Specialized Databases > 1: What Are Specialized Databases?

Did you know that there is a virtual treasure trove of information that is not visible through the traditional search engines? Thousands of searchable databases, archives and other information sources deliver highly-targeted information for a much improved searching experience.

--The Invisible Web Catalog on the Lycos Network

1A: Distinct and Defined

A database is a collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval. Use a database to get the exact type of information you need quickly. Databases are created to manage distinct sets or types of information. By searching a specialized database, you can expect a certain kind of result.

• The smallest, most focused search tools on the Web.

  Information that is stored within a specialized database is usually limited to a specific topic (for example: Baseball), but provided in-depth.

• Different from Web indexes (search engines).

  Indexes (like Google) serve the purpose of finding information on virtually any topic. The information (or data) is located or stored on many different Web sites. The Web index provides pointers or links to those sites.

Although a Web index can help you locate a specialized database on a topic of interest, generally you cannot use it to find information stored within the database. You must locate and search these databases directly. Some strategies for locating useful databases are provided later in this tutorial.

1B: Database Structure: Records and Fields

Databases consist of records of information. Each record in a database is further divided into specific fields. These records are often grouped into larger files within the database, like drawers within a filing cabinet.

For example, a record in a bibliographic database, such as a library catalog, might contain the following fields:

• Author
• Title
• Publisher
• Place of Publication
• Date
• Pages

In a product database, a record might contain the following fields:

• Product Name
• Product Code number
• Color
• Price
• Amount in Stock

Why is this important? Because database records contain fields, you can target your search more effectively. Searchable databases allow you to specify which field you wish to look for your terms or keywords in. In the illustration below, a search for "college binge drinking" in the title field found a useful article on this topic.

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