Searching the music literature - Finding Journal Articles and Other Materials
Journals are an important source of up-to-date, highly specific
information. The Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library Journals Collection is quite extensive and many titles are available full-text online.
Indexes are the best way of identifying relevant journal articles and other useful materials.
- JSTOR
(EZP) Index with Full Text. (restricted -
University of Melbourne only)
Index and fulltext to 32
Music titles plus 100+ core research journals in many subject areas. Coverage
starts in the 1800s or the beginning year of publication and includes all but
the most recent years (as required by the publisher). More information about currently
available collections and journals. Additional titles are being added regularly.
A guide is
available.
- Music
Index Online 1976- Index with selective fulltext articles to 32
Music titles via JSTOR. (restricted - University of Melbourne only)
A Subject-Author index to more than 800
international music periodicals from over 40 countries in 22 languages.
A broad range of subjects
is covered as well as book reviews, reviews of music recordings,
tapes, and performances. First performances and obituaries
are noted. This index offers a Subject List to aid in the
selection of useful search terms. A guide
is available.
Earlier issues available as Music Index 1949- UniM
Music REF 016.78 MUSI 1949-
- RILM
Abstracts of Music Literature (CSA), 1967- Index
with selective fulltext (restricted - University of Melbourne only)
An index to literature on music including books, articles,
essays, reviews, dissertations, Festschriften, iconographies,
etc. While RILM's content is selective, its access to the
publications indexed is unique, and the coverage
is broad, extending well beyond the primary
journals literature. Includes an abstract for each listing.
A guide
is available.
Also available in print, RILM 1967- at UniM
Music REF 016.78 RILM.
RILM is an excellent print index to browse as the numbered
citations, including abstracts, are arranged in broad classes/subjects.
Search the Author and Subject index at the back of each
volume for references which include the abstract number,
the subject classification section number and the document
type code.
- Canadian
Music Periodical Index (National Library of Canada) -
Index.
An index of articles from Canadian music periodicals from
the late-19th century to the present day. A periodical
titles list is available on this website as well as a
useful browse
by subject feature. A searching
guide is also available.
Texts of articles are not available from this site, but can
be obtained through interlibrary
loan at your local library.
- CAIRSS for Music
- Index on the internet at: http://imr.utsa.edu/CAIRSS.html
An online bibliographic database of music research literature
from the primary journals in music therapy, plus selections
from many other journals. CAIRSS attempts to unify
citations to the music therapy literature in one database.
Useful also for topics in Music Education, Music Psychology,
etc. A CAIRSS
Thesaurus, plus a guide
is available.
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The following indexes allow you to read the fulltext online. If a more comprehensive search is required, a variety of indexes is recommended. Also check
the library catalogue for additional access to journals via
other subscriptions.
- A+
Education (Informit) - Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
"Indexed from 700+ journals in AEI (Australian Education Index), there are 200+ comprehensively indexed journals of which, currently, approximately 33% of the journals are copyright cleared. The scanned images of journal articles in A+ Education are sourced mostly from these comprehensively indexed journals. Images are provided in PDF format."
You can link to articles from Australian and New
Zealand journals covering all levels of education (from early
childhood to tertiary and adult learning); curriculum; educational
history, planning administration and policy; educational
psychology and sociology; educational systems and institutions;
and research measurement techniques.
- APAFT : Australian
Public Affairs Fulltext - Index with Full Text
(restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
Based on the index APAIS : Australian Public Affairs Information
Service, topics covered include business, health, current
affairs, economics, humanities, culture, law, literature,
politics and social sciences. Approximately 30 percent is
available in fulltext. To get full-text articles,
check the box "Full Text Records Only".
A guide
is available.
-
Education: A SAGE Full-Text Collection (CSA) -
Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
Covers such subject areas as: Adult and Continuing Education, Educational Administration, Educational Policy, Elementary and Primary Education, High School and Secondary Education, Higher Education, International Education, Leadership, Measurement and Testing, Multicultural Education and Diversity, Professional Development, Teaching and Instruction, Teaching Methods.
- Education Complete (ProQuest)
- Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
A multi-disciplinary index with full-text to databases including
ProQuest Medical Library, ProQuest Education Complete
and Social Science Plus. For comprehensive searching,
use the "Search all Collections" default. For
full text articles only, check 'Limit results to: Full text
documents only' box. A guide
is available.
-
Educational Research Abstracts Online (Taylor and Francis) -
Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
Also known as: ERA. Produced in the UK, ERA indexes over 700 highly regarded
education journals. It covers educational technology, multicultural
education, higher education, educational sociology, educational
management, and special needs and technical education and
training.
To access the search screen click on the link ERA Online - Login. Password is NOT required.
Other databases included are: Educational Management Abstracts, Educational Technology Abstracts, Multicultural Education Abstracts
- ERIC
(CSA),1966- Index with Full Text. (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
ERIC consists of the Resources in Education (RIE) file and
the Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE) file of
journal article citations from over 750 professional journals. In addition, ERIC provides coverage of conferences, meetings, government documents, theses, dissertations, reports, audiovisual media, bibliographies, directories, books and monographs. Updated monthly.
A guide
is available..
- Expanded
Academic ASAP 1980- Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
A multi-disciplinary database covering humantities, social
science, science and technology. Access to scholarly journals,
news magazines, and newspapers, including the New York
Times. Complements other subject-specific indexes. A
guide
is available.
- Ingenta
Connect - Journal Search. - Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
A multidisciplinary database indexing topics ranging from
science, technology and medicine, to the humanities and social
sciences. This index also available on the public Ingenta
document delivery service website.
This service provides:
1. the ability to search for keywords found in journal titles,
tables of contents, or abstracts
2. access to tables of contents of journals
3. an email alerting service to new articles on designated
topics or tables of contents from specific journals
4. direct access to some full-text articles.
E-journals:
Fulltext Articles from your Desktop
- JSTOR
(EZP) Index with Full Text. (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
Index and fulltext to 32
Music titles plus 100+ core research journals in many
subject areas. Coverage starts in the 1800s or the beginning
year of publication and includes all but the most recent
years (as required by the publisher). Additional titles are
being added regularly. A guide
is available.
- Project
MUSE (Johns Hopkins University Press) - Index with Full
Text (restricted - University of
Melbourne only)
multi-disciplinary database of over 200 fulltext electronic
journals from America's Johns Hopkins University Press covering
humanities and social sciences, including Anthroplogy, Art,
Culture & Society, Education, Film, Theatre, Folklore,
History, Medieval Studies, Medicine & Health, Music,
Philosophy, Psychology, and Women's Studies.
E-journals:
Fulltext Articles from your Desktop .
- PsycArticles, 1985- (CSA) - Index with Full Text (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
PsycARTICLES indexes selected peer-reviewed U.S., Canadian, and European journals
in general and specialized psychology and includes full-text articles linked
to every record. It includes all articles from the journal issues indexed, as
well as errata and letters to the editor. A guide is
available.
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- AEI
: Australian Education Index, 1978- Index
(restricted - University
of Melbourne only)
A bibliographic database that indexes and abstracts documents
from printed and electronic sources at all levels of education
and related fields. Source documents include journal articles,
monographs, research reports, theses, conference papers,
legislation, parliamentary debates, newspaper articles, tests
and web. Articles and reports by Australian authors or about
Australian education published in overseas sources are also
included. Produced by the Australian Council for Educational
Research (ACER).
- APAIS : Australian Public Affairs Information Service,
1978-
- Index with selective fulltext (restricted - University
of Melbourne only)
Indexes a wide range of Australian periodicals, newspapers, scholarly journals, conference papers and books. Subject coverage includes current affairs, economics, humanities, law, literature, politics and social sciences.
Earlier issues in print as APAIS - UniM
Bail REF 015.94 APAI 1945- A guide
is available.
- British Humanities Index (CSA), 1962- - Index
(restricted - University of Melbourne
only)
"An international abstracting and indexing tool for research in the humanities, BHI indexes over 320 internationally respected humanities journals and weekly magazines published in the UK and other English speaking countries, as well as quality newspapers published in the UK."
- British Library Direct
A free to search index, but is a pay-as-you-go journal article provision service
that offers more than nine million articles from 20,000 international
research journals. These articles go back five years, and about 150,000 new entries are added a month. Unlike some indexes which are late in indexing RECENT issues of journals, this is a multi-disciplinary index which does. If you keep the search fairly
broad, this can be a useful browsing search to scan what is generally going
on in recent publications. Lots of 2005 entires! Search results contain
citation information -- title, author, journal, date, etc. Sometimes abstracts
are available. Click on the title and you'll get additional information,
including ISSN/ISBN, publisher, and copyright fee (the ones I looked at
ranged between £5.00 and £18.00.) There's also an advanced search which allows you to search in several different fields and do a date-restricted search. Of course to download any of these articles you'll need to register and pay.
Rather than use the purchase service, see if the journal title is in our library
catalogue - may even be available online via one of our multi-disciplinary
subscriptions. Or if music journals, check out the Music Journals List
at: http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/music/journals.html
- Historical
Abstracts, 1955- Index
(restricted - University of Melbourne only)
International in scope, this leading bibliography for historical
research provides indexing to the key history journals from
most countries, and a targeted selection of journals in the
social sciences and humanities that are of special interest
to researchers and students of world history from 1450 to
the present (excluding the United States and Canada which
are covered in America : History and Life).
· Currently indexes approximately 1800 journals in
50 languages.
· Provides coverage of books published in the field,
and dissertations.
· Over half a million entries with abstracts. A guide
to assist in use is available.
Also available in print at UniM Bail REF 016.05 H862
-
IBSS : International
Bibliography of Social Sciences - Index.
(restricted - University
of Melbourne only)
An online resource for social science and interdisciplinary
research which includes two million plus bibliographic references
to journal articles and to books, reviews and selected chapters
dating back to 1951 and updated quarterly. IBSS is unique
in its broad coverage of international material and incorporates
over 100 languages and countries. Over 2,700 journals are
regularly indexed and some 7,000 books included each year.
Abstracts are provided for half of all current journal articles.
Major areas of coverage include: Psychology, Human behaviour,
Organisation theory, Social work, social problems and social
policy, Gender and sexuality studies, Family studies, Criminology,
Cultural studies, Education, Ethnology and ethnography, Health,
Race and ethnic studies, Sociology, and Social sciences.
A
guide is available.
- MLA
International Bibliography Plus, 1963- (InfoTrac) -
Index
(restricted - University of Melbourne only)
The Modern Language Association (MLA) International Bibliography
provides access to more than 1.5 million bibliographic citations
to journal articles, books, and dissertations from 1963 to
the present in academic disciplines such as: language, literature,
folklore, linguistics, literary theory and criticism, and
the dramatic arts. Book reviews are included. A guide
is available.
- PsycINFO
(CSA), 1840- Index (restricted - University of
Melbourne only)
Produced by the American Psychological Association, contains
citations and summaries of journal articles, technical reports, as well as citations to dissertations,
all in the field of psychology and psychological aspects
of related disciplines, such as medicine, psychiatry, nursing,
sociology, education, pharmacology, physiology, linguistics,
anthropology, business, and law. Cited references (2002-)
are now displayed in the References (RE=) field. This implementation
allows searchers to actively link to any cited reference
present in PsycINFO and to other records in PsycINFO that
also cite the record. A guide
is available.
-
Web of Science (ISI) - Index (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
The Web of Science database includes the following
citaiton indexes:
* Science Citation Index Expanded®,
* Social Sciences Citation Index®,
* Arts & Humanities Citation Index®.
A multi-disciplinary index to the international journal literature
with the unique features of a citation index that lets you
find out where and by whom a paper has been cited. Comprising,
among others, the Arts & Humanities Citation Index
a multidisciplinary database indexing 1,144 of the world's
leading arts as well as individually selected, relevant items
from over 6,800 social science journals. Guide
to citation databases. A guide
is available.
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 Historical Indexes
If more comprehensive historical research is required, the
following indexes can be useful. Refer also to bibliographies
such as Music
research and information guides and Detroit
Studies in Music Bibliography series and others in our
Reference
Collection.
- Diamond, Harold J., 1934- UniM Music REF 016.781
DIAM
Music
analyses : an annotated guide to the literature.
New York : Schirmer Books : Maxwell Macmillan International
; Toronto : Collier Macmillan Canada, c1991.
English language citations "gleaned from 750 books,
100 periodicals and 400 dissertations" - preface.
-
Music Index, 1949- at UniM Music REF 016.78
MUSI
Earlier print issues available in the Music Library.
- Wenk, Arthur, 1943- UniM Music REF 016.7809034 WENK
Analyses
of nineteenth- and twentieth-century music, 1940-1985
/ compiled by Arthur Wenk.
Boston : Music Library Association, c1987. (MLA index and
bibliography series, no.25).
"The purpose of this index is to provide rapid access
to technical materials of an analytical nature contained
in periodicals, monographs, Festschriften and dissertations....
contains 5664 entries by some 2400 authors drawn from 132
periodcals and 93 Festschriften, covering 779 composers."
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Journal search strategy, step by step.
Finding journal articles is an important part of the process
of exploring the existing literature on a particular topic.
There are a number of useful online indexes which make the
task easy. Getting the most out of searching electronic databases
often takes a little practice and planning. Successful searching
can depend on:
- familiarity with your search topic and/or sub-topics;
familiarity with the contents and format of the database
itself; developing a good search strategy allowing for broader
or narrower search terms, synonyms, etc.; be aware that the computer only searches for words not
"meanings".
- Sometimes, browsing through the print database equivalent
is the best (first) approach.
To successfully locate journal articles relevant to your
topic follow the searching strategy below. Try Smart
Searching guides to learn better searching techniques.
Please ask library staff for further assistance.
 |
Identify keywords |
- List the keywords that describe your research topic.
Use reference
sources to clarify the meanings of words and identify
synonyms or similar words that describe your topic.
Include alternative spellings.
List words that indicate the scope of the information
you need.
- Are your interested in a particular date range, region
or industry?
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| |
What is an Index? |
- To locate articles, you need to use an index.
Indexes are the best tools to use to identify articles
on a particular topic, by a particular author or in a
specific journal.
Most indexes include abstracts (article summaries)
to help you assess each article's relevance to your topic.
Most indexes are available online and may be called
databases
- Some online indexes include the full text of articles.
|
| |
Select an Index |
There are many indexes to choose from depending
on your particular topic. In general, start with
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Search Index |
- Use keywords from your list to search the index or
database.
If your search finds too many records, narrow your
search by using more words form your list of keywords.
Link words using AND, OR, NOT.
- If your search finds too few records try alternative
words from your keywords list.
|
| |
Relevant articles |
- Scroll through your search result to identify relevant
articles.
Read the abstracts of articles to help decide whether
they are relevant.
- Check the subject or descriptor fields to identify
additional words to add to your list of keywords.
|
| |
Citation details |
- Once you have identified relevant articles you will
need to locate the full text of those articles.
Note the citation details.
- Citation details include:
- article title
article author(s)
journal title
volume
issue
date
- page numbers
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| |
Library catalogue
for the full text of journals |
- Use the journal title from the citation.
Select Title
and key in the journal title.
If the journal is in print, note the location and call
number.
- If the journal is electronic, the catalogue will display
the 'Connect' link for access.
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| |
Follow-up references |
- Don't forget to follow up useful references in the
bibliography of any pertinent articles.
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| |
Working bibliography |
- As you collect articles maintain a working bibliography.
This list of references may change and develop as your
search progresses but it will make compiling your final
bibliography much easier.
Make sure you include all citation details - you don't
want to have to chase them up later.
- Use your department's recommended style
guide for citing references.
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| |
Browsing |
- Don't forget to browse new journals on display in the
Music Library, or browse the printed tables of contents
of recent journal issues kept on the new journals display
shelves.
- The serendipity of browsing may result in some key
articles. The Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library Journals Collection
is available in print and online.
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| |
Reading/Evaluating/Writing |
- Once you have collected enough articles you are ready
for the next part of the research process - Useful
Links & Resources for Writing - Learning Skills
Unit, University of Melbourne.
|
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Tools for locating journals in Local and National Libraries, or Online
The Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library Journals Collection is extensive and includes access to both print and online journal titles.
From Friday 30 March 2007 :
- e-journals and databases will not be listed in the
library catalogue.
- Bookmarks and favourites that you maintain
to specific e-journals and databases
may cease to function.
- SuperSearch,
will become the single access point for all e-journals and databases.
- Go to Find
E-journal. Browse the alphabetical list, or type the name of a journal you know.
- Select Brief View for displayed
journals to see the date range for each
e-journal.
- Use
to link directly to the article
or catalogue holdings.
- Note that
links appear in index records on JSTOR,
Music
Index Online, RILM,
etc.
If you have a question about locating
the information you need, contact
us for expert assistance.
Locating Journals Online - Which fulltext databases give access?
The following options may be useful:
- Cufts
A database which allows you to find which database collections include a particular journal title, and what coverage dates are available
- JAKE
Another database which allows you to search by individual journal
title to see which databases index and/or
include fulltext online.
- Ulrich's
International Periodicals Directory (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
A bibliographic database providing detailed information on
serials, in all subjects, the databases that index them and which provide fulltext access.
There will be times though when a journal you are looking
for is not available locally. Most libraries allow visitors
to use their journal collections onsite. It is recommended that
you phone beforehand or check the web for details on access
and opening hours.
For Music Periodical titles held at other Australian
institutions use:
- SIAL
: Serials in Australian Libraries (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
Lists the holdings of more than 450,000 periodical titles
held in academic and state libraries around Australia. The
holdings of all state and territory libraries, most university
libraries, the libraries of most federal and many state government
departments, as well as many TAFE and public libraries are
included.
- Libraries
Australia - Australian National Bibliographic database.
The National Library of Australia's service which provides
access to material held in Australian libraries. Also lists
journal holdings Australia wide as well as other published
sources including books, conference proceedings, theses,
reports etc..
If you are unable to visit in person, document delivery
may be an option. The Interlibrary
Loans & Document Delivery service is available to staff and postgraduate students
for the retrieval of any material not held by the University
of Melbourne Libraries and required for purposes directly
related to research at the University.
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Periodical
Literature - Which journal titles are useful?
Specialised journal titles are not always indexed in music or general databases. If you are looking for journal titles which specialise in a particular topic or area of study, the following directories can be helpful in listing them :
- The introductory article Periodicals
- available Grove
Music Online (restricted - University
of Melbourne only)
From the Grove Music home page, choose "Explore"
-> "Research Resources" and then choose Periodicals
from the list. A general account of music periodicals and
their history, followed by a comprehensive list of music
periodicals from 1722 to the present. The list is arranged
by continent and country.
Alternatively, in print :
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
/ 2nd. NewYork: Macmillan, 2001.
UniM Music REF 780.3 NEW v.28. pp.399-"Periodicals"
Look especially at Country lists, v.28 pp.340-479
& Title Index, v.28 pp.480-573
- Fidler, Linda M. and James, Richard S. (eds.). UniM
Music REF 016.7805 INTE
International
Music Journals. New York : Greenwood Press, 1990.
(Historical guides to the world's periodicals and newspapers)
See especially the introduction.
- Fellinger, Imogen UniM Music REF 016.78005 FELL
Verzeichnis
der Musikzeitschriften des 19. Jahrhundert. Regenburg
: Bosse, 1968.
This is a list of 19th century Music periodicals held in
libraries around the world, including Australia. A useful
union list for RIPM holdings (see below).
For early Australian titles, see also:
- Barton, G. B. (George Burnett), 1836-1901.
Literature
in New South Wales.
Sydney : Thomas Richards, Govt. Printer, 1866.
UniM Baill SpC/MCL L/A BART
Contents : Periodical literature. I. Newspapers, p. [17]-67
--II. Magazines, p. 68-88.
Subject : Australian literature -- New South Wales -- Bibliography.
Subject : Australian periodicals -- New South Wales -- Bibliography.
Subject : Australian newspapers -- New South Wales -- Bibliography.
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Refereed
or Non-Refereed?
Refereed journals contain articles which
have been reviewed by experts in the field. This process ensures
that the quality of articles (and research reported) in the
journal is reliable and maintained at a high standard. Refereed
journals are sometimes also referred to as peer reviewed
journals. To check whether a specific journal is
"refereed" check inside the cover of one of the issues in
the section explaining the editorial policy. If you don't
have the journal at hand use Ulrich's International Periodicals
Directory to find out whether it is refereed.
- Ulrich's
International Periodicals Directory (restricted
- University of Melbourne only)
A bibliographic database providing detailed information on
serials, in all subjects, published throughout the world. Includes journals published
regularly or irregularly, circulated free of charge
or by paid subscription. Links are also provided to table
of contents services.
Non-refereed journals employ various methods
to select articles for inclusion. Often the decision rests
with an editor. Articles published in non-refereed journals
are not evaluated as intensely as articles published in refereed
journals. However, non-refereed articles may still be scholarly
in content. When considering the merit of non-refereed articles
you will need to evaluate them yourself - Suggested
Evaluation Criteria
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Who's citing who?
Often when you find a journal article, whether it be refereed
or non-refereed, a number of questions spring to mind:
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