Why Use an Online Database?

An online database is often a good place to begin research for information.

It will give you information quickly from a variety of sources - literally thousands of sources. The DCCCD has a wide variety of databases - encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, and reference books.

You might use a variety of databases for a particular topic.  You might start by:

• locating basic information (using an online encyclopedia)
• locating recent information (using online magazines and newspaper databases)
• locating focused information (using online topical databases, such as Computer Source)

Let's take a look at periodical databases...