2-Special_Reference_Sources_by_Amjid_Khan.ppt
- 1. Reference Sources Amjid Khan Lecturer, LIS Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad
- 2. What is a reference source? A reference source is an information source that’s designed to be referred to for pieces of information, rather than read cover to cover. Available in print and electronically
- 3. They provide… brief factual and statistical information introductions and overviews of a subject area answers to frequently asked questions pathways and guides to other sources of information
- 4. Types of Special Reference Sources Encyclopedias Dictionaries Handbooks Almanacs Biographical Sources Atlases Chronologies Directories Thesaurus
- 5. Encyclopedias A book or set of books of information articles usually arranged in alphabetical order that provide background discussion and give a general overview of a subject. General Encyclopedia Brittanica World Book Subject specific (many available online) Encyclopedia of Religion Encyclopedia of Science & Technology Encyclopedia of Sociology
- 6. Almanacs Almanacs are usually annuals and provide a collection of facts, data, charts, lists, and statistics. Broad range of information General (Book of Facts ) Specialized (The Almanac of Higher Education) Use table of contents or index to find category
- 7. Almanacs brief historical information which may not be found as readily in any other source emphasis on recent and current information lists (sports, major world battles or disasters, prize winners, etc.), statistics (many from official government and other reputable sources) some of the information is standard and relatively unchanging, and some requires annual revision
- 8. Almanacs standard almanac offers concise synopses for: events (chronology of previous year, itemized major recent news, political happenings) people (obituary list of leading figures in all fields, identification of leading personalities across various disciplines) major developments (breakthroughs and advances in science, technology, medicine and politics) national queries and countries (information on the nation as a whole plus an outline of other countreis) directory queries (addresses, titles, and sometimes names in government, corporations are provided especially for places such as govt departments commonly requested)
- 9. Almanacs standard almanac offers concise synopses for: statistics (in lists or tables; bulk of an almanac’s or abstract’s information) on sports (important sports records and their holders, trophies and winners), on awards and prizes (little information about the award or prize itself, but holders or winners are identified), other tabular information (any topic imaginable in a rank or chronology from history, space exploration, disasters, big companies, best selling music, most expensive movies, etc.) national statistics (any census-type information, socioeconomic, political, etc.)
- 10. Gazetteers A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory used in conjunction with a map. Information about countries Arranged by country name Gives: Population Literacy rate Industry Religion Trade Etc.
- 11. Atlases Books of maps General Road atlas Atlas of the world Specific Atlas of trade
- 12. Handbooks Collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference Subject specific compendia of information Place to find picky little details Wire sizes Melting points Tensile strengths
- 13. Dictionaries Lists of terms with definitions General Subject specific Often similar to encyclopedias
- 14. Directories General Phone book Specific
- 16. ???