Difference Between Internet Search Engines and Databases

Whenever there is a question to be answered most people would log onto

the internet and do a search on their favorite search engine like Google or Yahoo.

The results are can be correct or disappointing depending on what the user is

searching for. Search engines and databases produce different types of results.

After comparing the two I have discovered the following differences from the

search results.

EBSCO's Academic Search Premier Database search results were very

specific when search for “privacy and security on the Internet.” I was able to

verify that most of the articles were written by professors and the information

provided appeared to be valid compared to a Google search. An example of a

database I use is Navy Personnel Command (NPC); it is an excellent tool when

looking up specific Navy instructions or regulations because it is constantly

updated. Since NPC is an official website for the Navy I know that all information

is monitored by a higher authority. By using this database I know the information

gathered is accurate and valid because each document has a reference number

when it is updated.

Google is my choice for a quick search depending on what I am looking

for. Results from this type of search can either be a hit or miss. Results are

based on popularity and how often the website is visited by other users. A

search for “privacy and security on the Internet” produced a variety of information.

Some examples were from Wikipedia, Forbes, Microsoft and Anti-virus software

companies. Since the search results varied it was difficult to filter an accurate

and valid source compared to EBSCO’s Database.

Whether a user utilizes a search engine or database how the information

is interpreted is all up to the user. For a quick search with accuracy and validity

is of no importance then Google or any other search engine should satisfy the

need.