Find a Database
What "Find a Database" Searches
"Find a Database" searches for databases that Wake Forest University subscribes to. You can browse the list of databases by title or by subject. You can also search for keywords in a database’s title or description.
What "Find a Database" Does NOT Search
"Find a Database" does not search:
- for specific topics such as abortion, gun control, or acid rain
- the Internet
- any content within a database.
Browse the Databases by Subject
Click on the phrase "Arts & Humanities", for example, to see all databases with that broad subject.
Click on the icon next to "Arts & Humanities", for example, to see a list of more specific subject areas.
Browse the Databases Alphabetically
To see an alphabetical list of databases, click on the appropriate starting letter near the top of the screen.
Search For a Database Using Keywords
Enter a keyword into the search box and click on "Search" (or hit the Enter key). Type in a general subject such as science, not a specific topic like global warming.
If you choose "Database Title", your search will be limited to keywords in a database’s title. If you choose "Database Description", your search will expand to include keywords in
- a database’s title
- a description of the database
- subject headings assigned to each database
See the results of
- a Database Title search for "science"
- a Database Description search for "science"
Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT)
Do not use Boolean operators such as "and" "or" and "not" in your search. If you type in more than one word, you will only retrieve entries that contain that exact phrase.
Detail Screens
Within a list of databases, you can click on the "Detailed Information Button" to see more details about each database. Each detail screen includes
- Database title
- Description (scope, content, etc.)
- Coverage dates
- Subject headings
See the detail screen for WorldCat.
Truncation/Wildcards
Every search in "Find a Database" is automatically truncated. Therefore histor retrieves both "history" and "historical". Do not use symbols such as * or ? for truncation.
Capitalization
"Find a Database" is not case sensitive. Therefore english, English, and EnGliSH will all return the same results.
Need More Help?
Contact a reference librarian. We can help you:
- find a database
- search a database
- find the full text (print or electronic) of the articles you need
- and so much more!
Find us at the reference desk in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library (4th floor, Wilson wing). Call us at 758-5475 or email us.