2.4.2 Databases and e-books
A database is a searchable collection of records referring to published information. To be precise, library catalogues and the Internet are both databases, but the library uses the term to refer to database products produced by external parties. Some databases are free of charge and others are subscribed to, on your behalf, by USQ Library.
View a demonstration of a database record. 5:32 minutes. You can also view the text version of this demonstration if you prefer.
The content of databases varies.
| Databases may refer to or contain: | Examples |
| Statistics | AusStats |
| Images | Bridgeman Art Library |
| Audiofiles | Classical Music Library |
| Annual Reports | Connect 4 |
| Company Information | Factiva |
| Case Law | Lexis Nexis |
| Standards | Australian Standards Online |
| Journal Articles | Blackwell Synergy |
The databases we will focus on are those used to identify individual periodical articles.
Databases which contain and refer to journal articles
At the very least a database will provide basic bibliographic information including:
- the author (of article)
- the title (of article)
- the title (of source of article)
- the volume, issue, and/or publication year
- page numbering
This is enough information for you to locate a copy of the periodical article.
In addition to these bibliographic details, some databases will provide:
- subject headings
- an abstract or summary
- full text
Fulltext means that you will be able to view the entire article in that database. Fulltext access can come in various formats.
The two main formats are HTML and PDF.
| Format | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| HTML |
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