A database is a collection of information that is organized for easy of access and management.  Many databases are focused in a particular topic, discipline, or even format, to help narrow the range of information being searched.  Databases can be used to find scholarly and non-scholarly information, articles, reports, and reviews, and even images.  Some databases, such as Academic Search Ultimate, are interdisciplinary - they contain information on a variety of topics in different fields.  Others, such as ERIC, are more specialized.  ERIC only provides information related to the education field.  Others might be more format based - ARTstor provides access to digital images in the arts, architecture, humanities, and sciences, and CiteSeer X provides resources such as algorithms, data, metadata, services, techniques, and software.

The Sheridan Libraries provides hundreds of databases for students to find and access the information they need.  Choosing the right database can be frustrating, but you can use the research guides to help you choose the best resources.  These guides can help point you in the right direction, but you can always ask a librarian for help choosing the right ones.

Already know the name of the database you need to search?  Find it in our A-Z list of databases.

Not sure where to find a database on a particular topic?  Take a look at our list of research guides for tips on where to start.