Go to the library website and use the OneSearch tab or the A-Z Database list (if you want to browse and search in specific databases)
Where books can be broad in their coverage, articles can be very focused. For example: You can find a book on the entire History of the Middle East that covers many centuries. An article might just be about Conflict in the Middle East
Google Scholar is another great source for articles (and some ebooks)
*Be sure to go into Settings, Library links and add in Georgetown University the first time you use Google Scholar.
Not all searches are equal: "Middle East" AND culture VS Middle East AND culture
Content available on a database can include journal articles, book reviews, pamphlets, etc.
Be aware of the concept of peer-reviewed journal articles. These are journal articles that have gone through a rigorous review process by scholars in their field of study. You want to avoid articles that are not peer-reviewed, like popular magazines and many online sources (e.g. blogs, message boards, personal websites, etc.)