Hands-on #3: Reference Sources
Due: Wednesday, September 2, 1998
Assigned: Wednesday, September 9, 1998
Points: 40

1. This assignment will help you to become more famililar with reference works.
2. It will give you a chance to look at a variety of different sources so that when you choose a particular reference source for your Information Review #1, you will be more aware of all the different types of sources available.
3. Finally, it will require you to find and focus on Reference work that deal with your final project topic.

General Requirements:

• Choose 5 reference sources that deal with your final project topic.
• The reference sources you choose can be a combination of electronic and print.
• At least two sources must be books.
• These sources can do double duty. One of these can be the source for your first information review. Also, all or some of these sources should serve as starting points for your final project.
• Give each resource the proper citation. Hint! Use your Online text
• Write a brief annotation for each resource.
• The annotations will describe the purpose and coverage of each reference work. They will also be evaluative. In other words, each annotation will describe how useful the reference work is to you and to other users. Please address most, if not all, of the following areas in your annotations:

  Is it current enough for the subject area?

  Is it scholarly or popular?

  Is the level appropriate? i.e., not too specialized not too basic

  Does it provide enough depth or does it just skim the surface?

  What special features does it have? Specialized indexes? Maps? Illustrations?

  Does it show bias? a particular view point?

  Are the authors or editors an authority on the subject?

Format: You can submit this assignment to me via e-mail at susabeck@lib.nmsu.edu or you can type or word process this assignment. Another option is to deliver the assignment to me via ftp. Neatness, spelling and grammar count at all times, especially with e-mail or ftp submissions. Always check your spelling, your punctuation and your grammar. Make sure you have enough white space between entries.

Citations & Annotations: Examples

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by Susan E. Beck
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM

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