Selecting the best bibliographic database or print index for your information need is an important step in any search for information. Each electronic database and print index is unique in its subject coverage and scope, although there may be some overlap between them. Most databases will give the years they cover on the opening screen.
Some indexes cover only materials published in the U.S., while other indexes are international.
Materials from non-English speaking countries are likely to be written in a foreign language. Most databases identify the language in which the article is written, and allow for searches designating specific languages. Databases that contain some full-text articles include General Reference Center and Expanded Academic ASAP . If you use a database that indexes materials not held by LLRC, you may need to search the catalogs of nearby libraries to see if you can find the material at one of them. To search a database effectively, you should know how it is organized.