Introduction to Research
and the Reference Section
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
In this unit, we will learn about:
The Purpose of Research
Start with Keywords
The Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
The Dictionary
The Atlas
The Almanac
The Thesaurus
Evaluating Non-Fiction Books as Research Tools
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Purpose of Research
Scientists, governments, companies, and many more have been
doing research for thousands of years to learn more about the world around them. Research has provided us with cures for diseases, incredible technology, tasty new recipes, and helpful government programs.
Research tools include:
Reference Books Internet
Censuses Interviews
Charts, Graphs, Diagrams
In short, research is exploration for information.
Maps Surveys
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Start with Keywords
When you begin your research, the first step is to establish keywords. You can use your keywords to find information in databases,
electronic card catalogs (OPAC), and internet search engines.
•Start with the subject you want to learn more about: “Bears”
•Determine what it is you want to learn about that subject: “Habitats, Species, Diets, Characteristics”
•To begin searching, determine the source you are going to seek the information in.
•For books, encyclopedias, use the keywords: Bear, non-fiction. •For internet, databases, use keywords: bears + habitats
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Reference Section
The reference section is Research Central in the library. It contains many types of books full of factual information. The books found in the reference section include:
Encyclopedias Dictionaries Atlases
Almanacs Thesauri
While the reference section is a physical part of each library, it also has counterparts on-line. Most libraries also have computers
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
The encyclopedia is a book with information on various topics listed in alphabetical order. There are thousands of varieties of
encyclopedias, but they all fall into one of these four categories:
•Mulit-Volumed Cross-Categorical Text i.e. WorldBook
-Books that contain limited information on thousands of topics
• Themed Text i.e. The Encyclopedia of Dogs
-Books that contain more detailed information on terms related to a specific theme
• CD-Rom i.e. Encarta
-A computer application that can be contain either cross-categorical or themed information
• Online i.e.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
Information in an encyclopedia is listed in alphabetical order. The top outside corner of each page can have either a single or a pair of guide words to help you find your topic.
For online or computer run encyclopedias, you only need to enter a key word into search engine and the computer will locate the
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
While encyclopedias are great reference tools, there are pros and cons to using them, depending on the research you do.
Pros:
Encyclopedias are easy to use.
Encyclopedias have a wide variety of information. Encyclopedias are quality expository text
Cons:
Encyclopedias are very expensive to purchase.
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
Name and page of animal entry
Name and page of location entry
Name and page of person entry
Name and page of event entry
Name and page of other entry
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Dictionary
The dictionary is a book with definitions of words listed in
alphabetical order. There are hundreds of varieties of dictionaries, but they all fall into one of these four categories:
•Classic Dictionary i.e. Webster’s Unabridged
-Basic dictionary containing definitions of words.
• Language Dictionary i.e. Spanish/English Dictionary
-Book that contains words in alphabetical order that lists the translation of the word into another language instead of a regular definition.
• Application i.e. Dictionary Widget
-A computer application that can provide definitions. Can be independent application or part of word processor.
• Online i.e.
http://www.dictionary.com/
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Dictionary
Definitions in an dictionary is listed in alphabetical order. The top outside corner of each page can have either a single or a pair of guide words to help you find your topic.
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Dictionary
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Dictionary
Guide words and page for “
donkey
”
Guide words and page for “
gentle
”
Guide words and page for “
live
”
Guide words and page for “
nurse
”
Guide words and page for “
reach
”
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Thesaurus
The thesaurus is a relative of the dictionary. Instead of listing
definitions, a thesaurus lists synonyms and antonyms. This is a very valuable tool for writers. All thesauri are pretty much the same, but they can come in a couple of different forms.
• Classic Thesaurus i.e. Roget’s Pocket Thesaurus
-Book that lists a words in alphabetical order with their synonyms and a couple of antonyms.
• Thesaurus Application i.e. Thesaurus Widget
-A simple computer application that can stand alone or as a tool in a word processing program.
• Online i.e.
http://www.visuwords.com
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Thesaurus
Entries in a thesaurus are listed in alphabetical order. The top
outside corner of each page can have either a single or a pair of guide words to help you find your topic.
For online or computer run thesauri, you only need to enter a key word into search engine and the computer will provide the
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Thesaurus
Thesauri provide not only a list of synonyms, but also provide an
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Thesaurus
Synonym for “
cold
”
Synonym for “
finish
”
Synonym for “
hurry
”
Synonym for “
move
”
Synonym for “
speak
”
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Atlas
The atlas is a book with maps that display physical, topographical and political features of particular areas There are many varieties of atlases, but they all fall into one of these four categories:
•Classic Atlas i.e. World Atlas
-Basic atlas that shows maps of a particular area or the whole world.
• Road/Street Atlas i.e. State Farm 2009 Road Atlas
-Book that contains specifically road maps for traveling.
• 3 Dimensional i.e. Globe
-A 3-D representation of a specific area.
• Online i.e.
http://www.scribblemaps.com
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Atlas
Maps in an atlas are listed in alphabetical order by the name of the area. They are also listed in an index at the back of the atlas for quicker searching. The top outside corner of each page can have either a single guide word to help you find the map you need.
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Atlas
Atlases provide visual representations of land in their basic forms. However, they also provide topographical, physical, and political features such as rivers, mountains, and borders.
As road construction, natural disasters, and wars change the
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Atlas
Page and state of “
St. Paul
”
Page and city in “
Montana
”
Page and state north of “
Oregon
”
Page and state south of “
Oklahoma
”
Page and state east of “
Ohio
”
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Almanac
The first almanacs were simple calendars that listed astronomical information. Later they provided weather predictions for the
upcoming year. In current times, they have become compendiums of statistical information collected for a particular year. These are a few different types of almanac:
• Cross-Categorical Almanac i.e. World Almanac 2005
-Book that lists a wide variety of facts and statistics prudent in a particular year.
• Themed Almanac i.e. White Tail Hunter’s Almanac
-Book that containing facts and statistics for a particular year on a particular theme.
• Online i.e.
http://www.farmersalmanac.com
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Almanac
Almanacs are organized by topic, not necessarily alphabetical. To find specific information, start with either the Table of Contents at the beginning or the index at the back.
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Almanac
Almanacs provide information usually in chart or table form. They
can include pictures with captions as well. They are definitely quality expository text.
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
The Almanac
Page and date of full moon in March
Page and capital of Maine
Page and US President in 1995
Page and fact
Page and fact
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating Non-Fiction Books as Research Tools
There are hundreds of non-fiction books available on any topic you may want to research. However, not all of them are quality research tools. Some may only provide simple, vague information or may
actually contain biased information that may not be totally accurate. It is essential that you evaluate the quality of a non-fiction book
before using it as a research tool.
Check the date of book – if it is old, the information may no longer
be accurate.
Look for information about the author – anyone can write a book
on any topic, but a person dedicated to the topic will provide better quality information.
Determine whether or not it is expository text – with the exclusion
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating Non-Fiction Books as Research Tools
Determine whether the information is balanced – Does it provide
unbiased information or is it like a commercial selling something.
Determine whether the book is a primary source or a secondary
source.
A primary source is the unedited, raw information.
examples include diaries, artifacts, original newspaper
articles, original documents, etc.
A secondary source is edited, second-hand representation
someone else’s information.
examples include commentaries, biographies, magazine and
newspaper articles, bibliographies, encyclopedias, etc.
Find the bibliography – the bibliography will provide a list of
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating Non-Fiction Books as Research Tools
Title:
Author Bio:
Date of Publication:
Quality of expository text:
Primary or Secondary source?
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
The internet is place where you can find information on just about any topic your can imagine with a click of your mouse. However, it is far easier to post information on the internet than it is to publish it in a book. Therefore, there are many many sites with incorrect and
biased information. You must be sure to evaluate any site you plan to use before you determine whether or not it is quality information.
Check the date of the last update – there are sites that have been
on the web for years that have not been updated and may no longer be accurate.
Check the URL and the domain ending – the domain ending can
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
Look for information about the author – anyone can create a site
about anything, but a person who is dedicated to a particular topic, has an occupation centered around a topic is more likely to share more accurate information
Determine the readability/quality of the site – some sites are not
laid out in a useable fashion and will make it difficult to get
information. Other sites are “dummy” sites that will be tagged with certain information, but will not really contain anything more than links and advertisements.
Determine whether the site contains expository text – expository
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
Determine whether the information is balanced – Does it provide
unbiased information or is it like a commercial. Too many sites are biased.
Determine whether the site is a primary source or a secondary
source.
A primary source is the unedited, raw information.
examples include diaries, artifacts, original newspaper
articles, original documents, etc.
A secondary source is edited, second-hand representation
someone else’s information.
examples include commentaries, biographies, magazine and
newspaper articles, bibliographies, encyclopedias, etc.
Find the bibliography – the bibliography will provide a list of
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
Website URL:
Author information:
Date of last update:
Quality of expository text:
Primary or Secondary source?
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
Whenever you use someone else work as research, you MUST give them credit for helping you. If you were to purposely or accidentally copy a part of a text that isn’t yours, that is called plagiarism.
There are many formal ways to source your work, but in order to credit your source you only need to include:
Author’s name (Franks, John)
Title of book, article, or website (Jungle Cats of Brazil)
Provide name of magazine or newspaper of article (Time Magazine) Provide page number of article (p. 56-72)
Provide publishing company and location (New York: Harcourt) Provide date published (March 2008)
Provide URL (Uniform Resource Locator) (http://www.yahoo.com)
Introduction to Research and the Reference Section
In this unit, we have learned about:
The Purpose of Research
Start with Keywords
The Reference Section
The Encyclopedia
The Dictionary
The Atlas
The Almanac
The Thesaurus
Evaluating Non-Fiction Books as Research Tools
Evaluating the Internet as a Research Tool
