Page 57 - DLIS105_REFERENCE_SOURCES_AND_SERVICES

Reference Sources and Services Reena Kapoor, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 5: Reference Sources

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction

5.1 Types of Reference Sources

5.2 Service Procurement in Libraries
5.3 Criteria for Evaluation of Reference

5.4 Bibliographical Sources
5.5 Summary

5.6 Keywords
5.7 Review Questions

5.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Define types of reference sources
• Explain criteria for evaluation of reference
• Know about bibliographical sources.

Introduction

Primary sources were either created during the time period being studied or were created at a later
date by a participant in the events being studied (as in the case of memoirs). They reflect the individual
viewpoint of a participant or observer. Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible
to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. A secondary source is a work
that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at least one step removed
from the event and is often-based on primary sources. Examples include scholarly or popular books
and articles, reference books and textbooks.

5.1 Types of Reference Sources

Reference sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, etc. are research tools that
can help you with your paper or project. Reference sources provide answers to specific questions,
such as brief facts, statistics, and technical instructions; provide background information, or direct

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