Referencekilden

Referencekilden is a term used in Nordic library and information science to denote a curated reference source that serves as an authoritative base for fact-checking and scholarly work. The compound derives from reference and kilden (the source) in Norwegian and Danish, signaling its role as the primary citation anchor in research workflows.

A referencekilden typically comprises selected reference works such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, gazetteers, statistical compendia, and primary source collections, together with metadata about authorship, edition, publication date, and scope. It is maintained by librarians or editorial boards and updated to reflect new editions, revisions, and newly available data.

In practice, referencekilden is integrated into library catalogs and research platforms, offering features like structured search, cross-references, and persistent identifiers. Users rely on it to confirm facts, establish definitions, and locate authoritative sources for citations. Access may be restricted to library members or provided via institutional subscriptions, with some components available openly.

History and development: The concept emerged in the late 20th century with the digitization of reference works and the creation of centralized reference databases. Modern implementations emphasize interoperability through standards such as MARC, Dublin Core, and authority control, enabling linking between referencekilden entries and external datasets.

Criticism and limitations include potential gaps in coverage, biases in editorial selection, and lag between new information and inclusion. Proponents argue that a well-managed referencekilden improves research efficiency and reliability by providing a stable, reviewed starting point for inquiries.