Online Databases

Below is a list of subscribed and open access databases, which are available to NICS staff.  Please note that copyright restrictions apply to the vast majority of online information, so be aware of your responsibilities in this area.  For information on these restrictions, check out the NICS eLibrary's Copyright page.

If you are unable to find the full text of a journal article on any of the databases, contact us with the details and we will endeavour to supply it as quickly as possible from another source. Also please get in touch if you would like training on using our resources.

A (1) | B (1) | C (3) | E (4) | F (1) | I (1) | K (1) | L (2) | M (1) | N (3) | O (1) | P (1) | S (2) | T (1) | V (1)

Acronym Finder

A searchable database of over 5 million acronyms, abbreviations and their meanings.
Availability: Open access

British Standards Online

Staff in DFI and DOF have access to the following 10 modules through BSOL: GBM04 Management, Law, Quality; GBM05 Sciences & Health Care; GBM07 Occupational & Personal Safety; GBM08 Fire, Accident & Crime Protection; GBM19 Electrical Accessories, Switchgear & Controlgear; GBM48 Construction in General; GBM49 Building Materials & Components; GBM50 Building Installations & Finishing; GBM51 Civil Engineering; GBM81 Wiring Regulations Collection.

We can also supply individual British Standards by request to all NICS staff.

Please contact legal.library@finance-ni.gov.uk for more information on how to access British Standards.

CAB Abstracts Archive

CAB Abstracts Archive is comprised of 17 printed abstract journals produced between 1910 and 1972 and includes over 1,860,000 records on agricultural science, veterinary medicine, nutrition, natural resources, animal diseases and food production. It is accessed via the Ebsco Discovery Service and where the full text of an article is available a link will be provided. Follow the links below to take you to Ebsco Discovery and the guide will provide you with more information on how to carry out a search.

Civil Service Yearbook

The Civil Service Year Book is the indispensable directory for anyone who needs to find information on the structure, department and key personnel of the Civil Service. An easy to use search facility ensures information can be quickly located.
Availability: NICS Staff

Cochrane Library

A collection of six databases that contain different types of high quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision making, and a seventh database that provides information about groups in The Cochrane Collaboration.
Availability: Open access

EBSCO Discovery Service

EBSCO Discovery Service allows you to search the EBSCO databases as well as Science Direct and Emerald with a single search and download full text articles. The EBSCO databases included are:- Academic Search Elite; Business Source Premier; GreenFILE; Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts; Regional Business News and Teacher Reference Centre. 

If you are unable to find the full text of a journal article on Ebsco, we will endeavour to supply it from another source as quickly as possible. Please email your request to nicslibrary@finance-ni.gov.uk.
Availability: NICS staff

Emerald

An ejournal collection of over 300 journals covering a range of subjects including management, HR, information and knowledge management, marketing, built environment, education and health and social care.
Availability: NICS staff

ENDS Report

The ENDS Report is an important source of news, analysis and reference for environmental professionals across the carbon, environmental and sustainability agenda. There are a limited number of licences available. If you would like to request access please email nicslibrary@finance-ni.gov.uk
Availability: NICS Staff

Euromonitor – Research Monitor

Full-text market reports, internationally comparable statistics and news analysis from country and consumer experts.
Availability: CAFRE staff and students only

Food Watching

Information on food trends and unique food idea generation.
Availability: CAFRE staff and students only

Infotrac Online Journals & Newspapers

Infotrac provides access to journals and newspapers from a variety of mainstream and specialised sources.
Availability: CAFRE staff and students only

Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge Exchange (previously known as Idox Information Service) is a leading source of public sector information in the UK and is a subscription library built up over 40 years of supporting central government, local authorities and voluntary organisations. Areas covered include public sector management, economic development, planning, housing, social services, regeneration, education and environmental services.

To register visit The Knowledge Exchange website. Under the Profile option select the following profile: NICS Library Service Customers and complete the rest of the form with your own details. Your will receive an email once your registration has been confirmed. Once registered, you can access the service at any time to search the library, subscribe to current awareness services, obtain items from the database or request an information search.
Availability: All NICS staff following registration

Legislation.gov.uk

This website if the official revised edition of the primary legislation of the UK and secondary legislation as passed.
Availability: Open access

Lexis Library

Lexis Library is an online information service that provides up-to-date and authoritative legal information including cases, legislation, commentary, forms and precendents, journals and current awareness. The guide below provides additional information on what is available through this Lexis Library subscription.
Availability: NICS staff

Mintel Market Research Reports

Full text market research reports for  Food and Drink UK & Ireland.
Availability: CAFRE staff and students only

Nexis News

Nexis is a database that provides direct access to over 36,000 journals, regional, national and international newspapers, company and business sources and biographical information.
Availability: NICS staff

Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS)

Provides free access to statistical and locational information relating to small areas across Northern Ireland.  Information is available across a wide range of themes, including Population, Health & Social Care, Education & Skills and Crime.
Availability: Open access

Northern Ireland Official Publications Archive (NIOPA)

NIOPA at Queen's University Belfast is a digital archive of Northern Ireland official publications. Documents are gathered from departments, agencies, Northern Ireland Assembly and other official websites and are added to the archive for long term preservation. Associated document descriptions also enhance the ability of researchers to find recent NI official publications from a single source.

Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world.
Availability: NICS Staff

Public Information Online

Public Information Online is a digital library of UK parliamentary and key non-Parliamentary publications. It's content includes electronic publications from UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, National Assembly of Wales and is updated daily. The Northern Ireland Assembly content is from 2008/09 onwards and includes papers, bills, committee reports, Acts and explanatory notes and Official Report Hansard. PIO also provides access to the Civil Service Yearbook.
Availability: NICS staff

Science Direct

Science Direct is a database of over 3,800 journal titles. It covers a wide range of science subjects including Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences and Engineering.

If you are unable to find the full text of a journal article on Science Direct, we will endeavour to supply it from another source as quickly as possible.

Please email your request to nicslibrary@finance-ni.gov.uk.
Availability: NICS staff

Statista

Statista is a leading provider of market and consumer data. The information provided includes overviews and forecasts on trending topics; consumer and brand reports; industry and market insights and company information.
Availability: CAFRE staff and students only

TransportXtra

TransportXtra features news, opinion and analysis from UK transport policy and planning; passenger transport; urban development and parking industries. It also contains the latest transport intelligence from the Landor LINKS portfolio of publications including Local Transport Today and Parking Review as well as New Transit Magazine and an extensive archive. You must register the first time you access it and login each time you visit to access the full range of resources available.
Availability: All NICS staff

Valentine: All Laws of Northern Ireland

This resource covers the whole spectrum of Northern Irish law. It is a collection of the complete, up-to-date text of Acts, Orders, Rules and Regulations relating to law, procedure and evidence as applying to Northern Ireland.