Basics in the use of periodicals

To use information in periodicals you should do two things:

Read new issues

Visit the periodical section of the Library regularly and read new issues of journals as they arrive in the library. By doing this you keep up to date with new knowledge as it is published.

Many of the online databases can be set up to automatically send you e-mail notifications when a new article is published in your subject area. Ask a Librarian for more information about these facilities.

Consult periodical indexes

Consult periodical indexes when you need information on a specific topic. It is neither effective nor efficient to page through single issues of a periodical in the hope that you will find a relevant article.

Definition: A periodical index is "an alphabetical list that refers you to articles within periodicals. The list is generally arranged by subject or author. Periodical indexes are used to locate articles by subject or author within magazines, journals, and newspapers."

Periodical indexes are available in electronic form online on the the Internet, or on CD-ROM. Printed indexes are still used, but are becoming less common, except where the publisher of a particular title prints an annual, or cumulative index to this title.

There are several steps required to successfully make use of these indexes. The next section will explain "Indexes" in more detail.