A reference source is a book which refers to brief and specific information or gives a concise introduction to a topic. There are many types of reference sources, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, directories and sources of statistics. Researchers quickly learn to determine a source's purpose, scope and arrangement as well as how to use it most effectively.
The following is an overview of various types of reference sources:
Indexes to Materials in Collections
These are various specialized indexes which are classified as reference books, such as Play Index and Short Story Index.- Sources of Biographical Information
Biographical information can be found in many places. Encyclopedias, yearbooks and directories are particularly useful. There are dictionaries and indexes devoted to information about people. CT is the Library of Congress Classification number for biographical sources. - Almanacs
Almanacs contain a wide variety of brief facts and statistics. Many contain directory and biographical information. Most will give a chronology of major events of the preceding year. Examples are (1) Universal Almanac and (2) World Almanac and Book of Facts. - Directories
Directories include a variety of information about people and organizations, such as names, addresses, history and publications. Examples are (1) Encyclopedia of Associations and (2) American Library Directory. - Sources of Statistical Information
These sources offer a wide range of statistical information such as number of employed persons in the United States, number of households, etc. An example of a source is the Statistical Abstract of the United States. - Atlases
An atlas is a bound set of maps with an index. - General and Subject Encyclopedias
General encyclopedias contain information in articles of varying lengths on subjects in all fields of knowledge. Examples include include (1) World Book Encyclopedia and (2) Academic American Encyclopedia. Subject encyclopedias contain broader information on a particular subject subject and area more detailed and technical than a general encyclopedia. Examples include (1) Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics and (2) Encyclopedia of Black America. - Language and Subject Dictionaries
Language dictionaries include the following: spelling, pronunciation, meaning, abbreviation, slang, etc. In addition to English language, other languages, bilingual (such as Spanish-English) dictionaries, a variety of word books are available, including listings of slang, dialect, etc.
You can use the frame at left to go to any chapter you wish to explore next. The next chapter in order, however, is Chapter Seven -- Critical Thinking and Evaluation of Sources.