LESSON 6 CONTENTS:

Learning Objectives

Part One: Periodical Literature

I. The Importance of Periodical Literature in Research

II. Types of Periodicals

III. Electronic Journals

IV. Types of Periodical Articles

Part Two: Periodical Indexes

V. General and Subject Periodical Indexes

VI. Print and Computerized Periodical Indexes

VII. Choosing the Right Index

VIII. General Guidelines for Using Periodical Indexes

IX. Interpreting Periodical Citations

X. Key Points to Remember

Lesson Six Quiz

Lesson Six Exercise

After you have chosen an appropriate index for your topic, keep in mind the following general principles when using any periodical index:

• Learn the scope of the index.
  
• If using a computerized index, what search methods are allowed? (Remember, author, title, subject, and keyword are the 4 basic methods of searching computerized databases.)
  
• If using a computerized index, use the same search strategy recommended for searching online catalogs: start with a keyword search, choose a relevant article, and click on the subject headings that best match your topic.
  
• When examining subject headings, pay special attention to subdivisions that focus on narrower aspects of the subject.
  
• Pay close attention to any “see” or “see also” references.
  
• Interpret the citations correctly. (See the next section of this lesson.)
  
• Evaluate the records your search revealed and select those that are relevant to your topic (This is Step 6 of the research process.) To do this you must read any abstracts that accompany the citations and look for other clues to an article’s credibility.
  
• Print, download, or email the relevant citations and/or articles.
  
• If using a computerized index and the full-text of an article you want to read is not available, find out if your library subscribes to that periodical.