Selecting the best or most appropriate finding aid for identifying sources depends almost entirely on the context of your research assignment. There is no single database or web search interface that will work for every research context; instead, you'll need to match your specific research needs to a variety of options.
Library catalog searches (such as Primo) can be the better choice when you are seeking in-depth, book-length treatments of a topic.
Multidisciplinary databases (such as JSTOR or Academic Search Premier) cover a wide variety of subject areas and may include a mix of popular and scholarly sources. They can be the most appropriate choice when you just want to get a sense of what's available on a topic and when it isn't so important that you pay attention to disciplinary lenses.
Subject databases (such as Sociological Abstracts or PubMed) cover a specific discipline and provide the widest range of access to scholarly sources. They are used for in-depth research. Which subject databases you search will be determined by who may be writing about your topic. Recommended subject databases for each discipline can be found on the "articles" page in each library subject guide.
Specialized full-text databases focus on providing digital access to particular types of sources, like newspapers, archives, or statistics. Examples include Archives of Sexuality and Gender, the New York Times Historical, and Social Explorer.
These databases index scholarly work in specific academic disciplines. Depending on your topic and approach, you may wish to search other databases -- ask a librarian for recommendations!
