INFS 321 Information Sources Session 6 Encyclopedias and Dictionaries Lecturer: Prof. Perpetua S. Dadzie, DIS Contact Information: pdadzie@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 2016/2017 godsonug.wordpress.com/blog
Session Overview At the end of the session, the student will be able to : Explain what encyclopedias are and state their advantages and disadvantages State what dictionaries are; the different types and indicate the kinds of information found in them Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 2
Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Topic One : Definition, types and uses of Encyclopedia Topic Two : Definitions, types and Uses of Dictionaries Topic Three : Selection and Evaluation Process for dictionaries Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 3
Reading List Kumar, Krishan (2006) Reference Service 5 th ed. Delhi: Vikas Publishing House; Chapter 11 & 12 Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 4
Topic One ENCYCLOPEDIAS Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 5
Definitions An interdisciplinary repository of information, a systematic overview and summary of human knowledge systematic overview of selected topics of major importance. Compendium of knowledge a summarized compendium of multidisciplinary knowledge in a verifiable, organized and rapidly accessible manner allow its users to meet their information needs first on a general level and then on a specific level by pointing them to more detailed sources of information. Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 6
Types of Encyclopedias General encyclopedia work containing informational articles giving essential general information on subjects in various branches of knowledge, arranged alphabetically by subject and names Subject encyclopedia works containing informational articles giving essential general information limited to a special field of knowledge or area of interest, arranged
Use of Encyclopedias To educate and to inform Provide facts Proǀide illustratioŷs (ĐhildreŶ s encyclopedia) Provide ideas of particular period (earlier editions of encyclopedias can also be used for this purpose) Provide different point of views on given topic Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 8
Use of Encyclopedias 2 Provide valuable bibliographies appended to principal articles explanatory material that is normally shorter brief informational data such as the birth and death dates of famous people, geographical locations and historical events Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 9
Questions Encyclopedias Answer Fact finding (Ready Reference) information about places, people, things including numerous facts and figures. What is the size of Jupiter? General background : to locate explanatory material or definitions Pre-research information : teach research skills systematic approaches to gathering information Slide 10 Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS
Questions Encyclopedias Answer 2 users aware of the larger issues and the related concepts better position to develop informed research strategies. Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 11
Limitations of Encyclopedias Easily out of date supplements/yearbooks fill gap but not able to serve purpose fully Space problem editors forced to drop many articles in successive editions. Libraries forced to keep different editions Bibliographies appended to articles not very exhaustive and up to date Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 12
Limitations of Encyclopedias 2 Biased to particular point of view or country Due to vastness of knowledge no encyclopedia can be best in all fields. Specialized encyclopedia if available likely to provide details Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 13
Electronic vs Print Encyclopedias CD-ROM allows animation and music to search by typing in a word or phrase allows Boolean searching can search a complete set without having to reach for separate volumes CD-ROM costs a fraction of the print CD saves storage space Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 14
Electronic vs Print Encyclopedias 2 Online Encyclopedias more current than either the print or CD-ROM have links to articles and web pages, often with illustrations. CD-ROM vs Online More users of CD-ROM encyclopedia than online because only few people have constant access to online Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 15
Electronic vs Print Encyclopedias 2 CD-ROM vs Online. Frequently CD has more features than online, ie, videos, sounds It is only at much expense and time when done online Publishers see a profit in CDs while they are busy giving away information for free online Ease of use, low cost ensures the probable life of CD encyclopedias after print versions Prof. P.S.h Dad a zie, v DI e S disappeared Slide 16
Electronic vs Print Encyclopedias 2 Print version Still popular because some users are unfamiliar with electronic approach satisfying (at least for much of the older public) to read and examine illustrations in the familiar old format convenient (book always works and never crashes) no animation and music to slow down searches Prof. P.S.Dadzie, no DIS maintenance, upgrade and Slide replacement 17
Selection Process Cost needs of the information seeking audience learners, users with general needs and users with scholarly or specialized needs Analysis of the potential usefulness of an electronic encyclopedia as an alternative to the traditional printed set. Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 18
Selection & Evaluation Authority : three quick tests for authority: recognition of a prominent name, particularly the author of the best, more recent book on the subject a quick check of a field known to the reader to see whether leaders in that field are represented in the contributors list deterŵiŷatioŷ of ǁhether a ĐoŶtriďutor s qualifications (as noted by position, degrees, occupation and so on) relate to the article(s). Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 19
Selection & Evaluation 2 Scope Viewpoint and Objectivity Writing style Recency: continuous revision Arrangement and Entry Index Format Cost Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 20
Encyclopedias: Important General Sources Encyclopedias for Children and Young Adults : World Book Encyclopedia CoŵptoŶ s EŶĐyĐlopedia Encyclopedias for Adults New Encyclopedia Britannica Subject Encyclopedias McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology On the Web Free Internet Encyclopedia http://clever.net/cam/encyclopedia.html Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 21
Activity Visit any library of your choice and examine The New Encyclopedia Britannica Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 22
Topic Two DICTIONARIES Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 23
Definitions Dictionary concerned with words; Contains words of language or terms of subject, profession or vocation arranged according to some definite order usually alphabetical giving meaning, pronunciation, spelling, syllabication, use Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 24
Uses of dictionaries to define or give meaning to words, phrases and expressions to verify spelling, syllabication or pronunciation to check on usage, or to determine the etymological history of a word To indicate dialect if any To determine synonyms, antonyms and homonyms, To determine abbreviations, acronyms, signs and symbols may also be used for puzzle solving for clarifying the meaning of words in texts for satisfying intellectual curiosity consulted chiefly by persons who are writing or editing manuscripts
Kinds of Dictionaries Descriptive recording how the language is actually used language is always changing so dictionaries should reflect these changes Prescriptive advocating how it ought to be used set standards, support traditional usage and prevent contamination of the language by slang and jargon Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 26
Types of Dictionaries Unabridged dictionary attempts to include all the words in the language that are in use at the time the dictionary is compiled ( those with over 265,000 entries) Specialized dictionaries Etymological dictionaries gives the history of individual words with linguistic derivation and examples from writings of the past.
Types of Dictionaries 2 Slang dictionaries defines terms used in ordinary, informal speech Thesauri contain synonyms and antonyms usually without definitions Dual-language dictionary Dialect dictionary gives regional variants and usage for words within a language Usage dictionary prescribes how a word should be used, based on the way it has been used in the past.
Topic Three SELECTION AND EVALUATION Prof. P.S.Dadzie, DIS Slide 29
Selection Process Based on needs of patrons, age and condition of the dictionaries already in the collection; amount of money that can be put into new acquisitions.
Evaluation Criteria Authority Vocabulary -evaluated in terms of the period of the language, number of words or entries, special vocabulary (slang, dialect, obsolete forms, scientific or technical terms) unabridged (over 265,000 words) abridged (from 50,000 to 265,000 words) Format binding, arrangement of words, print size, readability
Evaluation Criteria 2 Scope - stated in its preface or introduction. Dictionaries intended for college-level use should include linguistic derivation- etymology of a word brief historical definition to clarify odd notions and downright falsehoods linked to words current usage - proper usage is or is not indicated Pronunciation guides- simple phonetic use Syllabication - how a word is to be divided Synonyms - helps to differentiate between similar words grammatical information - parts of speech
Evaluation Criteria 3 Accuracy - consider spelling and definition Currency - Usage is continually changing Indexing -most important in quotation books Special features - list of abbreviations, signs, symbols, comparative tables of pronunciation, maps, table of weights and measures
Important General Sources Unabridged Dictionaries - Weďster s Third New International Dictionary of the English language Unabridged Etymological Dictionaries The Oxford English Dictionary Desk Dictionaries Weďster s NiŶth Neǁ Collegiate Dictionary High-School-level Dictionaries The Concise American Heritage Dictionary Foreign-Language/English Language Dictionaries Cassell s series, Collins
Important General Sources 2 Dictionaries of Slang and Dialect- The Dictionary of American Regional English Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English New Dictionary of American Slang Thesauri and Usage Guides- Roget s IŶterŶatioŶal Thesaurus, Dictionary of Modern English Usage
Activity Visit any library of your choice and examine Weďster s Third New International Dictionary of the English language Unabridged
References Katz, A. William (2002) Introduction to Reference, Work Vols. I Chaps 7 and 10 Kumar, Krishan (2006) Reference Service 5 th ed. Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. Chaps. 11 and 12