| Periodical indexes allow you to search for
citations to
articles in popular magazines and scholarly journals.
Sometimes these indexes have the complete or "full text"
of articles as well. Indexes cover all sorts of
subjects. If you start with a general index you will
find articles about new trends, opinions, and
information for the non-specialist. You may be familiar
with the general index called Readers' Guide to
Periodical Literature. Periodical indexes are one
of the best sources to use when writing a research
paper. Where do you find these indexes? Good question.
Libraries purchase some periodical indexes and allow
their community to use them over the Web. To figure out
what indexes are available and the subjects they cover
look at your library's Web page. You could also ask a
librarian at your school. (Don't worry, you aren't
bothering them.)
Periodical indexes are one of the best places to find
information because:
- you can access many of them through the Web
- they index information which has gone
through an editorial review process
- they cover a variety of subjects
- they are structured for finding information
more precisely
- they offer citations to the popular
magazines and scholarly journals that have
articles on your topic
In Module Two you will learn more about choosing and
searching periodical indexes. Mastering these skills
will make research easier. |
