Databases are:

• Web-based research tools, to which the library subscribes for Ramapo students and faculty. Over 70+ different databases at the George T. Potter Library, some  are interdisciplinary, covering a wide variety of subjects and some are for discipline specific, such as business, communications, computers, history, social work and more.

• Provide access to this information remotely and on campus?
• They have sophisticated search features that enable you to find more relevant articles efficiently.
• The quality of information is more reliable and appropriate for academic use.
• There are no pop-ups flashing on the screen to distract you.

The Internet:

• Is the international network of computer networks (the whole thing). Includes email, FTP(Transfer Protocol, Telnet, and Usenet)

• Anyone can access.

• Provides access to information quickly.

• Not all information is available, is free or reliable.

• Not a research tool like databases the library provides for students and faculty.

• Anyone can publish on the web.

• There are no complete lists of web sites.

• There are no official organizers, catalogers, or evaluators.

• Sites change constantly; new sites are constantly created; and sites often disappear.

• There are no standards for web search tools.
  

                                     Prepared by Shirley Knight, Reference Librarian, Library Liaison, FYS

                                                                                          George T. Potter Library

                                                                                          revised, March 2007