basic reference sources script library instruction lovejoy library southern illinois university...

Basic Reference Sources Script

Library InstructionLovejoy Library

Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleRevised 09/07

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Types of Research Questions

• Quick-answer

• In-depth

Quick-Answer Research Questions

• Who won the 1955 World Series?

What day did Apollo 11 land on the moon?

What is a parable?

The Brooklyn Dodgers SOURCE: Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball

July 20th, 1969 SOURCE: Chronology of World History

A short and simple story containing a moral. SOURCE: Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory

In-Depth Research Questions

• What are the treatments for schizophrenia?

• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?

• What changes occur in plants during photosynthesis?

• What are the major themes of The Great Gatsby?

Location of Reference Sources

• Reference Collection

• Ready Reference

• Copiers

Characteristics of Reference Sources

• Frequently updated

• Provide information in a concise manner

• Cannot be checked out of the library

Determining the Scope of Reference Sources

• Examine the table of contents

• Examine the index

• Check the publication date

Important Features of Reference Sources

• Bibliographies –

a list of articles and/or books that appear at the end of an entry and indicate material the author has utilized or recommends for additional research.

Important Features of Reference Sources

Signed Articles are written by experts in the respective fields and indicate the authoritativeness of the information in the reference source.

Types of Reference Sources

• Dictionaries

• Encyclopedias

• Almanacs and Yearbooks

Dictionaries

• Dictionaries -list the words of a particular language with the correct:

• spelling

• definition

• pronunciation• grammatical usage

Types of DictionariesGeneralSpecific Subject

Dictionaries (General)

• Abridged Dictionaries –

list only a selection of words in a particular language.

• Unabridged Dictionaries – attempt to include all of the words in a particular language and often provide extensive information for each entry.

Abridged Dictionaries

• Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary- an abridged dictionary that includes the definitions, etymology, pronunciations, usage dates and notes, and cross-references for over 75,000 words.

(Webster’s is also available in an electronic format)

Unabridged Dictionaries

• Oxford English Dictionary (OED) –

an unabridged dictionary that is the accepted authority on the English language and an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, usage, and pronunciation of millions of words, taken from both the present and past.

(The OED is also available in an electronic format)

Other Categories of Dictionaries

• Specialized Dictionaries - approach the study of words from a different perspective or examine special categories of words.

Subject Dictionaries - are devoted to a specific field and provide definitions for terms and subjects associated with that field.

Specialized Dictionaries

• Bartlett’s Roget’s Thesaurus – A thesaurus is a specialized dictionary that organizes words and concepts thematically. For each word contained in a thesaurus, a list of words with similar or opposite meanings has also been provided.

Subject Dictionaries

• Twentieth-Century Literary Movements Dictionary – a subject dictionary that provides definitions for and examples of over 500 different 20th century literary movements and schools and identifies individuals associated with each school.

Encyclopedias

• Encyclopedias –

• attempt to cover knowledge in a comprehensive manner.

• provide general facts and an overview of a topic or subject.

• contain articles written by specialists in their fields.

• include bibliographies and illustrations with some entries.

Types of Encyclopedias

GeneralSubject

Encyclopedias (General)

• Encyclopædia Britannica - a general encyclopedia considered to be one of the most comprehensive and respected reference products available.

(Britannica is also available in an electronic format)

Subject Encyclopedias

• Encyclopedia of Precolonial Africa –

a subject encyclopedia containing articles that provide information on all aspects of precolonial Africa. Each article is signed and includes a bibliography of additional reference material.

Almanacs and Yearbooks

• Provide information in a concise form

• Provide statistical information

• Provide coverage of events of the previous year

Almanacs and Yearbooks

• Yearbook – report of statistics or facts published on a yearly basis

Almanac – annual publication containing statistics and information about the events of the previous year.

Almanacs

• World Almanac (and Book of Facts)– contains statistics and information about various nations around the world.

(World Almanac is also available in an electronic format)

Yearbooks

• Statistical Abstract of the United States– contains thousands of statistical tables for the United States covering a variety of social and economic subjects.

(Statistical Abstract is also available in an electronic format)

Conclusion

• Ask if students they have any questions.

• Encourage them to feel comfortable asking for assistance either at the Information Desk, contacting the Instruction Office, or via our Ask a Librarian service if they are having difficulties.

• Reassure them everyone is willing to assist them!