REFERENCE BOOK

RESHMA.S.S
NATURAL SCIENCE

Introduction
Reference books are designed for assessing specific facts of information and can take the form of indexes,
dictionaries, encyclopedia, bibliographies, almanacs, directories, hand books etc. Reference books are
effective aids to learning. Students must be given training in the use of reference books. The utility of the
reference materials depends on the extent it is used, the frequency of its use and the guidance provided to
pupils. Reference books have so many advantages. It supplements classroom instruction. It instructs in the
pupils self study habits and spirit of self effort. It helps the pupils to workout assignment.
Content
Reference Material
Reference materials are sources of information (databases, distracts, journals, books etc) which
are used for answering inquires in a library. Such items are not normally lent, but consulted only on the
premises.
Reference materials are of different types. They are
i)

Encyclopedia
They gave background information and overviews of a particular subject
person or event. They can be subject specific or general in shape.
a. General encyclopedias
Cover a wide range of copies in the form of short articles written by knowledgeable experts.
Due to the number of topics covered, the information contained in such volumes has limited
depth but gives enough information to provide keywords and possible sources for further
research. Historically, general encyclopedias were alphalibized and printed in multivolume
sets to be included in schools of all levels. More contemporary verses like Encyclopedia
Britannica are available online and regularly updated by content experts.
b. Subject-specific Encyclopedias
If youre looking for depth on a topic or subject beyond what a general encyclopedia offers,
then a subject specific encyclopedia is your best bet. For instance, if you look up astronomy
in a general encyclopedia, you will get some basic information on the history of astronomy
and specific disciplines of the science. However, if you reference a subject specific
encyclopedia in this area, you can learn about the topics like dark matter and supernovas in
much great detail. This encyclopedia also include bibliographies that help you track down
specific books and articles related to your field of research. Many university libraries carry in
print and online versions of subject specific encyclopedias like the encyclopedias of
astronomy and astrophysics and the Cambridge Encyclopedia of astronomy and the Grolier
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.

(ii)News Letter
A news letter is regularly distributed publication that is generally about one main topic of interest
to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets we type of newsletters. Eg: Newsletters are distributed at
schools to inform parents about things that happen in that school.

(iii) Magazine
Magazine are publications, usually periodical publications, that are pointed or electronically
published. [The online versions are called online magazines]. They are generally published on a regular
schedule and contain a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price,
by prepaid subscriptions or a combination of the there.
(iv) Journal
A journal is a solely provided aimed at specialists and researchers. Articles are generally written by
experts in the subject, using more technical language. They certain original research, conclusions based
on data, footnotes or endnotes, and often an abstract or bibliography.
Eg : The journal of physical chemistry. The chancier Review,
The Milbank quarterly and Labor History
Advantages :

It stimulates scientific interest in pupils

Supplements and integrates the classroom learning
Inculcates self study habits and promotes independent thinking.
Strengthens linguistic ability.
Develop literacy tastes.

Conclusion :
Reading of supplementary readers is a method of introducing students to up to date information and
of meeting varied needs and interests of pupils. It stimulates additional reading in the same or related
topic, this develops initiation and self direction. Development of critical attitude in pupils and intellectual
potentialities is made possible through supplementary readers. It extends and depends their scientific
interest and cultivates scientific attitude.
Reference
Dr.T.T.Joseph (1995) , modern trends in science education, published by Mrs. Kunjamma Joseph
for the author ( 9th edition ),pp:273-278.
Dr.K.Sivarajan & Prof.A.Faziluddin , science education methodology of teaching and
pedagogic analysis,pp;236-240.