First Year Seminar

A collection of library resources for students enrolled in First Year Seminar (FYS).

What Is a Library Database?

A library database is a digital collection of information, articles, and resources curated by experts.

Unlike a general search engine like Google, library databases focus on providing high-quality, credible sources.

These sources often include:

  • scholarly journal articles
  • academic publications
  • eBooks (electronic books)
  • news archives 
  • and other in-depth materials

Why Use a Database?

Here's why library databases are the best choice for in-depth research:

  • Credibility: Librarians carefully select databases that contain information from reputable sources, authored by experts in their fields.
  • Accuracy: Library databases are well-maintained and contain a high percentage of accurate information. The content goes through a selection process to ensure it meets quality standards.
  • Advanced Search Features: Library databases offer advanced search options that allow you to refine your research by publication date, author, topic, and other specific criteria. These filters help you find exactly what you need!
  • Full-Text Access: QU pays for subscriptions to these databases, so you can often access the full text of articles and resources directly, instead of having to pay for them or search for them on separate websites.
  • Focus: QU offers specialized databases for specific subjects, like history, science, and business. This allows you to find targeted information relevant to your research.

Reference Databases

Reference databases provide you with reliable background information like definitions, historical context, key theories, and important figures. This background information helps you grasp the basics of your topic before you move on to more in-depth research.

Here are some suggested reference databases:

Article Databases

For a full list of all the Databases the Library subscribes to, please access the A-Z Database list from the Library homepage.

You can sort the A-Z Database list by subject by selecting the "All Subjects" dropdown menu from the top of the page and selecting a subject from the list. Once you sort the list by subject, your "best bets" for databases within that subject will be listed at the top in a highlighted box.

Here's a list of the most popular databases for finding articles:

News Sources

While newspapers ARE NOT SCHOLARLY or peer-reviewed, they can be useful for reading about current events:

Contact a Librarian

communications icon

 
 

(opens Chat window)

 

e-mail icon  E-Mail Us
refdesk@
quinnipiac.edu

 

Phone icon Call us
203-582-8633