• Provides a list of articles that can be searched by topic or author
• Sometimes includes an abstract or summary so you can tell if the article is really what you are looking for
• Lists the basic information you need in order to find the article (journal title, volume, date, page numbers)
• Both electronic and print indexes are available in the library

Finding the right index

Select "Databases and Indexes" from the Library Homepage.

Consult the Subject List or select the Alphabetical List

The Multi-Database Search groups databases into subject areas and allows the user to search several or all databases simultaneously.

Some periodical indexes are available only in paper form .  These indexes are:

• Arranged by year
• Provide citations for articles
• May contain abstracts

Paper periodical indexes are divided into two categories based on how they are arranged.

1. Subject and Author Indexes arearranged alphabetically in one list

For Example: Feminist Periodicals

2. Indexes can also be arranged by citation or abstract number. Check the subject index for the number of the citation for your topic.

For Example: Criminal Justice Abstracts