Tara Guthrie, 2010 Using Print Reference Sources for Research

Tara Guthrie, 2010Tara Guthrie, 2010

Using Print Reference Using Print Reference Sources for ResearchSources for Research


What are reference books?What are reference books? Books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, Books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias,

handbooks, and directories that are often handbooks, and directories that are often used to answer quick questions or provide used to answer quick questions or provide background information about a topic before background information about a topic before pursuing more detailed research. pursuing more detailed research. This is This is especially helpful when you begin especially helpful when you begin researching a topic you know little about.researching a topic you know little about.

A volume that contains facts, statistics, A volume that contains facts, statistics, biographical information, or other such biographical information, or other such information. Or, it may also be used to information. Or, it may also be used to find find information in other sources.information in other sources.


What are reference books? What are reference books? (continued)(continued)

Books in which the content is Books in which the content is organized organized alphabeticallyalphabetically so that you can look up the so that you can look up the exact part of the information that you need.exact part of the information that you need.

A book meant to be A book meant to be used for specific pieces of used for specific pieces of informationinformation rather than to be read straight rather than to be read straight through like a novel. You simply “refer” to through like a novel. You simply “refer” to them when you need quick, basic information. them when you need quick, basic information.

Reference books are Reference books are used in the library onlyused in the library only and are not checked out due to their high and are not checked out due to their high demand. They are also shelved separately demand. They are also shelved separately from the rest of the book collection.from the rest of the book collection.


Why use reference books?Why use reference books? Not all information found on the Internet is Not all information found on the Internet is

reliable or correct.reliable or correct. Not all online databases will always have Not all online databases will always have

the type of information you may need.the type of information you may need. Reference books have been written and Reference books have been written and

researched by scholars and professionals researched by scholars and professionals who have a thorough knowledge of the who have a thorough knowledge of the topic.topic.

Reference books are reviewed and edited Reference books are reviewed and edited by other scholars and professionals before by other scholars and professionals before they are published to ensure that the they are published to ensure that the information is accurate.information is accurate.


Types of Reference BooksTypes of Reference Books


IndexIndex An index An index points the way to other materialspoints the way to other materials

by giving a citation to periodical articles, by giving a citation to periodical articles, books, or other information sources.books, or other information sources.

Many print indices now exist as online Many print indices now exist as online databases. (Example: Library Catalog)databases. (Example: Library Catalog)

An index can be a volume unto itself, or it An index can be a volume unto itself, or it can be a section in the back of a book that can be a section in the back of a book that leads you to information within that book.leads you to information within that book.

Many encyclopedias or other multi-volume Many encyclopedias or other multi-volume reference books have an index volume for reference books have an index volume for the whole set as the last volume in the set.the whole set as the last volume in the set.


Index Example:Index Example:


EncyclopediaEncyclopedia Provides background informationProvides background information on on

topics, subjects, people, places, etc.topics, subjects, people, places, etc. May be general or subject-specific.May be general or subject-specific. Main entries are alphabetical, but the Main entries are alphabetical, but the

index is the most effective way to access index is the most effective way to access the information.the information.

Encyclopedias are ideal reference tools to Encyclopedias are ideal reference tools to begin your researchbegin your research since they contain since they contain articles on thousands of topics, articles on thousands of topics, explanatory material, and data on people, explanatory material, and data on people, places, and historical events.places, and historical events.

Encyclopedias also include information on Encyclopedias also include information on historical topics, which can be difficult to historical topics, which can be difficult to find in many online resources.find in many online resources.


Encyclopedia Example:Encyclopedia Example:


Subject EncyclopediaSubject Encyclopedia

Subject encyclopedias are like general Subject encyclopedias are like general encyclopedias, only the encyclopedias, only the articles focus on a articles focus on a specific topic, field or subject area.specific topic, field or subject area.

Subject encyclopedias can be a single Subject encyclopedias can be a single volume or a multi-volume set.volume or a multi-volume set.

There are literally thousands of subject There are literally thousands of subject encyclopedias available.encyclopedias available.

Many subject and general encyclopedias Many subject and general encyclopedias are also available as online databases.are also available as online databases.


Subject Encyclopedia Examples:Subject Encyclopedia Examples:


DictionaryDictionary DictionariesDictionaries define words and terms; define words and terms;

confirm spelling, definition, and confirm spelling, definition, and pronunciation; are used to find out how pronunciation; are used to find out how words are used; help to locate synonyms words are used; help to locate synonyms and antonyms, and to trace word origins.and antonyms, and to trace word origins.

Subject dictionariesSubject dictionaries define specialized or define specialized or technical language in a given field.technical language in a given field.

Special purpose dictionariesSpecial purpose dictionaries treat special treat special categories of words such as slang or categories of words such as slang or synonyms.synonyms.

Language dictionariesLanguage dictionaries give equivalent give equivalent words and word usage in other languages.words and word usage in other languages.


Dictionary Examples:Dictionary Examples:


More Dictionary Examples:More Dictionary Examples:


Biographical SourcesBiographical Sources

Contains Contains articles about the lives and articles about the lives and works of various people. works of various people.

A A biographical biographical dictionarydictionary will have will have shortshort entries about people. entries about people.

A A biographical biographical encyclopediaencyclopedia will have will have longerlonger articles about people. articles about people.

Biographical sources may be broad Biographical sources may be broad or narrow in their focus.or narrow in their focus.


Biographical Source Example:Biographical Source Example:


AtlasAtlas

An atlas An atlas contains maps,contains maps, charts, or charts, or illustrations of a geographical area or illustrations of a geographical area or subject.subject.

Atlases may contain accompanying Atlases may contain accompanying text and are usually related in text and are usually related in subject or theme.subject or theme.


Atlas Examples:Atlas Examples:


GazetteerGazetteer

A A dictionary of geographical places.dictionary of geographical places. It does It does NOTNOT include maps. include maps.

A gazetteer gives information about A gazetteer gives information about places and geographical data.places and geographical data.

Use it to find information on cities, Use it to find information on cities, states, countries, mountains, lakes, states, countries, mountains, lakes, rivers, etc.rivers, etc.

Example: How tall is Mt. Everest?Example: How tall is Mt. Everest?


Gazetteer Example:Gazetteer Example:


GuidebookGuidebook

Provide detailed descriptions of Provide detailed descriptions of places.places.

Intended for travelers.Intended for travelers. Contains geographical facts plus Contains geographical facts plus

maps.maps. May contain special points of interest May contain special points of interest

for travelers.for travelers.


Guidebook Example:Guidebook Example:


DirectoryDirectory

ListsLists names, addresses, and phone names, addresses, and phone numbers of people, companies, numbers of people, companies, organizations, and institutions.organizations, and institutions.

There is usually a common theme.There is usually a common theme. It must be current to be useful as this It must be current to be useful as this

type of information can go out of type of information can go out of date quickly.date quickly.

Example: a phone book/directoryExample: a phone book/directory


Directory Examples:Directory Examples:


ChronologyChronology

A chronology A chronology lists the eventslists the events described described in order of the date on in order of the date on which they occurred.which they occurred.

A chronology helps to place people, A chronology helps to place people, events, organizations, etc., in events, organizations, etc., in context.context.

Example: What else happened in Example: What else happened in America during the Vietnam War?America during the Vietnam War?


Chronology Example:Chronology Example:


AlmanacAlmanac

An almanac is An almanac is a collection of facts a collection of facts and statistics,and statistics, usually published in usually published in one volume, and usually published one volume, and usually published yearly.yearly.

Can be current or retrospective and Can be current or retrospective and are often in table format. are often in table format.

Can be general or subject-specific.Can be general or subject-specific. Example: Who won the Super Bowl Example: Who won the Super Bowl

for the last 5 years?for the last 5 years?


Almanac Example:Almanac Example:


HandbookHandbook

HandbooksHandbooks treat one broad subject treat one broad subject briefly, or gives a brief survey of a briefly, or gives a brief survey of a subject. subject.

These are also referred to as These are also referred to as companions or compendiums.companions or compendiums.

Handbooks are often written for Handbooks are often written for practitioners, so they may be practitioners, so they may be compact in size for ease of use.compact in size for ease of use.


Handbook Example:Handbook Example:


ManualManual

ManualsManuals tell how to do something or tell how to do something or how something operates. how something operates.

You usually receive a manual on how You usually receive a manual on how something works when you purchase something works when you purchase a new item such as a cell phone, a a new item such as a cell phone, a DVD player, computer software, etc.DVD player, computer software, etc.


Manual Example:Manual Example:


Don’t forget!Don’t forget!

There are many more types of There are many more types of reference sources that serve various reference sources that serve various purposes. purposes.

A librarian can help you find just the A librarian can help you find just the right reference book for your quick, right reference book for your quick, specific, or background specific, or background information needs.information needs.

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Tara Guthrie, 2010 Using Print Reference Sources for Research