Definition of a Database

A Database is a place where information is stored. Examples of databases include formal programs that create databases for quantitative analysis or more informal databases such as a recipes, shopping lists, or task lists. These kinds of informal databases help organize knowledge and actions, just as the more formal types of databases, for example on population and breast or prostate cancer statistics in the United States. We can compare a time series data on 2 to 3 decades of population census statistics and find out if there is an increase or decrease in the growth of certain illnesses or other variables, such as employment growth, housing growth. When we have a profile of the growth or decline of certain measurement then policy makers can make rational decisions about allocations of resources.
(The definition and function descriptions are taken from Townsend and Lindsay, Using Paradox for Windows)

Table

The purpose of the database is to store information; the place where data is stored is called a table. A table consists of row and columns. A row, also called a record, contains information about each item you are tracking in the table. A column, also known as a field, stores each characteristic you are tracking in the table.

Queries [Searches]

Queries are quick, interactive ways to retrieve information from the database.

Form

Forms offer a way to access information in database tables. Forms often display the same fields as tables, but they display only one record at a time.

Reports

To retrieve information about the database, you use a report. A report is a procedure that extracts information in the database, formats the information with background text, and sends it to an output device (usually in the printer).

This is a concrete example of a project I worked on for the Association for Asian Studies, whereby I was to analyze the usage of Posters at the National Meetings in 1996. The objective was to characterize the first two years of this presentation format.
I created a database that analyzed :

• Gender

• Regional Affiliation

• (Geographic) Area of Study

• Field of Study

Database Image Map
Click on the numbered areas of the image to the right - to go to that section.