Do you need a journal article for coursework or research? UF provides access to hundreds of online databases with credible and peer-reviewed materials.
Learning objectives
After completing this short tutorial, you will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of research databases to scholarly work.
- Search databases using filters and Boolean operators.
- Examine and evaluate sources critically.
What is a database?
A database is an organized collection of scholarly journal articles and other academic resources. It can be subject-specific (e.g. computer science database or social science database) or broad in scope (multidisciplinary database or general science database). A database contains thousands of searchable items from many different sources, making it a more efficient search tool than standard search engines.
Why use a database to search for research articles?
Google Scholar provides a wide range of resources; however, these resources aren’t curated or verified for credibility, and search results are based on the user’s data. Additionally, some academic articles cannot be found using Google or Google Scholar, and many journals restrict access to articles to those with subscriptions. Library databases are less likely to expose you to predatory journals and are curated to some level to ensure sources are credible. Databases contain articles from many journals, and UF faculty, staff, and students have access to hundreds of databases through the libraries.
How do I search for items in a database?
1. Make sure you are connected to the campus wifi or the UF VPN if you are off-campus. The VPN will provide users with access to the databases.
2. Conduct your search
- Use the library catalog and discovery service (Primo) to find materials (books, journal articles, and more) in databases available through UF and the library catalog in one search. This is a useful tool for (1) a broad search and (2) when you are looking for a specific article.
- Access the list of databases available through the Marston Science
Search tips
(click the blinking icons in the image to see additional details)
Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content
How do you evaluate sources for credibility?
(click the blinking icons in the image to see additional details)
Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content
What if I need help searching databases?
Contact your science librarian: Help by Discipline