The document provides guidance on searching library databases. It explains that general databases are a good starting point as they cover a broad scope of subjects. If necessary, subject-specific databases can be searched which focus on a particular field. Some database providers allow federated searching across multiple databases at once. The document recommends checking a library's website for a list of available subject-specific databases which may include reference sources, issues databases, and articles databases. It provides some examples of specific databases.

1. Searching Library
Databases
Choosing a Database
Searching Databases

2. Choosing a
Database
 Your library will have a general
database, that is, a database
with a broad scope and
information resources in all
subject areas.
 Academic Search Premier is an
example of a general database.
 Note: Academic Search
Premier is an older version of
and has been replaced by
Academic Search Complete
 It may be highlighted or
featured on your library’s web
page.
http://libguides.riohondo.edu/librarydatabases

3. General Databases [p. 90]
 Rio Hondo
Databases
 These are a good place
to start your research.
 You can try out your
search statement, find
some relevant articles
that will help you
identify other, better
keywords and subject
terms, narrow the
focus of your research,
and perhaps even find
enough good
information for your
research
http://libguides.riohondo.edu/librarydatabases

4. Subject Specific Databases [p. 90]
 If you do not find enough information in a general database, then you will
have to try a subject-specific database.

5.  These are databases that focus on a specific field of knowledge or subject
discipline. There are databases for every subject area, biology, literature,
psychology, business, and everything else.

6. Federated Searching (searching multiple
databases) p. 90
 Some vendors offer a form of federated searching.
 Federated Searching is: searching several databases at once.
 You can pick and choose which database to search or
search all of the databases that your library license from
that one vendor.
 This can be a substantial number and provide you an opportunity to search across
many disciplines.
 The option will be under a label like „Databases” or “Choose Databases”

7. Choose Databases in Ebsco
 Menu in Ebsco, to Choose Databases. Click Select/Deselect,
then choose specific subject databases

8. Library Databases Webpage
 Your library’s web page has a list of these resources and may have organized
that list

9. Subject Specific Databases
 Our databases include some of the following areas:
 Reference Databases: includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other
reference sources such as almanacs
 Gale Virtual Reference Library
 Issues Databases: these databases focus on pro/con issues, and
present their sources in this format.
 SIRS
 Gale Opposing Viewpoints
 Articles Databases: these databases focus on finding newspaper,
magainze, and scholarly journal articles
 Ebsco and ProQuest

10. Reference Databases
 includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference sources
such as almanacs
 Gale Virtual Reference Library
https://go.gale.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=cclc_rio

11. Issues Databases
 these databases focus on pro/con issues, and present their sources
in this format.
 SIRS
 Gale Opposing Viewpoints

12. Articles Databases
 these databases focus on newspaper, magazine and scholarly
journals
 Ebsco and ProQuest

13. Field Searching
 Field search example from text, and from our own database Business Source
Complete