CONTENTS: Introduction Dictionaries and Encyclopedias Almanacs Bibliographies Biographical Dictionaries Concordances Directories Chronologies Atlases and Gazetteers Handbooks and Manuals Statistics BACK TO: Library Homepage Library Instruction Page

Reference Tools

Types of Reference Resources

1. General reference resources cover all topics briefly. They present information that is very broad, well-established, and commonly-known so you will probably need more in-depth information for a college-level research paper.

Examples:

Webster's Dictionary (Reference PE1460 .W425 1989)

World Almanac and Book of Facts (Reference Desk AY67 .N5 W7)

World Book Encyclopedia (Reference table 2 AE5 .W55 2002)

2. Subject-specific (or "subject-focused") reference resources concentrate on one subject only. They usually present more extensive information than general reference resources and are therefore often a better source to get background information for a college-level research paper.

Examples:

Dictionary of Musical Terms (Music Res. ML108 .S76 1898)

Encyclopedia of International Commerce (HF1001 .M55 1985)

Louisiana Almanac (Reference Desk AY186 .N5 L68)

          

Comments | LSU Libraries | Louisiana State University | Library Instruction Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Tel (225) 578-5652 | Fax (225) 578-9432 Copyright © 1998-2008 LSU Libraries URL: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/reftools/reftools02.html Last Updated: Wednesday, 29-Aug-2007 16:51:28 CDT