INDEXES TO THE TIMES

The indexes to The Times of London are unique in providing access to an unbroken record of events as recorded by one of the world's most prestigious newspapers over a period of two hundred years. They are, therefore, an important tool for the researcher, yet there has been little comment on their quality. This study provides an introductory comparative analysis of the two main indexes: Palmer's Index to the Times Newspaper and The Times Index. The two are evaluated according to selected criteria of good indexing such as consistency, concept versus keyword approach, and the use of subject headings and cross references. Samples from both the newspaper and the indexes have been taken over fifty‐year intervals to determine whether there have been any changes in indexing techniques over time. The findings reveal the superior qualities of The Times Index and outline the problems that the researcher may encounter in using Palmer's.