This guide introduces you to the Engineering Index both in print and online.
IS2504 Page 1 of 3
September 2004
1.What is the Engineering Index?
The Engineering Index is a comprehensive index to technological literature covering all engineering disciplines. It indexes and abstracts literature published worldwide including, journal articles, technical reports and conference proceedings.
2.Where can I find the Engineering Index?
- 1884 – 1927
Available on microform. Located on the first floor in the Pure Sciences Division. - 1928 – 1995
Available in printed form. Located in the store. - 1970 onwards
Available online as Ei Compendex.
Ei Compendex is hosted by the Engineering Village 2 service. To access it you must register for an Athens password Students can obtain an Athens password via the Register yourself icon on an ISCRA computer.
If in doubt, please ask at the top floor Service Point.
3.How do I search the Engineering Index in print?
The easiest way is to use the author and subject indexes. These are available as detailed below:
- Annual Indexes:
1928 to 1977
1988 to 1995 - Cumulative Indexes:
1973 to 1987
The cumulative indexes allow you to search several years at one time, making your searches quicker and easier. They cover the following periods:
- 1973 to 1977
- 1978 to 1981
- 1982 to 1984
- 1985 to 1987
4.How do I search the subject indexes?
The subject indexes are arranged alphabetically by specific subject headings. A complete list of subject headings used in the Engineering Index is available in SHE (Subject Headings for Engineering). Issues of SHE are shelved at the end of the Engineering Index.
Firstly, find your subject heading in an annual or cumulative subject index. The cumulative indexes also include sub-headings. The following details will be provided:
In an annual index:
Titles of relevant papers, annual and monthly abstract numbers.
E.g.:Acoustic devices (Subject heading)
Acoustic wave biosensors (Title)
A014558 (Annual abstract number)
M001152 (Monthly abstract number)
In a cumulative index:
Titles of relevant papers, the years of publication and abstract numbers.
E.g.: Acoustic devices (Subject heading)
Development of acoustic radar technique (Title)
86-000963 (Year-Abstract number)
Once you have identified relevant titles from the subject indexes you need to locate their full details.
To do this:
If you have used an annual index:
Use the annual abstract number to identify the appropriate abstract volume for that year. Look up the abstract number. You will be provided with the title of the paper, an abstract (a brief summary of the paper), author details and source of reference.
E.g.:000963(Abstract number)
Development of acoustic radar technique(Title)
The design and operation of … (Abstract)
Raghu Kumor, A. (Oil and Natural Gas Commission,Calcutta, India) (Author and Institution)
IETE Tech Rev, v. 2, n. 9(Journal title, volume and part number)
Sep 1985, p.295-301(Year and page numbers)
If you have used a cumulative index:
Using the year and abstract number given, identify the appropriate abstract volume for that year. Look up the abstract number. You will be provided with the title of the paper, an abstract (a brief summary of the paper), author details and source of reference. See previous example.
Alternatively, you can go straight to the abstract volumes for any year and look up your subject heading. However, if you do this you may miss relevant papers that would have been listed in the subject indexes.
5.How do I search the author indexes?
The author indexes are arranged alphabetically by author surnames. Each author index also contains a list of acronyms, initials and abbreviations.
Firstly, find your author’s surname in an annual or cumulative author index. The following details will be provided:
In an annual index:
Relevant abstract numbers.
E.g.:Goldman, M.V. (Author)
0161917 (Abstract number)
In a cumulative index:
Other author details, titles of relevant papers, the years of publication and abstract numbers.
E.g.:Hanes, Daniel M. (Author)
Inman, Douglas L. (Other author names)
Observations of rapidly flowing granular-fluid materials (Title)
85-044374 (Year-Abstract number)
Once you have identified relevant abstract numbers or titles from the author indexes you need to locate their full details. To do this:
If you have used an annual index:
Use the abstract number to identify the appropriate abstract volume for that year. Look up the abstract number. You will be provided with the title of the paper, an abstract (a brief summary of the paper), author details and source of reference.
E.g.:044374 (Abstract number)
Observations of rapidly flowing granular-fluid materials (Title)
The rapid shearing of a mixture of … (Abstract)
Hanes, Daniel M. (Univ of California, San Diego, Centre for Coastal Studies, CA, USA) (Author and Institution)
Inman, Douglas L. (Other author names)
J. Fluid Mech, v. 150 (Journal title and volume number)
Jan 1985, p.357-380 (Year and page numbers)
If you have used a cumulative index:
Using the year and abstract number given, identify the appropriate abstract volume for that year. Look up the abstract number. You will be provided with the title of the paper, an abstract (a brief summary of the paper), author details and source of reference. See previous example.
6.Are there any other printed indexes available?
PIE Index (Publications Indexed for Engineering)
A listing of all the material covered each year may be found in this Index.
Author Affiliation Index
This allows you to search for an organisation source by year. The names of organisations and their locations are listed in alphabetical order followed by the abstract number for that year.
SHE Index (Subject Headings for Engineering)
A complete list of subject headings used in the Index.
7.How do I search the Engineering Index online?
The electronic version of the Engineering Index is called Ei Compendex. You can gain access to it by going to the Information Services web pages at and selecting Information Gateway followed by eLibrary Gateway. To search Ei Compendex you will need to register for an Athens password. Students can obtain an Athens password via the Register yourself icon on an ISCRA computer. If in doubt, please ask at the top floor Service Point.
Help and guidance for searching
Ei Compendex is given online.
IS2504 Page 1 of 3
September 2004