Specialized Reference Sources: Definitions

When searching for Reference materials add "REF AND " to your search to see what Reference materials we have in our collection. For example search "REF AND Atlas" to see what Atlas' are in our collection.

The definitions on this page were compiled from the following sources:

• Fayetville State University
• New Mexico State University 
• Bolner, Myrtle & Gayle Poirier. The Research Process Books and Beyond. page 125  Kendall Hunt Pub, 1997.

A | B | C | D | E | G | H | I | M | Q | T | Y

This is a list of various types of reference sources that can be found on the shelves or electronically at USC Upstate.  If you know of a type of source that is not on the list and would like it to be added, please contact the librarian associated with this guide to make the suggestion.

• Almanac - This usually contains a single volume representing a specified year with a compilation of facts and statistics on a topic. (The world almanac OR Revolutionary War almanac)
• Atlas - A bound volume of geographical information such as physical, political, road and/or thematic maps. (Atlas of the World)
  • Historical Atlas - This source contains maps and descriptions of the represented areas as they were during the time period that is covered by the atlas. (Historical atlas of Tibet)
  • Subject Atlas - These atlases provide maps and information about a specific topic. (Wine atlas of Germany)

• Bibliography - This contains a list of sources (books, articles, and more) about a specific subject or author.
• Biographical Dictionary - These sources provide a short summary of the lives of people, often with a focus on a particular group of people (women, scientists, historical figures, etc). (Southern writers: a new biographical dictionary) 

• Chronology - This work presents information that is arranged by date.
• Concordance - These sources give an alphabetical list of the principal keywords or phrases contained in another book with citations of the passages. (A concordance to the poems of Dylan Thomas)

• Dictionary (Abridged)  - This resource defines selected words and terms, confirms spelling, definition and pronunciation, explains how words are used, and helps to locate synonyms and antonyms.
  • Unabridged Dictionary - This source provides a comprehensive listing of words and terms along with definitions and helps to identify synonyms and antonyms.
  • Subject Dictionary - These sources focus on the vocabulary of a subject or discipline. (The Penguin dictionary of science) 
  • ​Etymological Dictionary - This provides the history of words and how their meanings change. (An etymological dictionary of the English language)
  • Bilingual Dictionary - This defines words and terms used by the two languages represented in the dictionary. (Oxford beginner's Chinese dictionary)
• Digest - This is a compilation of information or a short account of that information.
• Directory - This source gives contact information such as names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

• Encyclopedia (General) - These sets provide summaries of information and ideas in a comprehensive manner. They are useful for providing facts and obtaining a broad survey of a topic. (The encyclopedia Americana)
  • Subject Encyclopedia  - These sources contain articles on topics within a specific subject. (The encyclopedia of twentieth-century fiction)

• Gazetteer - An alphabetical list of geographic names identifying the nature and location of the thing, or place, named.
• Guidebook - These sources provide detailed descriptions of places and are designed primarily for visitors or those unfamiliar with a particular area. Readers will find descriptions of road, places, or objects of interest, geographical facts and occasionally maps.

• Handbook - These provide a brief survey of a topic. (Animal rights: a reference handbook)

• Index - An index lists citations to periodical articles, books, and proceedings and indicates where those resources can be found.

• Manual - A manual explains how to do something, such as the manner in which something operates or the way in which an organization operates. (Nursing diagnosis reference manual)
  • ​Style Guide - is a book with a set of standards for the writing and design of documents, either for general use or for a specific publication, organization, or field. (MLA handbook)

• Quotation Dictionary - a book listing common quotations often by subject and or author. (The Yale book of quotations)

• Subject Atlas - These atlases provide maps and information about a specific topic.
• Subject Dictionary - These sources focus on the vocabulary of a subject or discipline.
• Subject Encyclopedia  - These sources contain articles on topics within a specific subject.

• Thesaurus -  A book of synonyms, often including related and contrasting words and antonyms. (Roget's international thesaurus)

• Unabridged Dictionary - This source provides a comprehensive listing of words and terms along with definitions and helps to identify synonyms and antonyms.

• Yearbook - A yearbook covers the trends and events of a specific year. It may be general in coverage or limited to a specific subject or geographical area. (Mental Measures Yearbook)