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Article Indexes/Databases
If you are looking for magazine, journal and newspaper articles, using an index is the place to start.
Why use articles? Here are some reasons:
- Articles provide information on a very specific topic.
- Articles are where hot new topics are discussed, such as new research.
- Articles refer to magazines, journals, reference books, trade publications, newspapers, conference proceedings,
pamphlets, newsletters, etc..
- Articles are used for all levels of research.
- Articles are great for research papers of 2-3 pages in length or for speeches.
What are indexes?
- Indexes are periodical indexes; they are published in book or electronic form.
- Most print indexes are searchable by subject, with an added index for authors.
- More specialized print indexes allow you to search by title or keyword.
- Different indexes cover specific subject disciplines for a range of years.
- All indexes are not alike. Also, while some indexes are available electronically, others are only available in print
format located in a library.
- Unlike the library catalog, the coverage of an index is unrelated to the library's holdings. You must take an additional
step when using a print index to determine if the library subscribes to the magazine, journal or newspaper citation.
- Use a periodical index if you need to find information on a particular subject or discipline from a journal, magazine
or newspaper.
- One last note about indexes, there are hundreds of different indexes published covering thousands of
journals/magazines/newspapers published.
- No index will index all journals/magazines/newspapers published.
What are Research Databases?
- Basically, a research database is the electronic version of a print periodical index.
- Databases are searchable with the use of a computer and Internet connection.
- Vendors create databases to be used by libraries, for a fee, in specialized subject areas.
- You use the Internet to connect from your computer to the vendor's database to access the research database, but you are not
searching the web.
- The major difference between a print index and an electronic index, is the inclusion of abstracts and the full text to the
citations.
- Just as print indexes are different from each other, so are research databases. Research databases can provide you with either
citations, abstracts or the full text to magazines, journals and newspapers.
- The Bailey Library has a yearly subscription to many databases, and some are available to us through the State of Michigan MEL
program.
- There are hundreds of different databases created by many different vendors covering all subject areas.
- Just as print indexes, no database will index all journals/magazines/newspapers published.
Where to I find WCC Research Databases to find magazines, newspapers and journals?
Click "Find Articles"
link to access
databases and begin searching. The Library's research databases are password protected from off campus, your netID is the password. If you have not set up your netID, visit
Account Management.
Catalog vs. Indexes
Students need to learn the difference between a library catalog and indexes within the library. Every library has a
catalog. A catalog will provide you with a list of everything the library owns such as books, videos, DVDs, journal
titles, CDs, etc. Every library's catalog is unique to their collection. Washtenaw Community College's library catalog
will be different from Eastern Michigan University's library catalog. In comparison, periodical indexes provide you with
a list of journals from a specific discipline. Libraries purchase many different indexes to cover the subjects studied
at their college or for their community. Libraries subscribe to indexes that compliment their collection and college
course offerings. Using an index is the first step to finding articles, but some additional searching is required
to determine if the library subscribes to a particular journal.
Back to Library's College on Demand Services page.
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