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Reference Sources
Reference
sources usually contain short, factual information. They can be used to
provide background information on an unfamiliar topic or
to find a specific fact to support an argument. A good way to begin your
research is to locate and read short articles that will give you a broad
overview of a topic. You can find these articles in a variety
of reference materials. In addition, these resources often provide bibliographies--lists
of books and articles that will allow you to discover what else is available
on a subject.
There are many
different types and formats of reference sources available (see below).
Many reference sources have online counterparts, such as the Britannica
Online or the World Almanac and Book of Facts.
General Encyclopedias
An encyclopedia is a work that contains information on all branches of
knowledge. Since they are designed to cover all branches of knowledge,
general encyclopedias are likely to have some information on every topic.
They are often good sources to consult first, since they introduce the
main concepts about a subject and suggest other sources that may be helpful.
Examples: Encyclopedia Britannica (Also available online).
Specialized or Subject-specific Encyclopedias
Specialized encyclopedias provide more
detailed articles written by experts in a field. There are hundreds
of specialized encyclopedias. Bibliographies in these sources tend
to be more comprehensive than bibliographies in general encyclopedias.
Examples: Encyclopedia of Psychology, Foods & Nutrition Encyclopedia,
Encyclopedia of Educational Research |
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Almanacs
Almanacs are filled with up-to-date answers to all kinds of questions.
Whether you are looking for basic statistics on state funding of welfare
programs or recent winners of the Stanley Cup, you are likely to find
the information in an almanac. They provide figures, charts, tables, and
statistics.
Examples: World Almanac and Book of Facts (Also available on Lexis-Nexis)
Handbooks
Handbooks supply concise factual information like charts, formulas,
tables, statistical data, and historical background. Because they are
updated frequently, handbooks include information about new developments.
References to additional information are usually included.
Examples: Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements,
Statistical Handbook on the World's Children
Dictionaries (General and Specialized)
A dictionary lists words alphabetically with information about pronunciation
and definitions. A dictionary may be general or subject specific/specialized.
Technical and discipline-specific definitions not listed in general dictionaries
may be available in subject-specific dictionaries. Definitions in these
types of dictionaries are usually more detailed than those found in standard
dictionaries; many subject-specific dictionaries resemble encyclopedias
more than traditional dictionaries. Illustrations and bibliographic references
are common.
Examples: Abbreviations Dictionary (General), Dictionary of Microbiology
and Molecular Biology (specialized)
Thesaurus
A thesaurus is a list of words with similar meanings (synonyms). A thesaurus
may be general (eg. Roget's Thesaurus) or subject specific. They are useful
for finding additional keywords for assignment topics and for searching
databases.
Examples: Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, Roget's thesaurus
of the Bible
Statistics Sources
Statistics are collections of data gathered on specific areas. They are
useful for the analysis and interpretation of events, situations and trends
(e.g. unemployment figures, imports, exports and population). Statistics
may be used to support theories and arguments.
Examples: Statistical Abstract of the United States, Vital Statistics
on the Presidency : Washington to Clinton
Biographical Sources
Sometimes you may want to learn something about a person without having
to read a full-length biography. Biographical reference works provide
relatively brief articles about thousands of people. You can always expect
to find something about the most famous people. It should also be possible
to find something about fairly obscure people.
Examples: Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, Who's Who in
America.
Directories
Directories provide information on locating people, businesses, organizations
and agencies.
Examples: World of Learning, Encyclopedia of Associations : Regional,
State, and Local Organizations
Reviews and Critical Summaries
Reviews and critical summaries evaluate the quality or value of literature,
film, theater and other creative works. To locate a review for a written
work, the author, title and publication date of the work are needed. Some
sources excerpt or compile reviews or provide additional criticism or
background information. More details on finding
reviews and criticism.
Examples: Contemporary Literary Criticism (CLC), Poetry Criticism,
Drama Criticism
Be sure to ask
a librarian if you need help locating a reference source.
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