2.4.2 Databases

A database is a searchable collection of records referring to published information. To be precise, Library One Search, subject specific databases, library catalogues and the Internet are all databases, but the library uses the term to refer to specific database products. Some databases are free of charge and others are subscribed to, on your behalf, by ECU Library.

The content of databases varies.

The databases we will focus on are those used to identify individual journal articles.

Databases which contain and refer to journal articles

At the very least a database will provide basic bibliographic information including:

• the author (of article)
• the title (of article)
• the title of journal (source)
• the volume, issue and/or publication year
• the page numbering.

This is enough information for you to locate a copy of the journal article.

ECU databases also have a Findit@ECU link to check and link to full text.

In addition to these bibliographic details, some databases will provide:

• subject headings
• an abstract or summary
• fulltext.

Fulltext means that you will be able to view the entire article in that database. Fulltext access can come in various formats.

The two main formats are HTML and PDF.