INFS 321 Information Sources

Transcription

1 INFS 321 Information Sources Session 1 Introduction to Information Sources Lecturer: Prof. Perpetua S. Dadzie, DIS Contact Information: pdadzie@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/ /2017 godsonug.wordpress.com/blog

2 Session Overview Information sources or reference sources help to answer frequently asked questions or challenging questions about what is happening in our environment or even what happened some time ago. At the end of the session, the student will be able to Explain what reference sources are Identify main classification of reference sources Slide 2

3 Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Topic One : Definition of reference sources Topic Two : Classification of reference sources - Documentary sources Topic Three: Classification of reference sources - Non-documentary sources Slide 3

4 Reading List Kumar, Krishan (2006) Reference Service 5 th ed. Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Katz, A. William (2002) Introduction to Reference, Work Vols. I & II, 8 th ed. Slide 4

5 Topic One DEFINING REFERENCE SOURCES Slide 5

6 What are Reference sources? Harrod s LiďrariaŶs Glossary aŷd RefereŶĐe Book defiŷes refereŷđe sourđe as aŷy ŵaterial, puďlished ǁork, database, website, etc, which is used to obtain authoritatiǀe iŷforŵatioŷ. Reference sources: contain miscellaneous information. That is, they contain different information on various subjects. not meant to be read from cover to cover. consulted as and when necessary. For example, if you need ŵeaŷiŷg of ǁord irk you ǁill go straight to I seđtioŷ iŷ a dictionary Slide 6

7 What are Reference sources 2? References sources: separated from regular collection (that is, print sources in a library). References sources placed in special section usually called Reference department/section to enable Reference Librarian have easy access to collection. Reference Department/section is where library staff comes into direct contact with patrons of library to help them identify sources of information in response to their questions, interests, assignments. Currently, libraries provide remote assistance via telephone, , social media Slide 7

8 Topic Two CLASSIFICATION OF REFERENCE SOURCES- DOCUMENTARY SOURCES Slide 8

9 Documentary Sources Reference sources may be classified according to Documentary and Non-Documentary Sources Documentary sources - information sources which include primarily books, periodicals and newspapers Three types: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sources. Primary sources First published records of original research and development Description of new application or new interpretation of an old theme or idea Unorganized sources difficult to use by themselves Subject becomes a discipline when independent primary sources begin to be produced in that area Slide 9

10 Documentary Sources 2 Uses of Primary sources Aid researchers to keep themselves up-to-date and well informed of new developments Avoid duplication in research Help others to build on this by means of further work Primary sources published in variety of forms Journal article, research monograph, research report, patent, standards, dissertation, trade literature, unpublished sources eg, laboratory notebooks, memoranda, diaries Slide 10

11 Documentary Sources 3 Secondary sources Information either compiled from or refer to primary sources Make available information contained in primary sources in a more convenient form Original information usually modified, selected or reorganized Contain organized repackaged knowledge rather than new knowledge More easily and widely available Serve as bibliographical key to primary sources of information Slide 11

12 Documentary Sources 4 Secondary sources Examples: Indexes, Indexing periodicals, Abstracting periodicals, Reviews, Treatises, Monographs, Textbooks, Reference books, Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, Manuals, Tables, Translations Tertiary Sources Information distilled and collected from primary and secondary sources. To aid researcher in use of primary and secondary sources. Examples: Bibliography of Bibliographies, Guides to Literature, Directories Slide 12

13 Topic Three CLASSIFICATION OF REFERENCES SOURCES NON DOCUMENTARY SOURCES Slide 13

14 Non-Documentary Sources Non-Documentary Sources form substantial part of communication especially in science and technology. Provide information which other sources do not have. Two kinds: Formal and Informal. Formal sources include research organizations, societies, industries, government departments, universities, consultants. Informal sources include conversations with colleagues, visitors, attendance at professional meeting. Very often, the conversation or discussion would point out primary or secondary sources. Slide 14

15 Non-Documentary Sources 2 Informal sources are live sources which are extremely important in the process of communication. Tend to be more convenient sources because easier to have dialogue with expert than to use a bibliography or index. Conclusion Categorization information into Documentary and Non- Documentary sources based on characteristics of documents. Takes into consideration related currency and accuracy of sources of information. Slide 15

16 Non-Documentary Sources 3 Primary sources more current than secondary and tertiary. Primary sources generally more accurate than secondary sources due to the fact that these represent original ideas. However, in some cases a secondary or tertiary source may correct errors, which might have occurred in a primary source. Slide 16

17 Video Reference Materials Parts 1: Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus <iframe width="560" height="315" src=" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Slide 17

18 Activity Visit any academic library and identify the following sources Primary sources Journal articles, research monographs, research reports, patents, standards, dissertations, trade literature, unpublished sources eg, laboratory notebooks, memoranda, diaries Secondary sources Indexes, Indexing periodicals, Abstracting periodicals, Reviews, Treatises, Textbooks, Reference books, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, handbooks, Manuals, Tables, Translations Tertiary sources Bibliography of Bibliographies, Guides to Literature, Directories Slide 18

19 References Kumar, Krishan (2006) Reference Service 5 th ed. Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. Ch. 9 pp Slide 19