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Types of Tertiary Sources
- Indexes
- Abstracts
- Databases
When to Use Tertiary Sources
- Indexes provide a starting point for finding journal articles
- Journal articles are not listed in library catalogues, like books
- It is often difficult to find the specific information you require in a specific journal on a specific topic
- Indexes will assist you in this task
- Abstracting publications are indexes, but also contain small summaries or précis of the articles
- These summaries or abstracts clarify the content of the article that is indexed
- They are able to help you decide whether or not the content of the article may be useful
- Databases are the electronic versions of indexes and abstracting publications
- They are particularly useful if you are looking for information on two or more aspects of a topic, eg. malaria, and prophylactics
- Health Sciences databases often contain added-value material, eg. dictionaries, quizzes, encyclopaedias, illustrations, etc.
- MedlinePlus is an excellent source of basic information for medical and all health sciences students
