INFS 321 Information Sources Session 2 Introduction to Information Sources Part II Lecturer: Prof. Perpetua S. Dadzie, DIS Contact Information: pdadzie@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 2016/2017 godsonug.wordpress.com/blog
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 Control-Access-Directional sources are Explain what Source types of reference sources are Slide 2
Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Topic One : Classification of reference source: Control-Access- Directional sources Topic Two : Classification of reference source: Source types Slide 3
Reading List Kumar, Krishan (2006) Reference Service 5 th ed. Delhi: VikasPublishing House Katz, A. William (2002) Introduction to Reference, Work Vols. I & II, 8 th ed. Slide 4
Topic One CLASSIFICATION OF REFERENCES SOURCES CONTROL-ACCESS-DIRECTIONALCTIONAL SOURCES Slide 5
Control-Access-Directional Control Access- Directional sources also known bibliographies. Bibliographies are compilations or systematically produced descriptive list of records. Record pertinent information about each item listed, including its author, title, edition, place of publication, publisher and date of publication. Bibliographic sources answer questions about books, magazines, newspapers, libraries and publishing. Slide 6
Control-Access-Directional 2 Why Bibliographies are called Control Access- Directional sources? Bibliographies serve as control device or checklist Bibliographies inventory what is produced daily or yearly They enable both compiler or producer of bibliography and user to feel that they have a control, through organization, of the steady flow of knowledge. Slide 7
Control-Access-Directional 3 Why Bibliographies are called Control Access- Directional sources Bibliographies also provide access. They are prepared through research (that is, identification, description and classification of information). Once the items are controlled, individual items are organized for easy access to facilitate intelligent work. Slide 8
Control-Access-Directional 4 Why Bibliographies are called Control Access- Directional sources Bibliographies are also referred to as Directional because they do not give definitive answers, but serve to direct users to sources of answers. Most Control-Access--Directional sources of reference works are available not only in print but also in electronic format. Slide 9
Control-Access-Directional 5 Why Bibliographies are called Control Access- Directional sources Bibliographies are also referred to as Directional because they do not give definitive answers, but serve to direct users to sources of answers. Most Control-Access--Directional sources of reference works are available not only in print but also in electronic format. Slide 10
Control-Access-Directional 6 Bibliographies are subdivided as follows: Bibliographies of reference sources and the literature of a field, eg. Guide to Reference Books The library catalog or the catalogs of numerous libraries; bibliographical utilities. eg. Online Computer Library Centre (OCLC), Research Library Information Network (RLIN) General systematic enumerative bibliographies eg, The National Union Catalog. Indexes and abstracts - bibliographical aids eg, The Readers Guide to PeriodiĐal literature, The New York Times Index. Slide 11
Topic Two CLASSIFICATION OF REFERENCES SOURCES SOURCE TYPESCTIONAL SOURCES Slide 12
Source Types They usually suffice in themselves to give the answers. Examples of sources types include Encyclopedias, Fact sources, Dictionaries, Biographical Sources, Geographical sources and Government Documents. Encyclopedias eg, Encyclopedia Britannica; Encyclopedias on CD-ROM and online eg, Encarta Fact sources Almanacs, Handbooks, Manuals and Directories. eg. World AlŵaŶaĐ, StatesŵaŶ s Year Book. Dictionaries eg. Weďster s Third New IŶterŶatioŶal Dictionary; Biographical Sources eg. Who s Who Slide 13
Source Types 2 Geographical sources Atlases, gazetteers, dictionaries of place names and guidebooks Government Documents OffiĐial puďliđatioŷs ďy MDA s. eg monthly catalog of United States Government Publications (access type); United States Government Manual (source type) Slide 14
Conclusion Neat categorization not always distinct in an actual situation. A bibliography may be only source required if question is merely one of verification or of trying to complete a bibliographical citation. Conversely, bibliography at end of encyclopedia article or a statement in that article may direct patron to another source. Two main categories access and source serve to differentiate among the principal types of reference works. With the introduction of computers neat categorization no longer exist. Electronic databases eg Emerald, EBSCO has bibliographic and full text. Slide 15
Activity Visit any library of your choice and identify the following sources Guides to the Literature: Walford s Guide to Reference Materials; Balay s Guide to Reference Books Indexes: The Readers Guide to PeriodiĐal literature, The New York Times Index. Electronic Search : Online Computer Library Centre (OCLC), Research Library Information Network (RLIN) Slide 16
Activity 2 Source Types: Encyclopedia: The New Encyclopedia Britannica; Fact sources : The World Almanacs and Book of Facts; The Statesmans Year Book. Dictionary: Weďster s Third New IŶterŶatioŶal Dictionary; Biographical Source : IŶterŶatioŶal Who s Who Geographical source : The Columbia Gazetteers Slide 17
References Katz, A. William (2002) Introduction to Reference, Work Vols. I pp. 7-8 Slide 18