Video: Using the A-Z of Databases page
What is a Database?
Academic databases are electronic collections of specialist information that include archived articles, research papers, the latest reports, relevant journals and more.
Why using databases?
Use databases to stay current, explore a subject or conduct a comprehensive search.
The advantage of databases relies in their advanced search engines that index many different types of information: books, journals, industry specific documents, reports, consumer magazines, video, music, etc ...
Databases often specialise in a specific type of content or a specific discipline.
For instance, Kanopy is a streaming service specialised in movies, while Lexis+ includes cases, books, guidance, legislation, journals and tools to support law studies and legal work.
Which databases are recommended for my subject?
The best place to find databases that are useful in your field of study is the library subject guide that relates to the discipline you are studying.
Each subject guide includes a page about key databases.
How do I access databases?
The A-Z Databases page lists all the databases that are well known or to which the Library subscribes. The links to paid databases are updated frequently so we recommend to start from the A-Z Databases page.
Most databases work with BCU's single sign-on, so you should be able to connect seamlessly.
If you are prompted for a login, check the Other usernames and passwords page as some databases require to create an account or use a specific username and passwords.
If you experience other difficulties accessing a database, check the Library Systems Dashboard for know issues or contact us so we can investigate.
How do I search databases?
The most important feature you need to learn about a database is its search engine.
Usually, databases search engines behave the same way as Library Search: you enter keywords separated by spaces or logical operators. You can learn about essential search techniques in the Searching Skills guide.
Databases help
When looking at lists of databases in subject guides or in the A-Z page or in the library subject guides, look for the help links icons like this one on the right.
Every page that lists databases has an icons key representing links to specific features, like this one below.
Databases icons key:
Help pages and user guide.
Open Access.
Podcast available.
App available.
Library dashboard post.
Using Databases: Key features video guides
In addition to the databases' own user manuals, your librarians produce videos demonstrating key search features with research examples from subjects related to the database.
Tutorials
Your subject-expert librarians provide group, or one to one tutorials on a topic of your choice, including using databases.
Suggest more video guides
If there is a video guide you would like us to produce about a particular research task or database, please post your suggestion using the feedback form below.