What is a database?
A database is a collection of information made available in a digital format (online). Using an electronic, online database you will be able to gather articles from journals without having to use printed journals. Remember, as ELS students you must be in the library using a Guest computer to access Academic Search Complete. If you are both an ELS and a Case student enrolled in the University, you can log in using CWRU single sign-on.
Academic Search Complete
Academic Search Complete is a database you will find useful for getting journal articles for using in your research papers on almost any subject.
How do I decide which words to use when I search in a database?
When you know what topic you need information on, you can start looking for articles in Academic Search Complete. Remember that short terms will give you the best results. For example, if you want to find articles on the economic aspects of global warming, you could search for the terms global warming and economic aspects (of global warming) as a quick way to tell the database what you are looking for. It is best that you do not search in a database like you would in Google even though you are searching online. Pick just a few words. You could also narrow your search by adding words, for example: searching for global warming and economic aspects and farming.
