Digital Arts: Using information databases

Library databases are collections of resources like journal articles, eBooks, conference proceedings, reviews and newspaper articles which a supplier has put together and made searchable for those who use them.

They are useful because:

• they are quality resources written by experts and can therefore be trusted.
• they are often resources which aren't freely available on the internet.
• they have better search engines within them with more options to refine your search and help you find exactly what you want.
• they offer the facility to print, save and share documents as well as set alerts for anything new that is added.
• they often have help guides and tutorials.
• they often provide references for the resources which you can use and adapt.

• Think about your keywords before you start searching and plan some possible searches. 
• Think of broader terms, narrower terms and related subjects. Are there other words which mean the same thing?
• For best results, start as specific as possible. You can always broaden your search out if you aren't getting enough results.
• Start by just searching within the title and abstract fields to try to find the most relevant sources (use advanced search)
• Look through the tutorials and user guides for the database you are using.
• For plurals and words with the same stem, use a *. e.g crim* will search for criminal, criminology, criminals, crime, crimes.
• For phrases (or words together in a particular order) put your phrase in speech marks. e,g, "health and safety", "human resources"
• For alternative spellings use * instead of the letter that changes e.g. globali*ation (for globalisation or globalization), colo*r (for color or colour).
• Combine terms using AND. e.g. equality and workplace for items about equality in the workplace.
• Use OR where there are 2 words which largely mean the same thing e.g. wom*n OR ladies OR female
• Use NOT to exclude something e.g. crim* NOT crimson (as crimson isn't relevant for a search on crime).
• Try lots of different searches and combinations of keywords to find the best articles as different articles can use different words and terminology.
• If you find a good article, why not do an author search to see if they've written anything else?
• Use and search for useful articles mentioned in the reference list/ bibliography at the end of the most useful articles/ sources you find.

Click on the image below to try our Using Keywords activity. You will need to log in to Google Sites with your University login and password.

Choose your subject guide from the list below.

Holiday opening times

Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4:30pm

Friday 8.45am - 4pm

Holiday opening times

Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4:30pm

Friday 8.45am - 4pm