When should I choose a subject index over a search engine? At the beginning of your 'query process' you must decide where to look for your information. Use a subject index when you have a general idea of what you are looking for, but need to develop more specific ideas. You'll be able to narrow the focus of your search quickly by browsing for concepts and keywords in the right subject categories. Once you find the right subcategories, the carefully selected information in the subject index will help you decide on what you are really looking for. Subject indexes help you go from broad categories of information to more specific ones.

The more specific and limited your area of investigation, the more appropriate it will be to use a search engine. Search engines allow you to use queries to find highly specific information. If you already understand the unique vocabulary needed to form a good query you might be better off going directly to a search engine. Additionally, if you need timely information a search engine is more likely to produce up to the minute results. (To learn more about how to use subject indexes see the IMSA Micro Module: Subject Indexes.)

How can I find more about keyword selection?

Nothing will help you find just the right information more quickly than using well-chosen keywords in your query. By extracting the most meaningful words from your questions you focus your query. Keywords that return millions of hits are worthless, you want to work with keywords that accurately narrow search results. The right keywords are the fastest path to the relevant information you are after. (For more on how to distill just the right combination of keywords from all the possibilities, see the IMSA Micro Module: Keywords.)

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Authored by Dennis O'Connor 2003-2005