Support and FAQ

Support 

Are you a student or researcher and do you encounter problems searching through the financial databases? Are you having problems accessing or using the Financial databases? Then read the FAQ first to see if it gives the answer to your question or problem! If not, send an email to our financial data support officer via lis-financialdatasupport@tilburguniversity.edu. Explain clearly in your email what your problem is, which information you are trying to find and what you have done so far to find this information. You will receive a reply within five working days. 

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions that are answered below:

• How can I access databases, and why are some databases not available from home? 
• What should I do if the EZproxy connection does not work?
• How do I make a reservation for a Data Lab computer?
• How long is a WRDS account valid?
• How do I search for databases?
• How do I search for a database with data for a certain/specific year?
• Can I get access to Datastream for a class assignment?
• I contacted the Refinitiv customer support but they did not want to answer my request. What can I do?
• I’m a student/researcher/teacher/PhD student and need access to SDC. How can I arrange this?
• Does Tilburg University Library subscribe to database XYZ?
• I need access to a database that is not listed in the licensed databases. Whom should I contact?
• Can I use the financial databases during my internship at a (commercial) company?

How can I access databases, and why are some databases not available from home? 

The way in which you can access databases depends on access options supported by the database vendor and possibly subscription limitations. Many databases are available on-campus on any computer, or off-campus via EZproxy. Some databases can be accessed through a username/password combination.  

The exact type of access for each database can be found in the ‘Access’ column in our database listing Find Financial Databases  or click on ‘More …’ in this list for the detailed description of each database. All access options are explained in the table in the text bar ‘How to use this list'. 

More detailed information about all options for database access in general

What should I do if the EZproxy connection does not work? 

If you experience issues with a database that should be available through EZproxy contact Library Support. 

How do I make a reservation for a Data Lab computer? 

Although the Data Lab has reopened after closure during the Corona period, we strongly encourage that you continue to access the databases from home or on your own laptop. If this is not possible, you can make a reservation for a Data Lab computer, but only for access to Workspace/Datastream and SDC. Please read the instructions on the webpage User guides and notes.

How long is a WRDS account valid? 

In general, WRDS accounts for students are initially valid for a maximum of two years. Use of WRDS accounts is not allowed after graduation.

Near the WRDS account expiration date, you will receive an automated email containing information on how to extend your account. Contact information for account extension is also available on the WRDS website.

If you don’t take any action after the warning email, your account will expire. If you still wish to reactivate your account after that, please contact one of your WRDS representative(s):

• Tommy Klein Breteler: T.Kleinbreteler@tilburguniversity.edu 
• Nico Tilburgs: N.J.Tilburgs@tilburguniversity.edu 
• Nicole Broeders-Goos: N.D.A.M.Broeders-Goos@tilburguniversity.edu 

How do I search for databases?

Enter one or more words in the search box on the Find Financial Databases page where it says "OR filter by this term in any field". The list of databases will be dynamically filtered to only show those databases with descriptions containing your search term(s). Tips: 

• By default, results are presented regardless of word order: economic growth will match any description that contains the word economic and growth, no matter which order. It would match economic growth, growth economic and economics has nothing to do with growth. 

• To search for a specific phrase, containing words in a specific order, enter words in quotation marks: "economic growth".

• Words you enter are considered to be stems, results will contain words that start with these letters: economic will find economic, economics, economical, etc. To prevent this from happening, use a phrase search and add a space at the end of the word: "economic ".

How do I search for a database with data for a certain/specific year? 

Determine what type of data you want to find, e.g., stock prices or rankings, and search for that type of data on the Find Financial Databases page. For each database with this type of data, click the 'more' link in the database description to see all information about the database. There you will find information about the time period covered by the database. The ‘Year start’ lists the very first year for which data is available. The ‘Year end’ lists the very last year for which data is available. In some cases, only some of the data is available for this time frame, e.g., a database may have annual stock prices back to 1980, but daily stock prices back to 2000 only. In this case, the year start date will be presented as 1980. 

Can I get access to Datastream for a class assignment? 

Yes, this is possible. All students and staff from Tilburg University have access to our financial databases, including Workspace/Datastream. To get access, please read the instructions on the webpage User guides and notes.

I contacted the Refinitiv customer support but they did not want to answer my request. What can I do? 

The Refinitiv customer support is only in contact with the financial data support officer. In case of any enquiries, please send an email to lis-financialdatasupport@tilburguniversity.edu and they will do it on your behalf. 

I’m a student/researcher/teacher/PhD student and need access to SDC. How can I arrange this?

As of January 2023, the SDC Platinum database has been integrated into Workspace. The standalone version of SDC Platinum is no longer available! Please note that from now on we have access for all modules of SDC (formerly only limited to three modules). To get access to the integrated version of SDC, please email lis-financialdatasupport@tilburguniversity.edu to schedule an appointment.

Does Tilburg University Library subscribe to database XYZ?

All financial databases are listed on the Find Financial Databases page. All other databases are listed on the Libsearch site (All databases A to Z). If the XYZ database is not listed in either of these services, this means Tilburg University Library does not subscribe to this database.  

However, you may be able to find similar data in other databases. Instead of searching for a database name, you should search for the type of information you are looking for, to see if this data can be found in any of our other databases.  

I need access to a database that is not listed in the licensed databases. Whom should I contact?

For databases to which the university does not have a license, you will need to contact your research supervisor or your head of department. The library only provides access to financial databases on request of the faculty. We advise you to search in alternative available databases. If you are not sure where to search for the data you need, please send an email to lis-financialdatasupport@tilburguniversity.edu, explaining clearly what your problem is and which information you are trying to find. 

Can I use the financial databases during my internship at a (commercial) company?

Yes, you may use the databases but there are some restrictions. You may download en edit data, and you may include the results in your thesis. You are not allowed to transfer the data to the company where you are interning and you are not allowed to use it for commercial purposes. You also are not allowed  to use the data for your work for that company.

Please note that these restrictions are included in the licenses we have with the data base supplier and that there are consequences for any misuse!