chapter 6

INFORMATION SOURCES

6 TYPES OF INFORMATION SOURCES

6.3 PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• Primary sources contain original information, including new raw data, new interpretations, and observations or experiments. They are numerous and widely scattered.

• Examples include periodicals, newspapers, technical reports, dissertations, conference papers, patents, standards, and trade/product bulletins.

6.3.1 Periodicals

• Definition: Publications released with a specific periodicity (weekly, monthly, etc.) under a consistent title, intended for indefinite publication.

• Features:
    - Issues are consecutively numbered and dated.
    - Continuous pagination across a volume.
    - Consist of articles from various authors.

• Types include:
    - Scholarly Periodicals
    - Trade and Business Periodicals
    - Popular Periodicals
    - Magazines
    - E-Journals

6.3.1(a) Scholarly Periodicals

• Frequently published by learned societies, universities, or reputable publishers, focusing on original and significant research, often subject to peer review.

• Features:
    - Targeted towards a scholarly audience.
    - Articles often contain technical content requiring background knowledge.
    - Do not typically include advertisements.
    - Have abstracts and bibliographies referencing prior work.

• Example: Indian Journal of Experimental Biology published by CSIR-NISCAIR since 1963.

6.3.1(b) Trade and Business Periodicals

• Published by trade organizations and focus on industry-specific news and trends.

• Features:
    - Articles can be written by professionals or journalists.
    - Heavy use of advertisements specific to the industry.
    - Written in general language with industry-specific jargon.

• Examples include Indian Textile Journal and Chemical Week.

6.3.1(c) Popular Periodicals

• Aimed at the general public and written in accessible language.

• Features:
    - Inform, educate, and entertain.
    - Short articles, often lacking bibliographical references.

• Examples: Science Reporter, Vigyan Pragati, Science-ki-Dunya.

6.3.1(d) Magazines

• Published by newspapers and commercial publishers, focusing on entertainment and general information.

• Features:
    - Content includes general news and articles.
    - Authors are typically journalists or freelance writers.
    - Substantial advertising content.

• Examples: India Today, Filmfare, Business Today.

6.3.1(e) E-Journals

• Defined as serials published electronically and accessible online.

• Benefits over print versions include remote access, no physical storage needs, and updated formats.

• Example: Advances in Natural Science, International Journal of Human Sciences.

6.3.2 Newspapers

• Publish recent happenings and cover various topics (political, social, economic).

• Different kinds exist (local, national, specialized).

• Features:
    - Published daily, weekly, or bi-weekly.
    - Short articles aimed at informing the public.
    - Authors range from freelancers to scholars.

• Examples: Times of India, Hindustan Times.

6.3.3 Technical Reports

• Research documents produced after scientific research, typically sponsored by organizations or agencies.

• Serve as primary sources of information concerning specific research areas.

6.3.4 Conference Papers

• Presentations given at conferences, later compiled in proceedings.

• Contain numerous research papers relevant to the conference theme.

• Example: Proceedings of 8th International Convention CALIBER-2011.

6.3.5 Dissertations and Thesis

• Document submitted by a researcher to support their degree candidature.

• Both are considered primary sources of information reporting original research.

• Example: Digital Light Photography thesis from the University of Delhi.

6.3.6 Patents

• Government-granted rights allowing sole use of an invention for a specified period.

• Documents provide primary information about new products, processes, or designs.

• Published in the Gazette of India, Part 3, Section 2.

6.3.7 Standards

• Documents specifying requirements, guidelines, or characteristics ensuring quality of products, processes, or services.

• Two types:
    - Fundamental Standards: Related to measuring basic entities (length, mass, etc.).
    - Technical Standards: Related to specific products, processes, or services.

• Example: ISO 2709 standard for bibliographic record formats.

6.3.8 Trade and Product Bulletins

• Information features created by manufacturers and distributors describing products.

• Primary sources often unique to specific industries.

• Example: Electronics For You bulletin.

6.4 SECONDARY SOURCES

• Provide condensed information from primary sources, making it easier for researchers to access relevant literature.

• Includes publications like secondary periodicals and bibliographies.

6.4.1 Secondary Periodicals

• Scan and select relevant items from primary literature and organize them for easy access.
    - Indexing Periodicals: Provide bibliographic details without abstracts (e.g., The Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature).
    - Abstracting Periodicals: Provide condensed summaries (e.g., Indian Science Abstracts).

6.4.2 Bibliographies

• Systematic lists of documents sharing a common factor (subject, language, etc.).

• Types include:
    - National Bibliography: Lists publications from a specific country (e.g., Indian National Bibliography).
    - Trade Bibliography: Listings for sale-oriented works (e.g., Indian Books in Print).
    - Subject Bibliography: Related to specific topics.

6.4.3 Books

• Defined as publications with a minimum of 49 text pages.

• Parts include:
    - Preliminary Material: Title Page, Copyright Page, Acknowledgment, Dedication, Preface, Table of Contents.
    - Text Body: The main content divided into chapters.
    - Appendices: Glossary, Bibliography, Index.

• Types:
    - Simple/Composite: Based on authorship and subject treatment.
    - Single/Multi-Volume: Based on physical length and pagination.
    - Reference Books: For quick facts and background information.

6.5 TERTIARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• Serve as keys to primary and secondary sources, distilling information from them.

• Examples include bibliographies of bibliographies and directories.

6.6 ELECTRONIC SOURCES

• Publications requiring computer access, which can be either offline (stored on media like CDs) or online (accessible via the Internet).

6.6.1 Advantages of Electronic Sources

• Faster updates, broader access, and simultaneous usage by multiple individuals.

• Multimedia capabilities and reduced storage needs for libraries.

6.6.2 Limitations of Electronic Sources

• Require costly infrastructure and certain computer literacy.

• Licensing agreements can restrict usage, and screen reading may be uncomfortable.

This lesson covers six types of information sources, their content, utility, examples, as well as their advantages and limitations in both print and electronic forms.

6 Types of Information Sources

6.3 Primary Sources

• Contain original information and raw data including periodicals, newspapers, reports, and patents.
    - Periodicals: Includes scholarly, trade, popular, and online journals.
       - Scholarly: Peer-reviewed research aimed at scholars.
       - Trade: Industry-specific news written in accessible language.
       - Popular: General interest articles, often lack references.
       - E-Journals: Accessible online with multimedia benefits.
    - Newspapers: Cover current events with various publication frequencies.
    - Technical Reports: Research documents detailing specific studies.
    - Conference Papers: Compiled research relevant to conference themes.
    - Dissertations: Original research documented for academic qualifications.
    - Patents: Protect inventions and document new developments.
    - Standards: Guidelines ensuring product quality and consistency.
    - Trade Bulletins: Industry-specific product information.

6.4 Secondary Sources

• Provide condensed information from primary sources, such as secondary periodicals and bibliographies.
    - Secondary Periodicals: Indexing and abstracting journals.
    - Bibliographies: Systematic document listings on shared subjects.
    - Books: Structured texts that include various genres and formats.

6.5 Tertiary Sources

• Serve as access keys to primary and secondary sources.

6.6 Electronic Sources

• Publications needing computer access, which can be online or offline.
    - Advantages: Quick updates, broader access, and multimedia capabilities.
    - Limitations: Require infrastructure and have usage restrictions.