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