USMALibAnswers

A database is fundamentally different from the internet or Google in several important ways:

Structure and Organization

• A database is a highly structured collection of information organized according to specific rules and relationships, designed for efficient retrieval of information.
• The internet is a vast, unstructured network of interconnected computers and servers hosting various types of content without consistent organization.
• Google is a search engine that indexes and helps you navigate the internet but doesn't own or organize the underlying content.

Content Quality and Reliability

• Many academic databases contain carefully selected resources (peer-reviewed articles, scholarly books, etc.) that have undergone rigorous evaluation.
• The internet contains everything from scholarly articles to personal opinions, advertisements, and misinformation with no universal quality control.
• Google returns results based on algorithms, not necessarily based on accuracy or if they are scholarly.

Access and Restrictions

• Databases typically require subscriptions (which your college pays for) and contain copyrighted materials not freely available elsewhere.
• The internet is largely accessible to anyone with a connection, though some content may be behind paywalls.
• Google is free to use but only indexes publicly accessible content.

Search Capabilities

• Databases offer specialized search tools designed for academic research (filters, citation tools, etc.).
• Google offers broad search capabilities optimized for general use but lacks academic search features.

Content Stability

• Database content is relatively stable and preserved for long-term access.
• Internet content can change, move, or disappear without notice.

For college research, databases provide focused access to reliable scholarly sources that will strengthen your academic work, while Google and the broader internet are better for general information and current events.