Database vs. Web Site

Library databases

Websites

• Library databases contain information
  from reviewed published works.
  
  Examples: Journals, newspaper articles,
  encyclopedias and other reference books.

• Websites you can't be certain who published or reviewed the content.

• Library databases are searchable.
  
  By Keywords, Subject, Author, Magazine Title, Date, etc.

•  Websites are only searchable by the Search engines or if the website has it's own search engine.

• Library databases provide citation information..
  
  Author, if available
  Title of Article
  Publication (Title of Magazine, Newspaper, or Reference Book)
  Publisher
  Date of Publication

• Websites rarely state where their information came from to cite the webpage.

• Library databases often contain full-text articles.
  
  You can print or email an entire article.

• Websites may if they are an Online Journal or News source. Yet, it may offer this service for a limited time then charge access.

• There are different kinds of library databases
  
  For specific topics.
  Examples: Business & Company Resource Center
  
  For general topics
  Examples: Research Library 

• Websites are different subjects but you will have to sort out the good from the not so good or totally irrelevant websites from your search engine.

• Library databases are paid through your tuition.

• Websites you get what you paid for...
  second hand information

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.