How and why should I use subject databases?

The SUNY Adirondack LIbrary buys access to dozens of online products focusing on specific subject areas.

For instance, these library databases offer research on: 

• criminal justice and law (law cases in WestLaw) 
• nursing (specialized nursing videos databases like MedCom)
• business (company reports from Hoover's Online),
• art history (Oxford Art Online, an online database with high-quality images of artwork),
• stastistics (Statista)
• and dozens of other subjects.

See the link below for the library's Subject Databases page. Mouse over each database for descriptions. 

Here's a shopping analogy. Let's say you want to buy a new phone. 

• General databases are like searching Amazon.com to buy a phone.
• Subject databases are like searching Samsung's or Apple's sites to buy a phone.