What are databases?
Databases are searchable collections of articles and other resources like ebooks, reports and standards. They are useful for doing a thorough search of the literature on a subject as they often support more complex search queries than the Library Search.
The databases most used in social services are listed on this page.
Accessing library resources
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Databases for Social Care
Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts
Health, social services, psychology, sociology and education literature aimed at the caring professions.
Estates & Facilities, Environmental Health, Food Safety, Fire Safety, Trading Standards and wellbeing in the workplace. Access to British Standards.
Emerald insight : discover journals & case studies.
Management, human resources, information management, marketing, quality, training and education, social care.
MindTools (previously Good Practice)
Contains learning and development support tools for managers, also personal skills development information.
Public health literature covering disciplines including social sciences, business and biological sciences.
Evidence and research related to health, social and family policy, social care and related subjects.
Current research focused on social work, human services and related areas, including social welfare, social policy and community development.
International literature of sociology, social work, and related disciplines in the social and behavioural sciences.
International literature in sociology and social services, along with related fields.
Our subscription databases
Access databases across a range of subjects including social care, nursing, medicine and management.
View all databasesBMJ Best Practice
BMJ Best Practice is an evidence based clinical decision support tool. It offers summarised, up to date guidance on a range of clinical conditions.
Help with using databases
For information, advice and training on a particular database visit the help pages on that supplier's site. There is more general help from Help and Training
This literature searching elearning module helps the social care workforce in Scotland build confidence to search published literature for articles and evidence relevant to their work, study and research.
How to search the literature effectively (social services)
You will need a Turas Learn account to access the eLearning modules.
Organising search results
Search results from databases can be saved and organised by creating a personal account within that database platform. You can also save search strategies and set up alerts when new information on a topic is published. Reference management software is available to manage references from your search results and NHS Scotland provides access to RefWorks.
Which resource is right for you?
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Learn about how to find high quality information quickly, develop your search and appraisal skills and access training support.
Information skills