LibKey Nomad: For Full-Text
Install LibKey Nomad on your laptop to make it easier to find out if we have access to a full article while you're browsing the web.
This guide has more information, and steps to install it: LibKey Nomad guide.
Guide to Using Databases and Search Tools
The purpose of these pages is to provide more information about specific databases and tools you may use to find research for your assignments. Each page will discuss a particular database or tool, or related set of tools.
For a list of databases that are either open access or provided by Ball State University Libraries, see the A-Z Databases page.
Glossary
Database
A database is a collection of items that are indexed with metadata in order to be systematically searched and retrieved.
An example of a database is CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
Platform/Interface
A platform is the website or tool that hosts the interface with which you search a database.
An example of a platform is EBSCOhost.
Discovery Tool
We refer to OneSearch as the Ball State University Libraries' "Discovery Tool." It is not technically a database, but functions similarly. It also contains records of physical items that belong to Ball State.
Search Engine
Searches the internet rather than a collection of indexed materials. Generally cannot access content behind a paywall, and often causes problems with reproducibility of searches.