Whether you are searching the library database, international databases or the internet, you always have to evaluate your search results. Examples of evaluation criteria:
Are the results relevant enough, do they match your information need? The databases usually categorize the search results according to relevance, but you have to evaluate the usefulness of the results by examining headings, abstracts, year of publication, and subject terms.
Are the results reliable, objective, up-to-date, precise or academic?
Who has produced the information, a well-known organization or expert? Can you check the information from some other source? See more at Evaluating online sources.
Can you download the text online or get it at the library? In a full text database, the articles are available for download online. Note, however, that the license your university has purchased might cover only part of the articles in the database. You can always ask for help at the library.
