Locating Article Databases

This tutorial will explain how you can locate a useful article database from the hundreds of databases the UW-Madison Libraries license/subscribe to by searching for a database name or by subject/topic. 

Searching for a Database by Name

Use this method if you know the exact name of the database you want to search.

1. Start at the UW-Madison Libraries homepage, select the word “Catalog” above the large search box. This will open a drop-down menu.
2. Select “Databases” from the drop-down menu.
3. Type the name of an article database into the search box and select the “Submit” button.
4. From the list of results, select “Go to this Database” to open the database, or click the name of the article database. You will be taken to a new page describing the database content.
5. Select “Go to this Database” in the right column of the new page and the database will open.

Searching for a Database by Topic

Use this method if you know the subject matter you want to search for but don’t know an exact database name.

1. Start at the UW-Madison Libraries homepage, select the “Catalog” above the large search box. This will open a drop-down menu.
2. Select “Databases” from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the “Browse by Subject/Type” link under the search bar.
4. Select an area that fits your research area. Each subject page contains a list of many article databases.
   1. These are divided into Core Databases, which contain information closely related to the subject area, and Also Helpful Databases, which are sometimes very specific and sometimes more peripherally related to the subject.
5. From the list of results, select “Go to this Database” to open the database, or click the name of the article database. You will be taken to a new page describing the database content.
6. Select “Go to this Database” in the right column of the new page and the database will open.