Comparisons of Music Indexes and Databases

Below is a comparison of online databases and print indexes.

Databases:

Music Index Online -

• primarily an index, has limited full text, is strictly limited to music as a subject
• index from the early 1970s, full text from the early 1990s
• indexes peer-reviewed journals, magazines and trade publications
• many citations include an abstract
• uses a controlled subject vocabulary, has an excellent system of filters to refine the search
• Search can be combined with other Ebsco databases (such as Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, Film & Television Literature Index, Art Full Text, Art Index Retrospective)

A .pdf file detailing the periodicals indexed by the Music Index Online

JStor -

• primarily full text, covers all subjects
• index from 1899; often lacks full text for the most recent articles
• indexes only peer-reviewed journals
• can search within a periodical
• lacks a controlled subject vocabulary, advanced and Beta search allow for refinement
• full text of articles can be found in search engines

A listing of music periodicals indexed in JStor

Print Indexes

Music Index -

• print index only, from 1949 to 2009
• citations must be found in our catalog - through online sources, in our Magazine and Newspaper Center or through Interlibrary-loan
• each volume covers a year
• uses a controlled subject vocabulary that differs from Music Index online

RILM Abstracts of Music Literature -

• print index only, from 1967 to 1999
• includes abstracts
• extensive international coverage, mostly peer-reviewed articles
• citations must be found in our catalog, in online sources, in our Magazine and Newspaper Center or through Interlibrary-loan

Bibliographie des Musikschrifttums -

• print index only, covers 1936-9, 1956-1978
• in German, mostly peer reviewed articles

See also:

Searching Music Databases - a class on Tuesday evening, April 16, 2013 (blog entry 4/14/2013)
The Music Index Online (blog entry 12/12/2012)