Understanding Reference Sources |
#1 |
Name both types of reference sources and their characteristics. |
General and subject specific |
#2 |
When should you consult a reference source? |
When you begin research |
#3 |
Some ways to determine what the scope of coverage is for a reference source |
Title of the work, information in the introduction, preface or table of contents, and the index |
#4 |
Ways that information in a reference book can be organized |
Alphabetically, topically, chronologically |
#5 |
|
|
Types of Reference Sources |
#1 |
Defines words and terms; confirms spelling, definition, and pronounciation |
Dictionary |
#2 |
A book of maps or geographical information |
Atlas |
#3 |
Covers knowledge, or branches of knowledge in a comprehensive, but summary fashion, useful for providing facts and giving a broad survey of a topic |
Encyclopedia |
#4 |
Lists citations to peridoical articles, books, and proceedings, and tells where they can be found |
Index |
#5 |
|
|
Finding Reference Sources |
#1 |
Go to this online database to find reference books |
Gale Virtual Reference Library |
#2 |
Where can I find reference books and how are they arranged? |
On the library book shelves and by topic |
#3 |
When should you use the online library catalog to find a reference book? |
When you know the title or to find tiles by subject |
#4 |
Three ways to find reference books |
Library online catalog, browsing reference shelves, using electronic reference sources, ask a reference librarian for assistance |
#5 |
|
|
Evaluating Reference Sources |
#1 |
What should I check to see if a book is current? |
Date of publication, whether the information is up to date and includes recent discoveries |
#2 |
What should I check to see if the book's author is authoritative? |
Author's education, training, experience and knowledge of field in biographical information |
#3 |
How should I check the reputation of the publisher? |
Check the reputation of the publisher and its specializiation by visiting its web site and check other works published by them. Also check to see if the publisher is a university press. |
#4 |
What should you consider for a book's reliability? |
Objectivity or bias on topic, language, and whether it is based on in-depth research |
#5 |
|
|