Blog Post #2: Databases vs. Search Engines

A few days ago, I was brought to the library to learn about databases and search engines, so that I would know how to execute researching on my Genius hour project correctly and efficiently. I will be sharing that information on today's blog post, but before I do, I first would like to say that I have decided what I will be doing for my Genius Hour project. I will be publishing my poetry, which means that for my project, I will be researching the steps I need to take in order to publish something. Now, I shall share the helpful information I learned, prior to data bases and search engines.

Wikipedia is a website that sometimes people use for research, yet for most projects I receive at school, my teachers always stress that when researching, DO NOT use Wikipedia at all. This is because Wikipedia can be edited by anyone which makes it an unreliable source. Some authors who edit articles can show bias in their writing which may make it hard to find the straight facts while researching. This is why Wikipedia should not be used for direct research, but recently I learned that it is appropriate to use Wikipedia to get or learn Key Terms to use in a more focused search. This makes Wikipedia appropriate and even great to use for shallow or wide research. Then, databases can be used to turn that shallow or wide knowledge into more focused research and information.

Databases and search engines differ in multiple ways. A data base is "a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer." as said from Dictionary.com. What that means is from a data base you would get fewer useless results than from a search engine. In addition, a database is timely vetted for reliability (looked in to) by people who don't get paid if they do a bad job (meaning to get a good salary they have to know what they are doing, and do a good job of it) which leaves unbiased material for both sides of any argument, and leaving every article useful and true with just the facts. The same cannot be said about a search engine, because it is not thoroughly vetted, meaning some information found during researching may not be true. Furthermore, the structure of a database itself is organized, curated (Information is organized and presentable for you to use) and will even cite articles for you. A search engine will give millions of results, leaving the researcher to waste time searching through it all to find the article he/she needs. Over all, a database is much more organized, reliable, and efficient to use while researching than a search engine.

Finally, to conclude my post, I will answer one final question that I had to really think about, since this question will give me a place to start looking for information prior to my research on my Genius Hour project. Three databases I think I may explore related to my research are, Access video, World Cat, and ProQuest Learning Literature. Access video may have a "how to" video on how to publish books or art, which is why I chose it. World Cat, gives me access to many books and resources which may have something that might tell me how to publish poetry. Finally, ProQuest Learning Literature obviously will have some information on literature, possibly including how to publish something. This is why I chose these three databases to start with. With that, I conclude this post.