for access the database, and a short description for what the database covers.
Take note of the Filter Bars at the top of the page.
You can filter the databases by Subject, which can be immensely helpful in finding the right database for your purposes. Simply select the subject that best describes the area you are working on and the results on the page will display only databases that cover that topic. Keep in mind that many research topics are multidisciplinary, so you many want to explore the databases in several different subjects.
You can also filter by database type. Choose from News, Audio, Image, Video, or Piano and vocal scores to find the appropriate database for your needs
The below links either search a large collection of databases at once or are very general in content. Use them as a starting place, but use other databases to find more relevant and useful results. Check out other LibGuides to find databases that cover the subject area that you are looking for.
Note: Do NOT save the article by copying the url on the top of the page. This is not a stable url, which means it will not lead back to the article you want at a later time. Instead, use the "permalink" option or use a Citation Manager, as described in the "Citation Managers: The Hero we need" section of this guide.