eResources for Online Research @Wolford Learning Commons
Click below to see a listing of all of the research resources that are available for students, parents and teachers through Wolford’s Learning Commons:
Wolford’s Suggested Online Resources to be used for Research
What is a Research Database:
A Research Database contains reliable, accurate and authoritative information gathered together in one place, and provides convenient and quick access to the information.
Question: What’s the difference between using a research database and doing a search on Google?
Answer: The enormous volume and uneven quality of information on the Internet can make finding exactly what you need a very frustrating experience. Research databases provide information that has been reviewed and edited by experts and comes from reliable, authoritative and up-to-date published sources.
Anyone can publish information, ideas and opinions on the Internet regardless of expertise. Results from a Google search, therefore, may include incorrect information from unreliable sources. In addition, Google results are ranked by commercial value (companies pay to have their links placed at the top of the results) and popularity (by how many other pages link to a particular page).
Search options in Research Databases include Keyword, Subject, Author, Magazine Title, Date, etc. Results are organized, can be refined and may also include suggested related subjects or help in narrowing your topic.
Citation information which can be used to create a bibliography is provided in many databases.
Research databases count as a print resource because they are digital versions of previously published content and should be acceptable as a resource for student assignments.
| In Research Databases you will find: | |
| * | Articles from magazines |
| * | Articles from local, national and international newspapers |
| * | Articles from reference books such as encyclopedias |
| * | Photographs, both current and historical |
| * | Television and radio broadcasts and transcripts |
| * | Images and videos |
| * | Maps and charts |