Current Events and Issues Using Index Databases for Finding Answers

Abstracting and Indexing Defined “A category of database that provides bibliographic citations and abstracts of the literature of a discipline or subject area, as distinct from a retrieval service that provides information sources in full-text.” -Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science

Abstracting and Indexing Defined While the strict definition still holds true, increasingly, index databases provide information in full-text.

The Evolution from Electronic to Print In the Olden Days…  Print indexes, (as do electronic) directed the user to the article  Full-text must then be located in the library Or not – Interlibrary Loan (Resource Sharing)

Drawbacks to print Time consuming to use Indexes are often arranged by year  User may need to search multiple volumes Index being used by another patron Citation only

Current uses for Print Indexes Retrospective coverage  Although, many electronic databases are now providing indexes from earlier periods Through ignorance or choice, patrons often disregard print indexes  Even if the scope of coverage is better

Electronic Indexes Updated (daily, weekly, monthly) Allows multiple users (depending on license) Increasingly provides access to full-text Easier to determine if the library has access to the full-text

But some things never change The librarian and user must determine the right index to use

Categories of Indexes  Periodicals General indexes - covers a broad field  Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature (Wilson Omni file) om/cgi-bin/jumpstart.cgi?sp.dbid.p=S%28F5%29 om/cgi-bin/jumpstart.cgi?sp.dbid.p=S%28F5%29  Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) Subject indexes – Cover a narrow, specific field  Cover not only articles, but materials found in books, pamphlets, reports and government documents  Applied Science & Technology Index  Library Literature

Categories of Indexes - Newspapers:  Chicago Tribune: Print Index: 1972 Electronic index: 1985  New York Times Print (Crown Library) , 1946-present Electronic index: 1985 (Newspaper Source)  Wall Street Journal Print Electronic index: 1972 (Lexis Nexis)

Which Index to use? The name may reflect the subject - Example  Art Index Or, consult a reference work to locate an appropriate index:  American Reference Book Annual (ARBA)  Magazines for Libraries  Guide to Reference Books  Ulrich’s Periodical Directory

Where is it Indexed? Locating periodicals: Sources  Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory  Magazines for Libraries (Print)

Access Points Index publishers determine access points Typically, general access points include:  Title  Author  Subject (heading)  Keyword Index-specific access points can include  ISSN  Journal Name  Country of publication  And on and on and on…

Searching an Index – Subject Headings- Defined:  “A subject heading consisting of two or more words that together represent a single concept ("Book reviewing") or two related concepts ("Libraries and adult education"). -Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science

Searching an Index – Subject Headings- Defined: “A descriptive word or phrase selected by a subject specialist at the Library of Congress from the list of Library of Congress Subject Headings and assigned to a book or other item when first published to indicate its subject. Multiple subject headings are assigned when necessary or desirable. The complete list of LC subject headings is published annually in a multivolume set colloquially known as "the big red books," usually available in the reference section of most large public and academic libraries and in the cataloging department of smaller libraries. “ -Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science

Searching an Index – Subject Headings- Controlled Vocabulary Library of Congress Subject Headings  Used in most large public libraries and academic libraries – AKA the red books Sears List of Subject Headings  Abridged version of LCSH uses fewer subject headings Intended for use by smaller public and school libraries

Subject Headings A controlled vocabulary (subject headings) allow for greater specificity in searching Usually provides more accurate search results Ease of use

Subject Headings Indexers (and now computer programs) identify key terms in the text of materials Assign subject headings from a list of subject heading terms

Controlled Vocabulary: Thesaurus Defined: “A book of synonyms and near- synonyms in a written language, usually arranged conceptually, although dictionary arrangement is not uncommon.” -Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science List of terms used for indexing and for searching, similar to subject headings Are usually specific to subject database

Searching an Index – Using Key Word Keywords can be used to search  Title  Abstract  Full-text Searching with keywords provides less precision Many, many more returned results

Questions? Happy Searching!