Library Words to Know: Reference & Research

Almanac
An annual publication that includes weather forecasts, planting dates, celestial data, and other statistics. Current almanacs cover specific topics, using statistics to illustrate their history and development.

Atlas
A collection of maps or charts, usually of Earth or of a single continent or region.

Dictionary
A reference source of terms, their definitions, and other relevant information. Also available for specialized subject areas.

Encyclopedia
A collection of information on various topics, or a comprehensive work on a specific branch of knowledge. Often arranged alphabetically.

Glossary
An alphabetized list of terms and definitions on a particular subject.

Handbook
A written work on a topic or technique intended for simple, easily accessible reference, such as a Student Handbook.

Index
1. A list of names, places, or subjects referenced within a publication. Typically listed at the back of a book.
2. A searchable list of periodicals organized by subject or author.

Reference (Collection)
A collection with materials for study or research, such as encyclopedias, handbooks, atlases, etc.

Study guide
A list of references provided to help with research or study.

Style manual
A guide to formatting and documenting sources in an academic paper using a specific style system, such as MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.

Thesaurus
1. A book of words with vocabulary or information pertaining to a particular subject. Most commonly, a book of words with synonyms.
2. A list of controlled vocabulary used to help locate information within a collection, such as a catalog or an index.

Abstract
A short summary outlining the main points of a text, such as a book, journal article, or scientific paper. Typically located at the beginning of a text.

Annotation
A note that describes, explains, evaluates, or elaborates on a piece of information. For example, a bibliography will often have annotations that summarize the content of each citation.

Article
A brief report on a topic, commonly published in a journal, magazine, or newspaper.

Bibliography
A list of sources used for citing a paper or publication. Usually follows a particular style, such as MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.

Catalog
A comprehensive list of all library materials.

Citation
A formal reference that provides the necessary details to locate and identify a source. 

Controlled vocabulary
A list of specific terms used to describe topics in a consistent way. This helps users find materials more easily in a catalog or database. See also Subject heading.

Descriptor
A keyword or phrase used in a database to describe an article’s subject. Helps improve search accuracy. See also Subject heading.

Entry
A record of a material in an index or catalog, e.g. a catalog record or an encyclopedia entry.

Footnote
A type of annotation placed at the bottom of a page; used to credit sources or provide more information without interrupting the text.

Full text
A complete version of an article or book available online, as opposed to an abstract or excerpt. Can refer to items also published in print. Full text scholarly publications will include the abstract and the citation.

Journal
A periodical centered around a discipline that contains peer-reviewed articles, papers, research reports, or technical reports written by scholars. Commonly referred to as a Scholarly or Academic Journal.

Library of Congress Classification System
A system used by most college libraries to organize books by subject using letters and numbers.

Periodical
A recurring publication that releases on a regular or stated schedule. 

Plagiarism
The act of copying another’s work and claiming ownership without permission or credit.

Primary source
Original materials such as diaries, newspaper articles, archival collections, etc. that give firsthand accounts or information. See also Secondary source.

Reference (in Research)
Another word for citation.

Secondary source
A work that analyzes or interprets a primary source. Examples include biographies, journal articles, and literature reviews.

• Students may find it helpful to use secondary sources when finding or engaging with a primary source is too difficult. For more information, see Primary and Secondary Sources. See also Evaluating Source Types.

Subject heading
A specific term or phrase used to describe the content of a work. For example, a journal article with the subject heading "European poetry" means that the article is written about European poetry (as opposed to a work that is or contains such poetry).

Boolean operator
Words like “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT” used in search tools to help find more specific or narrow results. For example, “cats AND dogs” finds results with both terms; “cats OR dogs” finds results with either. 

Database
An organized collection of information that can be searched using a computer. At colleges and universities, databases are commonly used to access scholarly resources, such as research papers and journal articles.

• Students, faculty, and staff can access databases through their institution to find full texts and other resources. To browse databases available from RIC, visit A-Z Databases.

Keyword
A prominent word in the title, abstract, or text of a material used to search for the work online.

Limit/Limiter
A search query modifier that refines results based on criteria not related to a material’s subject, such as the format, the location(s) of the material, and the year published.

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
A digital version of the library’s catalog that can be used to search for books, articles, and other resources. 

• Browse RIC's online catalog using the search bar on the Adams Library Homepage.

Open Access
A term for a publication that is free and available to the public online.

Permalink
A stable, reliable link that directs a user to the original version of an online resource. 

• Faculty are encouraged to use permalinks from RIC’s available databases when including online resources in course material. For more information, see Using Permalinks in Blackboard.

Search Query/Search Statement
Words entered into a search box to find information within a database or via search engine (e.g. Google).

Truncation
A search tool that uses part of a word and a symbol (usually an asterisk *) to find all of its variants. For example, nurs* will expand the search to nurse, nurses, nursing, nursery, nurseries, etc.

• Note: Some complex search queries vary by database. For best results, use the "Advanced Search" tool, which is available on most databases.

Chat
Real-time communication via messages over the internet. 

• To connect with a librarian, use the Adams Library Reference chat by clicking the speech bubble icon on the bottom right of the Library Homepage.
• For support after hours, visit Reference & Research Support and submit a query under “Contact Us”.

Reference (Library Service)
A department that helps patrons find library materials or information. 

• RIC’s Reference department offers a wide range of services, such as help with research, library resources, and campus information. Services are available in-person, over the phone, and online via chat.