Difference Between Book and Periodical Indexes

 Book Index

 1.  Compiled only once and within a relatively short time and usually
performed by a single person.                                    
2. Deals with a more or less well-defined central topic.
3. Indexing terms are almost always derived from
the text.                                                                          
4. Specificity is largely governed by the text itself.                                                                                                                                                      
5. Every single page of a book must be read.           
6. Always bound with the indexed text.                    
                  
                                                                                      
Periodical Indexes

1.  A continuous process and more often performed by a team of
indexers and lasting for  an extended period..
2.  Deals with a great variety of topics.
3.  Terminology must be consistent and derived from a controlled vocabulary.
4.  Terms are prescribed by a controlled vocabulary  and their level of specificity may be lower than the book index
5. Articles are scanned for indexable items and may rely on an abstract or summary compiled.
6. A periodical index will depend on a number of policy decisions.
7. Compiled separately.