referencematerialer

Referencematerialer are sources used to verify information, provide background, or support learning. They include dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, standards, bibliographies, manuals, style guides, court records, statistical data, maps, atlases, and scholarly journals. The term is commonly used in Danish and Norwegian contexts to refer to materials that readers consult to confirm facts or understand terms, rather than to novel research results.

In research and education, referencematerialer serve to define terms, establish accepted knowledge, and locate sources. They are typically evaluated for authority, accuracy, coverage, currency, and objectivity. Distinctions are made between primary sources (original data, documents) and secondary or tertiary referencematerialer (summaries, analyses, compilations).

Formats can be printed or digital. Digital referencematerialer include online encyclopedias, databases, e-books, datasets, bibliographies, and institutional repositories. Access may be open or restricted through licenses; copyright considerations apply.

In libraries and institutions, referencematerialer are organized with metadata and cataloging standards to support discovery. Users should assess reliability by examining authoring bodies, publication venue, edition, peer review, and citations, and consider currency and potential biases.

When selecting referencematerialer, one should match purpose, audience, and scope, prefer authoritative publishers, and, when possible, corroborate with multiple sources. They complement primary research by providing context, terminology, and pointers to further information.