Once you determine the timeframe your research must cover, you will know whether to use a print or electronic index - or both! The next step is to identify the specific index or indexes that are most likely to contain information on your topic.

• General indexes: cover all fields or subjects, but not necessarily in depth. For example, Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, or InfoTrac OneFile
• Subject specific indexes: cover one broad subject area in depth. For example, biology-Biological Abstracts, engineering-Compendex, agriculture-CAB Abstracts
• Highly specialized indexes: cover one very narrow or specialized subject in great depth and detail. For example, International Medieval Bibliography, Transportation Research Information Service, or Toxicology Abstracts

Hint: In general, if you only need 3 or 4 relatively recent and not too technical articles on a topic, a good general index, such as InfoTrac Onefile, may serve your purposes better than a subject specific or specialized index.