Subject specific databases, or vortals (vertical portals), are databases that provide highly detailed research information on a particular topic. They are the smallest, most focused search tools on the Internet and, in recent years, they've been on the rise. Currently, more of the so-called "mainstream" search engines, subject directories, and…

Over 20 data bases available to social science educators are listed and described in this fact sheet. The data bases provide a wide variety of topics including American and world history, statistics, economics, philosophy, and social and political science. Educationally oriented data bases provide information on such topics as educational media,…