SKILLBUILDERHANDBOOKR33
4.4 Creating and Using a Database
A DATABASEis a collection of data, or information, that is organized so that you can
find and retrieve information on a specific topic quickly and easily. Once a computer-
ized database is set up, you can search it to find specific information without going
through the entire database. The database will provide a list of all information in the
database related to your topic. Learning how to use a database will help you learn how
to create one.Understanding the Skill
STRATEGY: CREATE THE DATABASE. First, identify the topic of the database. Both
words in this title, “Five Empires,” are important. These words were used to begin the
research for this database.STRATEGY: USE THE DATABASE.Use the database to help you find information
quickly. For example, in this database you could search for “empires with populations
of more than 10 million” and compile a list including the Persian, Roman, Byzantine,
and Mongol empires.Applying the Skill
CREATE A DATABASEfor World War II that shows the dates and locations of important
battles, estimated casualty figures, and the significance of the outcome for each battle.
Use information presented in Chapter 32 to find the data. Follow a chart format simi-
lar to the one above for your database. Then use the database to list the three battles
that resulted in the highest number of casualties.Section 4:Creating Presentations
Determine the order of
presentation of information.
For example, will you list items
from largest to smallest? from
oldest to newest? The five
empires are listed in order
of date, from earliest empire
to latest.Identify the entries included
under each heading. Here,
fiveempires from the text were
chosen as topics for research.Ask yourself what kind of
data to include. For example,
what geographic patterns and
distributions will be shown? Your
choice of data will provide the
column headings. The key words
Dates, Greatest Territory,and
Greatest Populationwere chosen
to focus the research.Add labels or footnotes as
necessary to clarify the nature
of the data presented. Are the
figures shown in thousands? hundred
of thousands? millions? Users of the
database need to know what the
figures represent.4
3
2
1
* Estimated in millions of square miles
** Estimated in millions of peopleDatesFive Empires
Greatest
Territory*Greatest
Population**PersianRomanByzantineMongolAztec