Databases vs. Search Engines vs. AI Tools: What's the difference?
Understanding the difference between AI chatbots, search engines, and library databases is essential for effective research. AI chatbots (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini) use machine learning to generate responses, summarize texts, and assist with brainstorming or refining research questions. They’re great for quick explanations or exploring unfamiliar topics but may not always provide verified or citable sources. Search engines (such as Google or DuckDuckGo) scan the internet to retrieve a wide range of content, from news articles to blog posts and scholarly papers. While they offer breadth, the quality and credibility of results can vary. In contrast, library databases (like JSTOR or PubMed) are curated collections of scholarly materials selected by experts. These databases provide access to peer-reviewed articles, books, and other academic resources that are reliable and often required for college-level research.
Some resources may contain a combination of each of these. For example, many search engine searches now include an AI Overview that summarizes the top results. Many academic databases have also begun to incorporate AI assistants to help summarize academic articles or assist with other basic research tasks. This makes it all the more important to understand the differences between these types of tools, so you can know how to best utilize each one. Knowing which tool to use and when is crucial for conducting well-rounded research. Take a look at the table below to see how these tools compare to one another.
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