A library database is an online searchable collection of information. Libraries buy subscriptions to databases so learners (like you!) can find useful and interesting information such as
The library databases we subscribe to are specific to the academic programs offered on our campus'. Students, faculty, and staff can use our library databases to find research and information on a variety of topics. Each database is made up of specific publications like academic journals and magazines that make up what sort of information can be found in that database.
Each source of information is organised and indexed by subject terms and keywords based on what the source is about.
Articles from scholarly journals, also called peer-reviewed, academic, refereed, or professional journals, are often required or strongly recommended by faculty at the university level for use in writing research papers and projects. This criteria is especially true for upper division courses and is essential in quality graduate work. These are some characteristics that distinguish scholarly journals from other periodicals:
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News, Opinion, or Popular
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Trade
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Scholarly
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Author
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Journalist, freelance writer, editorial staff; might not be named | Staff writers, freelance authors | Researcher or scholar in the field; credentials listed |
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Audience
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General public | Specific industry, trade, organization, or profession; jargon often used | Other scholars, professionals, or students familiar with the field |
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What is the purpose of the publication?
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To inform or entertain | To describe issues, problems, or trends in the field | To report original research, experiments, or theories |
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Are sources cited?
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Sources may be cited or identified, but usually not | Sometimes, usually not | Always have footnotes or bibliography |
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Who publishes it?
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Commercial enterprise or an interest organization | Commercial enterprise, trade association | Professional association or commercial enterprise |
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Appearance in print?
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- May have glossy pages |
- Cover depicts industrial setting |
- Somber, serious |
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Examples
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Popular: Empire, People; News or general interest: Newsweek, Time |
Advertising Age, Progressive Grocer | Harvard Educational Review, Journal of Marriage and Family, Social Science Quarterly, Theological Studies |
Research articles written for scholarly journals are heavily reviewed and revised before being accepted for publication. Guidelines for contributors are usually listed somewhere in the publication. Articles are often anonymously reviewed by several other subject experts; this process is called "peer review" and such a periodical is considered a "refereed journal."
Comparing Scholarly Journals with Magazines was produced by Diane Duesterhoeft at St. Mary's University.
An ebook is a text presented in a format which allows it to be read on a computer or handheld device. Many titles which are available in printed versions can be read as ebooks, including bestselling fiction, classics and reference texts. Ebooks are also used to make out-of-print work available, or to bypass print altogether, as with new works by aspiring authors. Ebooks can consist simply of the electronic text or may also contain extras, such as audio, video or hyperlinks.
Library collections today include a mix of print and electronic books. Being able to navigate and use eBooks will add significantly to the resources available to you for your work.
The term "grey literature" describes information sources that have been produced outside of the traditional publishing and distribution channels used by academic books and journals. Examples include conference proceedings, theses and dissertations, government reports, census data, white papers, working papers, newsletters, technical reports, and patents. These sources are usually not peer-reviewed but can still be valuable to your research as they often cover current and emerging research and are a good source for raw data, statistics, and policies.
Search across the collections of Australian cultural institutions such as libraries, galleries, archives and museums for a wide variety of material including books, theses, reports, images, maps, conference proceedings, archived websites, and historical newspapers.