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Research Basics

Reference Sources

Reference sources are information sources that provide background information or summaries on a topic. Examples of reference sources include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, and directories.

While reference sources are not typically considered scholarly sources, they can be valuable in research as they can provide a broad overview of a topic, identify key concepts, and provide a starting point for further research. Reference sources are particularly useful for getting a general understanding of a topic, or for identifying important terms, concepts, or names related to the topic.

However, it's important to keep in mind that reference sources are not usually based on original research and are not typically subject to peer-review. Therefore, they may not always be completely accurate or up-to-date, and should be used with caution. It is always important to corroborate information found in reference sources with other, more reliable sources such as peer-reviewed articles or books before using it in research papers.

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