Finding articles in periodicals/journals

(“periodical” and “journal” are used here interchangeably)

(follow this link for information about off-campus access to online resources)

For the best results:
1. repeat your search in each of the indexes;
2. copy down/print/email the citations to the articles you want;
3. look for the journal titles and volumes either in E-Journals or in Socrates, the online catalog.

Alternately, you may search directly in the aggregator databases for full-text articles (if available; keep in mind that only a small fraction of music articles are available in full-text electronic format)

Search for articles in these periodical indexes:

RILM Abstracts of Music Literature (RILM)
Music Index (MI)
International Index to Music Periodicals (IIMP)
and
Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals (RIPM)

RILM, MI, and IIMP each provide a way to search for current periodical articles on music (RIPM indexes periodicals published ca. 1800-ca. 1920). While coverage overlaps to some degree, the majority of current music journals are indexed in only one (and sometimes two) of the databases; for the most thorough results, you are encouraged to conduct your search in each of the three databases.

Each index database has its own strengths. For instance, IIMP and RILM include abstracts of articles, while MI does not. MI and IIMP are generally better in their coverage of popular music, the music business, music education, and performance-related information. RILM tends to be more thorough in indexing scholarly research, and is also broadest in scope of the three, indexing books, dissertations, reports, etc., in addition to articles and reviews. Inclusion of foreign-language journals varies by index, with RILM indexing the greatest number.

RILM Abstracts of Music Literature
online coverage: 1967-present
entries: 300,000+
print coverage: 1967-present (Music Reference ML118 .R574)
types of entries indexed: articles, reviews, books, bibliographies, catalogs, conference proceedings, dissertations, Festschriften, discographies.

Music Index
online coverage: 1979-present
entries: 1,000,000+
print coverage: 1949-present (Music Reference ML113 .M987)
types of entries indexed: articles, obituaries, book and music reviews

International Index to Music Periodicals
online coverage: ca. 1996-present (coverage of some titles spans earlier dates)
entries: 400,000+
print coverage: none
types of entries indexed: articles, obituaries, book and music reviews

Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals
online coverage: late 18th century-early 20th century
entries: 450,000+
print coverage: print volumes treat an entire run of a periodical. The Music Reference Room has approximately 85 volumes (Music Reference ML128 .P24 R4)

Search for articles within available e-journals using an “aggregator” database:

Aggregator databases most useful for music research include:

JSTOR, EBSCO, and LEXIS-NEXIS ACADEMIC

JSTOR
JSTOR’s Music Collection contains the complete back runs of 32 titles dedicated to scholarly research and theory in the field of music. For a quick scan of music titles available and dates of coverage, choose “browse” and look under “music.”

JSTOR is an archival database. It includes full runs of journal titles in full text, but due to publishing restrictions does not include the most recent volumes (the gap generally ranges from 3 to 5 years). You should search for the most current volumes in TDNET, where they may be available from a different source.

EBSCO Host Research Databases
EBSCO presents 15 subject-oriented databases, several of which contain music journal titles and/or general interest titles that include articles on music. Note that some journal titles provide full text while others provide abstracts only. Detailed combination-term searching is possible through the “advanced search” tab. If your search results yield a journal title citation only, you should then search for that journal title in Socrates to find the print version.

LEXIS-NEXIS ACADEMIC
LEXIS-NEXIS ACADEMIC, while not specifically a “music resource,” allows invaluable searching options for full-text newspaper articles, obituaries, concert reviews, etc., in national, international, and regional newspapers. Note that the “Reference” page provides a handy link for searching the fact-filled World Almanac.

Search for journal titles on Stanford's e-journals page:

E-Journals

Search for e-journals by title or by subject (subject=Arts & Humanities; subcategory=Perforing Arts, Travel and Leisure)

[this is a new resource; more information will be posted here soon]

Finally, if you have identified an article in a journal not owned by Stanford University Libraries (either electronically or in print format), you may request a photocopy through Interlibrary Services.

Remember:

Full text online is available for only some journals, and often includes only the more recent volumes. Socrates will list whether a print copy is available. Music e-journals, in particular, are just a small percentage of the music journals available in the Stanford Libraries.

Look for online HELP in each database. Search interfaces vary in design and structure, and while many search terms and strategies are similar, each database is likely to have unique characteristics. Look for “Tips,” “How do I?,” etc. Also, basic and advanced search options are common.

Ask us for help! Visit, call, or email Music Reference if you have questions or would like guidance in using databases, formulating search strategies, or just need some assistance in getting started. Contact information and library hours may be found in the "About the Music Library" section of this site.

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