Online Databases

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What is a Database | Accessing | Types of Academic Databases | Selecting a Database | Organization of Databases

What is a Database?

A database is comprised of records. Each record within a database represents a single source. For example, a record in NovaCat represents a book or other item in the NSU Libraries.

Each record is composed of a set of fields that contain the individual elements of information. For example, each record in the ProQuest database includes the article title, author, journal name, date and subject heading fields related to a single article.

Each field is comprised of words and numbers. Databases often allow you to control searches by looking for words in specific fields or by looking for words in any field.

Accessing

To access databases

• Click on Electronic Resources in the black navigation bar across the top of the library home page
• Click Databases
• Depending on your affiliation with the library, click on NSU Patrons, NSU Alumni, Broward Patrons, or Walk-in Patrons.
• An authentication screen will appear:
  
  
  Authentication screen.
  
  
• Enter your last name and your University ID number. The table below indicates the number you should use as your University ID number.
  
  

  Library Patron	University ID Number for Log in
  NSU students, faculty and staff NSU alumni	University-issued ID number (About the NSU ID number...)
  Broward County residents and employees of Broward County	14-digit library ID number that appears on the back of your NSU library card. See library card
  Walk-in users	Log in by librarian.

  
  
• Click the Submit button.

Once you have authenticated, a Database List Search screen will open where you may select a list of databases by various criteria. You may select a list of databases

• by subject
• in alphabetical order
  • either all database beginning with a particular letter
  • or a complete alphabetical list
• by vendor (NSU patrons only)
• a list of Homework Helpers (databases recommended for kids and teens K-12) (Broward, NSU alumni, and walk-in patrons only)
  
  
  Selecting a list of databases.

Types of Academic Databases

There are different types of databases which provide different types of records. Examples and descriptions of common types of databases are listed below:

• Bibliographic databases–contain citations and subject headings (descriptors) for publications such as journal articles, books, conference proceedings, etc. A bibliographic database can be one of two types:

• An index–includes a citation and subject headings for each item–book, journal article, etc.
• An abstracted index–includes the citation, subject headings, and a brief summary (abstract) which summarizes the item's content. Abstracts can be useful in helping you determine whether a particular item meets your needs.

• Full text databases–contain the actual text of works ranging from journal articles to company annual reports and other types of documents. Full text databases may use different formats for presenting the full text of a document:

Full-image articles	Full-text articles (html)	Full-text plus graphics
Graphical files (pdf) that load slowly Adobe Acrobat Reader required to see files. Cannot cut and paste text Provide all the detail of a photocopy --including page numbers	Text files that load more rapidly Can cut and paste text Page numbers do not appear No pictures or charts Tables may not be available or may be in a text format Don't need special software to see document	Text files with attached pictures load relatively rapidly Can cut and paste text Page numbers do not appear Pictures, charts, and tables are included as enlargeable thumbnails

• Numeric or statistical databases–provide statistics, financial data, etc. These are sometimes presented in a spreadsheet format.

• Hybrid databases–provide a combination of records which may or may not include full text. They include a combination of citations only, citation and abstract, and full text records.

Selecting a Database

A well-constructed search will be fruitless, if you don't select an appropriate database.

Before selecting a database, consider the following questions:

• What subject area is involved?
• What type of information is needed? Factual data, general overviews and introductions, or in-depth research and evaluation?
• What are the time frames of the needed materials? Historical, contemporary or both?

After considering your information needs, you will be in a better position to select an appropriate database or databases to search.

When choosing a database consider the following factors:

• Scope and range.
  Each database covers specific subject areas. The Database lists provide brief descriptions of the subject content for the databases available via the Electronic Resources section.

• Coverage and types of publications.
  Some databases cover only journal articles while others index telephone numbers, company information, and books.

• Range of publication dates.
  Currency and updating of information are important issues. How long does it take an article to get published after it was accepted, and how often are new records added to the database? Also, only a limited number of databases contain material published before the 1970s. Full-text and full-image databases usually cover material published since the 1990s. Consult the database's introductory information to learn about years covered, since they can differ widely.

• Place of publication.
  Some databases only cover resources published in the United States while others include materials produced in other countries as well.

• Search techniques.
  Some databases may provide multiple searching methods, such as subject searching (controlled vocabulary), keyword searching, natural language.

• Language of publication.
  Some databases only cover materials written in English while others cover materials in foreign languages. Still others provide the citation and abstract in English, but the article may be in another language.

• Availability of the journals or books indexed.
  The Sherman Library has a strong collection in education, business, psychology, and computer science. When searching databases in other areas such as music, anthropology, literature, and sports, where the journals indexed are rarely found in the Sherman Library, students will have to use Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery, or their local library to access these resources.

• Search aids, documentation, online help.
  Database producers and vendors usually provide help information in print or online.

Organization of Databases in the Electronic Resources section

The database listings provide a description of each database that typically includes information about availability of full text and date coverage. The symbol denotes that a database description is available–click on the symbol and a pop-up window will open.

The database listings may include trial databases marked with a Trial icon . Trial databases are products that NSU is considering for purchase. Trial databases are only available for a limited period of time–if you use a trial database make sure that you obtain all the information that you need from it before the trial expires.

The database listings also indicate where a database may be accessed -- on campus, off-campus (remotely), in a specific library. The following symbols are used to indicate this information

Other icons in the legend indicate type of database

		Recommended for K-12.
		Contains electronic books.