Electronic databases are organized collections of information, data or citations stored in electronic format and searchable by computer. Because finding journal and magazine articles via electronic databases is now the norm, they will be your first stop when seeking periodical literature. When you search in an electronic database, it quickly scans its contents for articles containing your search terms.

Although database appearance and topics may differ, electronic databases have things in common. Most databases can be searched by subject or keyword, you can limit searches (to full text only, by year, etc), and you can print, email or save your results to disk. Alverno’s electronic databases are accessed on the library’s homepage under Search for Journal Articles (Electronic Databases).

Periodical literature will make up the bulk of your research during your college career. Thousands of periodicals are published on a regular basis. Databases are amazing research tools! They save you from the impossible task of looking through individual issues of periodicals for articles on your topic. And they do it in record time! Electronic databases will give you the information you need to find the article:

	Citation Although the database may not contain the article itself, the citation will provide the information that you need to find the article.
	Abstract It may also include an abstract or summary of the article's content. Abstracts are useful in determining if an article is appropriate for your needs.
	Full text Sometimes an index will link to the complete text of the article.