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FAQ
IndexCat -- Two Forms of Author Names

Question:  Why are there two forms of author entries in IndexCat?
Answer:

There are two forms because IndexCat includes both book and journal literature. The Library applied a long form of name, when available, (last name, first name, initials, date) to books and other monographs. This is consistent with current cataloging policy for LocatorPlus. Journal articles and other analytic materials contain the short name form (last name, initials). This is similar but not identical to shortened names in MEDLINE. IndexCat currently contains punctuation and spaces between each initial. MEDLINE does not.

Book example:
IndexCat: Hunter, John, 1728-1793.
LocatorPlus: Hunter, John, 1728-1793.

Journal example:
IndexCat: Smith, R. W.
MEDLINE: Smith RW

IndexCat searches require spaces between initials.

Search IndexCat for Smith, R. W. as: "Smith R W" in Quick Search – using double quotes and spaces between initials in Quick search.

Use Advanced Search, to narrow search to Authors only. Select 'As a Phrase' or 'All of These'.

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/icauthorforms.html

Last reviewed: 28 January 2008
Last updated: 28 January 2008
First published: 14 March 2005
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed