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Databases

Students who use this guide will understand the value of library databases, will be able to locate databases on the Rolfing Library website, and will be able to perform simple searches on a variety of topics.

Rolfing Library has over 100 databases.

How do you choose which ones to use for your research? 

Types of Databases

Background Information

Start research by gathering background information. Background information will supply a foundation on which to build further research. It will inform the kinds of questions you ask and help you formulate successful search strategies. You will learn

  • Time lines of events
  • Names of key figures related to your topic
  • Terminology related to your topic
  • Other basic facts about your topic

Reference resources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases are great sources for background information.

 

Suggested Databases for Background Information

General Purpose or Multidisciplinary Databases

Some databases have a broad focus and are useful for a range of topics. Here are a few examples.

Use the pull-down menu to select subject-specific databases

Pull-down menu for database subjects

Specific Resource Types

Perhaps you're looking specifically for newspaper articles or images or something else. You might want to explore one of these databases.

eBooks

Images

Newspapers

Video