Overview of database types
The La Trobe University Library subscribes to a large range of index, full-text and rich media databases across all discipline areas.
- Index databases: Index databases are a catalogue of information and citations by author, title, publisher, date, and publication title. They may or may not also provide an abstract that summarises the item and links to the full-text version. Examples of index databases include Scopus, Web of Science, and Proquest.
- Full-text databases: Fulltext databases are an index database with the fulltext of an article either in HTML or as a PDF file. Typically they are smaller and more specialised publisher collections.
- Rich media databases: Rich media databases are index databases with images, sound and video.
- Research methodologies: Sage Research Methods Online contains book, journal and reference content to help researchers design research projects, understand methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Focusing on methodology, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and other disciplines.
Which database is best?
The purpose, scope and stage of your research may be a factor in determining the best choice of database/s for your search, and your use of the database.
No database includes everything. Often the best databases to use are the ones specific to your subject area and, depending upon the purpose of your database search, it is often important to use more than one database in order to capture as much relevant information as possible.
Similarly, if your research focuses on multiple subject areas or disciplines, using a range of databases or database/s with a broad discipline scope may be the most appropriate choice.
If you are wishing to find just a few key articles in your research area with the purpose of building your initial understanding of a topic, starting with a Google Scholar search or conducting a basic search within a subscription database may be appropriate.
If you are conducting a narrative, scoping or systematic review a comprehensive search across more than one – and up to five databases (depending upon discipline) will likely be appropriate.