A database is a collection of information, organized somehow, which is searchable.
A scholarly research database is one of these, designed for and by scholars, usually for a specific topic or discipline. It will contain the literature of a discipline, organised and described in a way that's appropriate to that discipline, with tools useful to it.
UVic Libraries subscribes to these, so that you can find articles and other sources quickly and efficiently.
Find a database:
1. In the Database of Databases:

Choose 'by subject':

Select a subject and 'go':

2. Use a Subject Guide
3. Use the Catalogue