The spelling of the word "Periodical Index" may be confusing to some, as it contains several irregular spellings. The initial "p" is pronounced with a "p" sound, followed by "er" pronounced as "ɛr". The "i" in "Index" is pronounced as "ɪ", while the "o" is pronounced as "ə". Finally, the "c" in "Periodical" is pronounced as "s". Despite its irregularities, the spelling of "Periodical Index" remains standardized and widely used in academic literature.
A Periodical Index is a comprehensive and organized collection of information about articles published in various publications such as magazines, journals, newspapers, and other periodicals. It is primarily used as a reference tool for researchers, scholars, librarians, and students to locate relevant articles on specific topics within a specific time frame.
Periodical Indexes are typically arranged in alphabetical order and often include multiple indexes, such as author index, subject index, and title index, allowing users to search for articles from different perspectives. The subject index is especially useful as it categorizes articles under specific subject headings, making it easier for users to find articles related to a specific subject or theme.
These indexes enable users to search for articles based on author names, publication titles, article titles, keywords, or a combination of these criteria. They also provide additional metadata, such as the publication date, volume number, and page numbers of the articles, which aids in locating the articles in the respective periodicals.
Periodical Indexes can be found in various formats, including print versions, electronic databases, or online platforms. Depending on the type of index, they can cover a wide range of periodicals from different disciplines or focus on specific subject areas. Some popular periodical indexes include the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Academic Search Complete, and JSTOR.
In summary, a Periodical Index acts as a finding aid that helps users efficiently navigate through the vast amount of information present in periodicals, ensuring they can locate relevant articles quickly and effectively for their research or reference needs.
The word "periodical" refers to something that occurs or is published at regular intervals, usually referring to magazines, journals, or newspapers. It is derived from the Latin word "periodicus" which means "recurring, periodic", which in turn comes from the Greek word "periodikos" meaning "circular, recurring".
The word "index" comes from the Latin word "indicare" which means "to point out" or "to show". It is derived from the Latin word "in-" which indicates direction or intensity, and "dicare" meaning "to proclaim" or "to declare".
Therefore, the term "periodical index" refers to a tool or resource that points, directs, or shows the content of periodicals, allowing researchers, students, or readers to locate specific articles or topics within a collection of magazines, journals, or newspapers.