Name_____________________                                      Class____________________

 

How to Use a Print Reference Source

 

1.      Using the online catalog and your key words, find a reference work that fits the topic you are working on.  Locate the reference work.  Write down the following information about it:

 

Reference Book Title_____________________________ Call Number__________

 

Author or Editor_______________________________

 

Publisher____________________  Publisher’s  Location_____________________

 

Copyright date__________ Number of volumes_____________

 

2.      If it is a multivolume set, how are the volumes divided?  (alphabetically, by time period, by topic area, etc.)_____________________________________________

 

3.      What technique does this book use to help readers find information?

 

  Table of contents?

 

       Index?        

Is the index at the end of the book, a separate volume, or in the last volume of the set? _____________________________

 

What kind(s) of index(es) is (are) provided for this work?_____________________

 

How is the material in the book organized?  (A to Z, by subject area, by geographic area, chronologically?) ____________________________________________________

 

4.      Using your research question key words and the index or table of contents, look up an article in this reference work related to your topic.

 

What is the title of the article? _______________________________________

 

5.       Scan all the way to the end of the article.  What do you find there? 

q       Is the article signed?  If so, write the author’s name here__________________

q       Does it have a bibliography or web site recommendations?  ___________

q       Are there “See also” recommendations for other articles?  Which ones might be helpful to your topic?

 

 

 

6.      Read over the article and take notes that will help give background information or answer questions related to your research topic.