Using Indexes

While searching the Library Catalog will help you determine if the Library has a particular journal, magazine, or newspaper, it will not allow you to search the contents of these publications. To look for an article on a topic, you will have to use another tool called an index.

Indexes allow you to search within the content of journals, magazines, or newspapers. They provide bibliographic information (references or citations) describing who wrote the article, what it was about, and where and when it was published. After you use an index to identify the article you are looking for, you can then determine if the Library has the newspaper, magazine or journal you need in print or online in full-text..

Indexes can be in print or a database. Most of the Library's major indexes are now online and are accessible both on or off-campus through the Library's Web site. A few may be in CD-ROM format and mounted on a computer at the Library. These databases can be general in focus, meaning that they index a variety of journals or magazines in all subject areas. Other databases may focus on a particular subject (history, chemistry, etc.), type of publication (newspapers, academic journals, etc.), or time period (only 19th century materials or only recent publications). Be aware that in some instances you may still need to use a print index (especially when looking for articles in older publications).

1. Database Starting Points
   A guide that lists some suggested resources to start with when you are looking for article. This list is a good starting point for locating a resource to use to find articles, but is not a comprensive listing of all of our resources in a subject area.
   
   
2. CrossSearch
   CrossSearch is a feature which allows you to search one or more of the Library's databases at one time. The Library has included some pre-selected lists of databases for each subject area. Please note that not all of the Library's resources are not available in CrossSearch.
   
   
3. Database Finder
   The Database Finder includes all of the Library's subscription electronic resources, as well as selected resources that are available freely on the web. You can locate electronic resources by title or browse through a list of resources in a particular subject area.
   
   
4. Research Guides by Subject
   The Library has extensive help guides which highligh resources and services for each field. Subject guides often provide far more comprehensive descriptions for each database, as well as extensive lists of reliable resources available over the web.
   
   
5. Google Scholar
   Google Scholar searches for articles in academic publications. You can set Google Scholar preferences to help you determine if a specific article you find is available at the University of Chicago Library.
   
   
6. Ask a Librarian
   The Library's reference librarians and subject specialists/bibliographers can help you determine what is the best index for your research needs. Our librarians can also provide you helpful search tips and techniques to help you find the articles you need.