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| Secondary Information Sources (Print and Electronic) |
Secondary Information Sources (Print and Electronic) LIS NOTES
1. Definition
Secondary information sources are those which organize, interpret, compile, or index information from primary sources to make them more accessible and usable.
They do not contain original information but provide guidance to locate, interpret, and understand primary sources.
Examples: Indexes, Abstracts, Bibliographies, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Directories, Yearbooks, Almanacs, Biographical sources, Geographical sources, etc.
In Library and Information Science (LIS), secondary sources are considered ready-reference tools and are widely available in both print (books, volumes, reports) and electronic formats (CD-ROM, databases, online portals, mobile apps).
2. Characteristics of Secondary Sources
- Derived/compiled from primary sources.
- Provide interpretation, evaluation, or summarization.
- Serve as guides, gateways, or tools to locate primary sources.
- Essential in reference services, bibliographic control, and academic research.
3. Types of Secondary Information Sources (LIS Classification)
3.1 Bibliographies
Definition: A systematic list of documents (books, articles, reports) arranged according to a scheme.
Types: National, Subject, Author, Analytical, Enumerative, Annotated, etc.
Examples:
- British National Bibliography (BNB, 1950, UK).
- Indian National Bibliography (1958, Central Reference Library, Kolkata).
3.2 Indexes
Definition: Alphabetical or systematic arrangement of terms/keywords with references to locate information in primary documents.
Types: Subject, Author, Citation, Keyword, Permuted Title.
Examples:
- Index Medicus (1879, NLM, USA; online version later became PubMed).
- Science Citation Index (1964, Eugene Garfield, Institute for Scientific Information – ISI).
3.3 Abstracting Sources
Definition: Provide concise summaries of primary documents, helping researchers decide relevance.
Types: Indicative, Informative, Critical, Slanted.
Examples:
- Chemical Abstracts (1907, American Chemical Society).
- Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) (1969, Library Association, now ProQuest).
3.4 Dictionaries
Definition: Provide meanings, spelling, usage, pronunciation, derivations of words.
Types: General, Subject, Etymological, Biographical, Bilingual, Encyclopedic; Abridged, Unabridged, Pocket, Desk.
Examples:
- Johnson’s Dictionary (1755, London).
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED) (1884–1928, OUP; online 2000).
- Dictionary of Library and Information Science (1964, ALA; Joan Reitz, online 1996).
3.5 Encyclopedias
Definition: Comprehensive works providing summaries of knowledge on all branches (general) or a specific subject (specialized).
Types: General, Subject-specific, National.
Examples:
- Encyclopaedia Britannica (first ed. 1768–1771, Edinburgh).
- Encyclopaedia of Library and Information Science (1968, Marcel Dekker, New York).
- Wikipedia (2001, Wikimedia Foundation – electronic, crowdsourced).
3.6 Directories
Definition: Provide factual information about organizations, institutions, persons, services.
Types: Trade, Professional, Institutional, Telephone, Specialized subject directories.
Examples:
- American Library Directory (first published 1876, R.R. Bowker).
- World of Learning (first ed. 1947, Europa Publications).
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) (2003, Lund University, Sweden – online).
3.7 Yearbooks & Almanacs
Definition: Provide annual information and statistical data on current events, organizations, or subjects.
Examples:
- Statesman’s Yearbook (first ed. 1864, Macmillan, London).
- Information Please Almanac (first ed. 1947, USA).
3.8 Biographical Sources
Definition: Provide life sketches of important personalities.
Examples:
- Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) (1885, UK, Smith, Elder & Co.; later OUP).
- Who’s Who (first ed. 1849, UK, A & C Black).
- Current Biography (1940, USA, H.W. Wilson).
3.9 Geographical Sources (Atlases, Gazetteers, Maps)
Definition: Provide factual information about places, countries, physical and political geography.
Examples:
- Times Atlas of the World (1895, London).
- Imperial Gazetteer of India (1881–1887, compiled by W.W. Hunter).
4. Chronological Development of Secondary Sources
18th Century:
- Encyclopaedia Britannica (1768).
- Johnson’s Dictionary (1755).
19th Century:
- Who’s Who (1849).
- Index Medicus (1879).
- Statesman’s Yearbook (1864).
- Imperial Gazetteer of India (1881).
20th Century:
- Chemical Abstracts (1907).
- Science Citation Index (1964).
- Indian National Bibliography (1958).
- Encyclopaedia of Library and Information Science (1968).
- Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) (1969).
21st Century (Electronic Sources):
- Wikipedia (2001).
- DOAJ (2003).
- OED Online (2000).
- Merriam-Webster Online (1996).
5. Print vs. Electronic Secondary Sources
Print Sources
Stable, tangible, archival.
Examples: BNB, Statesman’s Yearbook, OED (print).
Electronic Sources
Updated frequently, multimedia features, searchable.
Examples: OED Online, DOAJ, Wikipedia, PubMed, Britannica Online.
6. Importance in LIS
- Bibliographic control – secondary sources organize the vast literature for retrieval.
- Reference services – provide quick and verified information.
- Research support – help in literature reviews, citation linking, subject exploration.
- User education – essential tools for information literacy and research guidance.
- Hybrid libraries – print + electronic sources serve both traditional and digital users.