Before you can choose the right database, you need to have a general idea of what subject you'll be researching. Then, browse your library's site for a database that covers your desired topic. Most likely, you'll have several promising databases from which to select. Don't be discouraged, and don't rely on just one - try them all out! Although some of their coverage may overlap, you'll probably be able to find unique resources in each of them.

While students veer towards databases, especially those that provide instant access to full-text articles, this is a grave mistake. As expansive as they may be, academic databases don't usually include books, dissertations, or multimedia materials. Their coverage generally only dates back to the 1970s, and they don't provide exhaustive coverage of most disciplines. Even worse, the full-text articles sometimes contain mistakes, including typographical errors and omissions of sections of the article - or even the entire article itself! Ideally, you should supplement your use of full-text databases with databases that only provide citations or abstracts. Then, you can use your library's online catalog to locate hard copies of the materials. If the sources you're interested in aren't available at your library, it's very possible that you're librarian will be able to help you track them down.

The next time you need to do some research, make the first stop your library as opposed to your laptop! Far from being supplanted by the Digital Age, libraries have integrated new technologies into their services, making them more useful than ever.