Reference Sources
Reference Sources serve a variety of purposes. They can provide:
- background or introductory information on a topic
- ways of finding materials on a topic
- statistical or tabular data as well as technical instruction
Imagine that your instructor has assigned an in-depth research paper on space station technology, and your own knowledge of this topic is limited. |
Here are some of the reference sources you might consult:
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Be aware that the information in these reference sources may overlap, or the titles may be misleading
Similarly, other reference sources such as directories may also be called encyclopedias or handbooks, for instance, The Encyclopedia of Associations is really a directory of associations.
Finally, be aware that some sources may include more than one kind of reference information: definitions (dictionary information), background information (encyclopedia information), and lists of addresses and telephone numbers (directory information) may all be contained in one publication.
All types of reference sources can be found in the Library's InvestiGator catalog, from which you can request books to be delivered to HSS 101. And a small collection of reference books is available for immediate use in Library Annex I during the day.