Print and Electronic Indexes

Indexes (also called periodical indexes or databases) include the citations of articles in magazines, journals, newspapers, and other sources.  Indexes may be available in print or electronic formats. 

There are two types of indexes -- general and subject. General indexes provide overviews on a wide variety of topics. Subject indexes contain entries focusing on one field of study.

Some indexes contain abstracts or brief summaries of the articles. Selected electronic indexes contain the full text of articles.

Use an Index

• when you want to find articles on your topic in magazines, journals or newspapers

Examples of Article Indexes

• Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature (general print index)
• Academic Search Elite (general electronic index)
• ABI/Inform (subject index focusing on business)