The document explains the concept of databases as organized collections of data that support information retrieval, including bibliographic and full-text databases. It details how databases are structured, the different types, access methods, and criteria for choosing the appropriate database for research purposes. Additionally, it discusses the advantages and challenges associated with using databases in both academic and business settings.

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DATABASES
Lecture 3

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What is a database?
• Organised collection of data or information that is stored in
records in electronic format (database records)
• They are organised to support the finding of information sources
• Focus on specific information source
• Others cover variety of information sources

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Database Records
• Can be representations
• Surrogates of information sources
• Full text of sources

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Bibliographic databases
• Contains only the bibliographic detail and brief
information on the intellectual content of
information source
• Medline
• PubMed

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Types of Databases
1. Bibliographic databases
2. Full-text databases

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Full-text databases
• Cover range of content

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Databases cont.
• When you search a database, the results display three
options:
1. Bibliographic description
2. Bibliographic description with a link to the full text of
the journal article or book
3. Full-text

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Databases cont.
• A record can include a brief descriptions of the
intellectual content of the information source
• Some databases refer to these descriptors as subject
headings, major descriptors or indexing terms

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Fields in a database records
• Title
• Author
• Journal title
• Volume
• Page numbers
• Links to full text

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Databases cont.…
• Some databases use codes to indicate the fields
• TI (title)
• AU (author)
• PY (publication year)
• LA (language)
• DT (document type)
• AB (abstract)
• DE (descriptors)
• ID (identifiers)

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Extras provided by databases
• Networking with other scholars
• Guidelines on writing and publishing
• Reference management tools
• Options for sharing publications with others and saving
search strategies

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How to access databases and
online journals
• Controlled access
• Free access
• Access through digital libraries, pre-prints, portals

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Controlled access databases
• Databases and online journals to which libraries of
academic institutions subscribe
• Accessed through the library of the institution’s
website
• University of Ghana E-Resources (library website)

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Free access on the web
• No need for passwords
• Free journals on the web
• Open-access repositories
• Some can be accessed independently
• Eg. PubMed, Medline free version

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Access through digital libraries, preprint
archives, subject gateways and portals
• Preprints include pre-publication drafts of journal articles,
technical communications, scholarly papers, other documents
• Eg. E-print network, ScienceDirect

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Subject gateways and Portals
• Collection of websites on a particular subject
• Contain web resources that has been evaluated by subject specialists
• They contain e-journals, books, government reports etc.
• They usually follow a principle of open access
• Eg: BIOME (http://biome.ac.uk/)
• Academic Info (http://www.academicinfo.com/)
• SciCentral (https://www.scicentral.com)

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Subject gateways and Portals
• Presents subject specific information
• Portals brings information from diverse sources
• Eg: Excite, MSN, AOL

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Choosing a database
• It is important to know the topic you are looking for and discipline it falls
under
• Eg. Medline – medical database
• CINHAL-nursing science
• ERIC- education
• ScienceDirect- multidisciplinary

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Criteria for choosing a database
• Topics covered
• Availability of full text
• Types of publications
covered
• Time span/period covered
• Fields available to refine the
search strategy
• Descriptions of intellectual
content (descriptors,
abstracts)
• Links to other relevant
publications

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Why databases
• Research
• Businesses
• Time and cost effective
than print publication
• Space saving
• Easy updating, modification
and duplication
• Easy dissemination and
distribution of information
• Multiuser accessibility
• Available anytime

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Demerits
• very few people can use and adopt it
• Requires relatively advance technology
• Necessary skill, training and experience require
• Non compatibility of software and hardware
• Rapid invention and development can cripple the use