Education: Library Resources by Field of Interest: Research Tools and Search Tips

What is a library database?

A library database is a searchable collection of different resources including articles from magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals, streaming videos, images, and more. 

Library databases are different than Google. The information contained in databases is not freely available via a google search.  You have access to the databases as an SCC student, so when you access a database from off campus you will be prompted to login with your MEID and password.  

Keywords

Databases deliver the best results when you search using specific keywords or short phrases rather than full sentences, questions, or strings of words. Thinking about your topic and different aspects of your topic can help you to identify relevant keywords. Good keywords are single words (usually nouns)  OR specific phrases (two or more words that must go together to make sense). When searching for an exact phrase, use quotations.  Here is an example of some keywords and phrases:

              pedagogy              "instructional media"               "eLearning design"               "learning styles"              curriculum    

To find articles about specific aspects of your topic, join two keywords or phrases together using the word AND.  For example:

• pedagogy AND "stem education"
• assessments AND "open educational resources"
• "active learning" AND "special education"

Recommended Databases

View a listing of library databases by subject.