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Database Help: General tips

Find answers to your questions on the library's online resources, including databases.

 This page has is general information to help you search for information in a variety of databases and online resources.

Scholarly Journal Articles

Look for the graduation hat on the A-Z list to find databases with scholarly academic peer-reviewed journals.

For databases with a variety of periodicals you will see an option to limit your search results to only journals. The option may be labeled academic journals, scholarly journals, or peer-reviewed journals. 

Video: What are Databases and Why You Need Them

Our library research guides recommend databases, but what are databases? This 2 ½ minute video explains databases and will help you better understand the benefits of using a database. The video is close-captioned and was created in 2011 by Yavapai College.

Video: Choosing and Using Keywords

Having trouble finding exactly what you want? Your search terms or keywords may be the reason.  Watch this 2 minute 41 second video to improve your search results. Video is closed-captioned and was created 2015 by Pfau Library, Cal State San Bernandino.

Video: Tips & Tricks: Phrase Searching

Tired of too many useless search results?  Take 70 seconds to watch Tips & Tricks: Phrase Searching and improve your search for relevant information in databases and websites.

  On the Vol State Need Help page at the end of this video the information on SMS / Text  is outdated. Check our Ask a Librarian web page for ways we can assist you with your research.