Bibliometric analysis to identify core reference sources of virtual reference transactions

As the use of electronic reference sources becomes commonplace, virtual reference services are expanding in scope, modes, and popularity. Simultaneously, reference practices are evolving as well. One concept that may be challenged by these trends is the notion of the core reference collection. What are the sources that form this core collection, and what are its characteristics? Are similar sources used to answer users' questions in virtual and traditional reference? How do core collections of public and academic libraries differ? An analysis of 1851 e-mail and chat reference transactions from public and academic libraries reveals that the notion of a core reference collection persists in the world of virtual reference services. In both types of libraries, responses to patrons showed a skewed bibliographic distribution; librarians used a small group of sources to answer most of the questions. Almost all sources used were electronic. Academic libraries tended to make greater use of fee-based sources, but public libraries more often used sources freely-available on the Web.     

An introductory guide to drug reference sources

A huge number of drug reference sources exist. For the librarian new to the drug information field, choosing the appropriate source to answer a reference question can be difficult. This paper presents some common drug reference questions and some of the American, British, and Canadian tools best suited to answering them.     

Analysis of reference sources used in drug-related Wikipedia articles

Objective

References from drug-related Wikipedia articles and a drug information database were compared.

Methods

Drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch alerts from January–July 2013 were searched in Wikipedia and Lexicomp to compare reference types and to assess the time for drug safety information to be incorporated into Wikipedia articles.

Results

Wikipedia most commonly cited peer-reviewed journal articles (49.2%) and news articles (12.0%). MedWatch citations were incorporated into Wikipedia on average in 5.9 days.

Conclusions

Wikipedia cited various sources but may not be a reliable, up-to-date resource for drug safety information.     

网络参考信息源的划分与评价

本文从网络信息资源的整理利用出发,对现有的网站给予评价和分析,力图制定出一定的评价标准,以便于参考馆员和信息用户高效地查找所需的信息,也为网站的设计投资者提供一定的参考意见.     

The use of ephemera with particular reference to blood and organ donation: a review of sources

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Responding to reference queries for numeric data and the problems inherent in interpreting statistical sources: A note

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Transformation of a print reference collection

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