Library Database vs. Website Search Engine

[Farjana Diba]

"Why can’t I just use the web to find information?”


We all are provably familiar with popular web search engines such as Google.com, Yahoo.com or Ask.com. However, these are not a great tool finding academic information, so you will be missing out on thousands of books and journals available to you online if you use web search engines.

But, you can use the web to go to the library website, giving you access to the Library catalogue, e-books and e journal as well as database that will help you to find information.


Why use a database instead of web?

There are advantages to using library research databases compared to the web. Using the databases provided by the Library will help you find reliable information from trusted sources.
The information tends to be: 
•   Stable : if you found it once you can find it again.
•   Reliable : most information in databases is based on a print resource and has gone through a review process.  Anyone can publish to the web.
•   Precise : you can refine your search to get close to the material you need.  Compare searching 50 articles relevant to your search to 50 million from the Web.

Library databases		Websites
•   Library databases get their information from professionals or experts in the field.		•   Websites can be written by anyone regardless of expertise.
•   Library databases contain published works where facts are checked.		•   Website content is not necessarily checked by an expert.
•   Library databases are easy to cite in a bibliography and may create the citation for you.		•   Websites often don't provide the information necessary to create a complete citation.
•   Library databases can help you narrow your topic or suggest related subjects.		•   Websites often aren't organized to support student research needs.
•   Library databases are updated frequently and include the date of publication.		•   Websites may not indicate when a page is updated.

In addition to the print collection, the DIU Library also makes available many electronic resources that provide easy access to many scholarly, technical, and professional journals, spanning all disciplines.

A complete list of databases is available on the DIU library Web site at:

http://library.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/?q=en/content/z-database

[Md. Monirul islam]

You are right madam. Your comparative analysis between library database & web search engine proved the truth. Thanks for your nice sharing...