Websites are great starting points, but databases generally have the edge over websites when it comes to conducting academic research.
Databases: pros and cons
What are some of the benefits of using databases?
- They're ideal for in-depth research on complex topics
- They contain a large amount of research written by professionals
- They include easy to add limits to help refine searches and pinpoint topics
- Authorship and publication information is clear, along with citation information
- There are no advertisements or paid placements
- They're free for you through the library
And some of the downsides?
- It can be hard to find simple explanations or topic overviews
- Full-text isn’t available for everything, and you always need to log in
- They often have different interfaces and look more intimidating to search with
Your instructor may require you to avoid websites, so if you need some help with your research or would like to learn how to use databases effectively, use the Help tab to connect with a librarian.
