Information databases (also known as research databases) are some of the unsung heroes of the Internet. Information overload is a real problem on the Web. It can be frustrating to have to sort through page after page of search results, and it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. But information databases make things easy by offering curated collections of high-value material. As a result, many professionals turn to them when they need to find authoritative content that’s relevant to their work. But what, exactly, is an information database, and why can it be such an asset for busy professionals?

What is an information database?

Information databases (also called research databases) are collections of digital data. The data in question can take many different forms, from photos of Elizabethan documents to the buzzy scoops from modern newspapers. 

Some are highly specialized and cater primarily to academics. These include:

• Gale’s State Papers Online: includes a wide array of official documents pertaining to the government of England in the early modern period.
• HeinOnline’s Legal Classics Library collects several centuries’ worth of legal texts relating to Anglo-American law.

Many other databases cater to broader audiences of professionals.

•  LexisNexis’s Nexis offers public records, legal data, and corporate and financial information across 200 different countries with an archive that spans 45+ years.
• Thomson Reuters’ WestLaw consolidates over 40,000 collections of case law, statutes, administrative codes, academic commentary, and newspaper articles.
• ProQuest offers a diverse collection of scholarly journals, theses and dissertations, government publications, newspapers, and blogs.  
• PubMed provides 37 million citations for biomedical literature from sources such as MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books along with some full-text content.

Newstex plays a crucial role in populating many of these information databases. As a content syndication company, Newstex partners with a diverse range of authoritative content creators and aggregates their work. This curated content is then provided to research databases, ensuring they have access to a wide array of high-quality, current information across various fields.

Why are research databases important?

One of the biggest frustrations of searching for information online is that it can be difficult to tell whether or not something is authoritative. The Internet has democratized the dissemination of information–today, a teenager posting gadget reviews from their bedroom can gain clout that rivals (or even exceeds) that of established tech publications. 

But not everyone who has a platform uses it responsibly. Whether through carelessness or malice, there are plenty of creators spreading mis- or disinformation. The rise of generative AI has made the situation even more complicated, as it’s increasingly easy to create something that looks authentic even though it’s utterly fake (for more information on how to be savvy consumer of digital media, check out “How to fact-check online information” or “How to spot AI-generated text and imagery”).

The key advantage to an information database is that the content has been vetted. Think of it like a playlist. If you ask your indie-music loving friend recommendations, the end result is more likely to have Gentle Brontosaurus or Architecture in Helsinki rather than Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber. 

Similarly, if you look for legal information on WestLaw or Nexis, you’re going to get quality material from reputable authors instead of nonsense cobbled together from Reddit threads and misinterpreted Wikipedia articles. Research databases have strict criteria for inclusion, and the decision to include something is made by knowledgeable editors with expertise in a particular field.  

Newstex contributes to this vetting process by carefully selecting content partners. Our team of experts carefully evaluate potential content creators for authoritativeness, relevance, and overall quality before syndicating their work to information databases.

How can research databases help you find information?

Many research databases have interfaces that are similar to those of the search engines we’re all familiar with, and finding information can be as easy as putting a word or phrase in a search box. But where information databases really shine is in their ability to offer additional search parameters such as searching for information that was published between certain dates or in certain publications. Legal databases like Westlaw can even allow you to search for opinions by specific judges or courts

Who uses research databases?

Professionals across many different disciplines rely on research databases to find the information they need to do their jobs. 

• A lawyer might use WestLaw to research relevant case law and academic commentary when trying a case.
• An academic might use State Papers Online to find sources for a journal article they’re writing. 
• An investor could use LexisNexis to research a company before they make an investment. 
• A journalist might turn to ProQuest to research a story.
• A doctor might consult PubMed to learn about the latest research in their field.
• A consultant might gather data to analyze business competitors.

How can content creators benefit from being included in research databases?

Depending on your particular niche, research databases can be a great way to expand your audience. 

• Stanley is a content entrepreneur who writes about fintech. Being in a research database allows him to reach new audiences while monetizing his work.
• Kai is an independent journalist who covers disability-related issues. Because research databases are used by politicians and businesspeople, Kai’s work can help them see how their policies might impact the disabled community.
• Robert is an avid amateur who blogs about sustainable energy. Inclusion in an information database allows him to stand out from the crowd. One day, a journalist sees his work and ends up interviewing him for a story.
  
  

As we discussed earlier, information databases are strictly curated in order to provide maximum value for their end users. As a result, it can be difficult for individual creators to get their foot in the door. This is where Newstex can help. We provide authoritative content to some of the world's leading research databases. They know we provide exceptional content for exceptional readers, so syndicating with us is a great way to enter world-renowned services such as ProQuest and WestLaw. 

With Newstex, creators like Stanley, Kai, and Robert can focus on producing great content while we help distribute their work to world-class research databases. Plus, our revenue-sharing model ensures creators earn royalties whenever their content is accessed through these platforms, making it a great way to earn passive income from content you’ve already produced. We can also bridge the gap between newer voices and the big-name information databases since most of these platforms rarely strike syndication deals with individual publishers.

Research databases are vital

Looking for reputable information online can be like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. With so much content out there, it can be difficult to find what you’re looking for amid a sea of chaos and misinformation. By providing carefully curated selections of content, information databases provide their subscribers with a valuable alternative to searching the open Web. Consequently, they’re used by a wide variety of professionals, including doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and analysts because they know these services give them the information they need and the tools to help them find it quickly. At the same time, being included in a research database is a great way for content creators to grow their audience.

Newstex plays a crucial role by connecting authoritative content creators to these databases. By partnering with Newstex, you can expand your audience reach, earn passive income, and join respected databases like ProQuest and WestLaw. Ready to amplify your impact? Click here to submit your publication for syndication.