What is a reference work?

A reference work (print book, e-book or database) is organized to provide direct access to:

• Definitions, synonyms
• Basic factual information
• Overview or guide to a subject
• Maps
• Statistics, charts, tables

How do I know it's a reference work?

Does this word appear in the title?

Tip: A textbook is usually cited as a book even though you use it for reference.

What is a yearbook, a factbook, or an almanac?

Reference sources that compile facts and statistics, often annually, may be called a yearbook, factbook or almanac.

What is a handbook?

A handbook is a reference manual about a subject.

How do I recognize a reference work in a database?

• Is the source assigned to a reference category?
• Is a reference term (e.g., encyclopedia, handbook, yearbook, etc.) used in the title?
• Are entries arranged alphabetically within the source?

How do I evaluate contributors to a reference source?

A reference source is usually compiled by many people. Look for procedures that encourage contributors to produce quality work:

• Are contributors required to use their real names?
• Can contributors earn additional responsibilities based on their work?
• Are contributions fact checked and polished by an editor?

If contributors are identified, their expertise and credentials should relate to your subject. A credible author or subject editor might:

• Have a degree in this subject
• Study or do research on this topic
• Work in a related field

How do I evaluate an entry's objectivity?

A reference work provides a balanced view of a topic.

• Are all significant views on an issue explained in neutral language?
• Is statistical data presented fully?
• Do the conclusions follow logically from the analysis?

How do I evaluate the accuracy of data?

Statistics (e.g., number of galaxies in the universe, number of unemployed workers in a country) change over time. If current information is important to understanding your topic, check the following:

• When was the entry published?
• How current are the author's sources?

Search key words (e.g., unemployed Iran) excluding a specific number in order to avoid limiting results to that number (called "confirmation bias").

Corroborate using different types of sources, especially:

• Media that tend to be current (e.g., news, blogs, web pages, magazines)
• Reports (e.g., journals articles, polls and surveys, scientific or government reports)

Always ask yourself:

• Where did that number come from?
• How was that number measured?

How do I fact-check a quote?

Quotes are typically hard to verify. A quotation database may provide the author but not the source of a quote. The quote may be incorrectly worded or attributed to the wrong person.

• Search inside an author's published books to verify a quote.
• In the case of a translated work, search more than one edition.

Tip: Search Quote Investigator (opens in new window) to see if your quote has been traced.

How do I evaluate a Wikipedia entry?

Wikipedia's goal is to compile a free encyclopedia of all human knowledge written from a neutral point of view:

• Is the language objective and unbiased?
• Are all positions presented fairly and equally?
• Do these sources represent a balanced view of the topic?
• Are the sources recent enough for your topic?

Use tools to judge the article's quality:

• Does this article have a bronze star (a featured article)?
• Is there a boxed notice at the top of the article discussing the article's quality?
• Read what the editor-contributors say about the article on the "Talk" page.

How do I cite a reference book?

Use the title page first, and then the copyright page (not the cover or jacket), to find:

• Title
• Volume number
• Volume title
• Edition
• Editor(s)
• Place of publication
• Publisher
• Latest copyright date

How do I cite an article in a reference e-book?

A reference e-book is a static copy of a print book. Gather the facts of publication from:

• The title and copyright page, if you can see them
• The article you are using
• The database's citation

How do I cite a reference database?

A reference database is continually being revised and updated, unlike a static reference e-book. Gather citation elements from:

• The entry you are using
• The citation given by the database