How to Use an Electronic Research Database?
Click below for the full list of database collections and then link to the K-12 Electronic Resources on the left of that page. Try these collections first for information to complete a school assignment. Click on the individual collection to access its search page. Avoid doing a Power Search (the search box at the top of the screen. In most cases, it is easier to search within an individual collection.
The Electronic Research Databases-Complete List link is available to you both in school and at home. The databases are funded jointly by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Library System and provide access to schools that employ a licensed school librarian. Contact Mrs. O’Neill in the WHS Library for help using the Electronic Research Databases.
Electronic Research Databases-Complete List
Why Use an Electronic Research Database?
An online electronic research database connects you to a collection of articles from books, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines etc. If you use a “full text” database, you can read the entire article right on your computer screen or email it or print it to read later. The good thing is…the article comes from a published source and provides a citation. That means someone else has done the evaluation for you. When you choose to use a search engine to find websites, you must evaluate the website before deciding to use it and figure out how to cite it. That’s more work for you.