Databases are organized, searchable collections of information. They can cover multiple disciplines, or just one subject. They offer access to reliable, authoritative information. They are free to members of the Temple University community (e.g. students, faculty, and staff), but not free to all online.
Tools for Finding Databases
All Databases A-Z
Select a database by name, subject, or type from the master A-Z list.
Research Guides
Research guides are quick starting points for many discipline subjects and courses. They list the most relevant databases for that subject/course, often with advice or tips.
Still Not Sure Where to Start?
These databases cover many disciplines and are often best bets:
Additional Tips
The key to finding the right database is knowing what's in it. Here are some questions to ask about any database before you use it.
What Subject Area(s) Does It Cover?
Pay attention to what subject areas are covered to ensure that you are using the correct database for your topic. For example, searching for industry information in a literature database won't get you very far.
What Date Range Does It Cover?
Most databases only cover materials published in the last few decades; there's usually a specific cutoff date. If you're looking for articles or research from before that date, you'll need to use a different database.
In some databases, you also need to ask "How recent does it get?" Databases containing historical materials usually don't go up to the present. And some databases simply exclude the most recent year or two of all journal articles.
What Types of Material Does It Cover?
Most databases list or contain scholarly journal articles, but many cover other types of content including:
- magazine or newspaper articles
- books
- book chapters
- dissertations
- conference papers
- statistical data
- images, audio, or video
For more information on using the Library Search, please see our Library Search Tutorial.
For more information on databases, please see our Database Basics tutorial.
Adapted from UCLA Library's Choosing & Using Library Databases
