Database FAQ
Can’t I just Google the same information?
Most of the information found by using Internet search engines, such as Google, is free. Library databases contain copyrighted, licensed, and proprietary information. LGSUHSD pays for access to databases so that students and teachers can access the information for free. Most information retrieved from Google hasn't been evaluated. It could be inaccurate, biased, or it might not be current. You will need to carefully evaluate information. Articles found in the library databases have already been evaluated for accuracy and credibility by discipline-specific experts and publishers. |
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Will I need databases once I leave Saratoga High School?
Yes. Most universities subscribe to hundreds of databases. Their expectation of incoming Freshman is that that they will know how to select, search, evaluate, use and cite. information found in databases.
Yes. Most universities subscribe to hundreds of databases. Their expectation of incoming Freshman is that that they will know how to select, search, evaluate, use and cite. information found in databases.
My teacher told our class we can’t use any Internet sources or that we must have one "hard" or "printed" source. Can I still use the library databases?
Yes. Library databases are not considered the Internet. They contain print material that has been digitized for electronic access.
Yes. Library databases are not considered the Internet. They contain print material that has been digitized for electronic access.
Credible and Reliable: Databases vs. the Internet.
Since anyone can easily publish information on the internet, it is important for students to evaluate the information they find on the internet to make sure it is credible, reliable, and, if required by a teacher, scholarly. Here is guide to help students evaluate internet sources. The biggest problem with internet sources is that they may not provide enough information about the author to determine if the author is credible. Much of the information on the internet is not cited. Even if the information is accurate, a good researcher cites their information sources. Without knowing where the information comes from, the information can not be used in school research projects. Information in a database is vetted. All of the information you will find in a database is credible and reliable. You will still need to determine if the information is appropriate to support your thesis. Database articles contain complete bibliographic information. This makes it easy to know if the information meet the requirements of the teacher's assignment. Databases allow you to easily separate academic journals from less scholarly publications.
Since anyone can easily publish information on the internet, it is important for students to evaluate the information they find on the internet to make sure it is credible, reliable, and, if required by a teacher, scholarly. Here is guide to help students evaluate internet sources. The biggest problem with internet sources is that they may not provide enough information about the author to determine if the author is credible. Much of the information on the internet is not cited. Even if the information is accurate, a good researcher cites their information sources. Without knowing where the information comes from, the information can not be used in school research projects. Information in a database is vetted. All of the information you will find in a database is credible and reliable. You will still need to determine if the information is appropriate to support your thesis. Database articles contain complete bibliographic information. This makes it easy to know if the information meet the requirements of the teacher's assignment. Databases allow you to easily separate academic journals from less scholarly publications.
Is the information I find on Google scholarly?
Sometimes, but usually not. Scholarly articles cite other research related to the topic. With most of the websites you find on Google, you might be lucky if you get one or two citations backing up a thesis or a point. Academic articles published on library databases will point you to detailed, thoughtful bibliographies from other substantial works that can streamline results in a much more professional fashion. You will need to carefully evaluate information you find on Google, this can take a lot of time and energy. Articles found in the library databases have already been evaluated for accuracy and credibility by discipline-specific experts and publishers
Sometimes, but usually not. Scholarly articles cite other research related to the topic. With most of the websites you find on Google, you might be lucky if you get one or two citations backing up a thesis or a point. Academic articles published on library databases will point you to detailed, thoughtful bibliographies from other substantial works that can streamline results in a much more professional fashion. You will need to carefully evaluate information you find on Google, this can take a lot of time and energy. Articles found in the library databases have already been evaluated for accuracy and credibility by discipline-specific experts and publishers