Citations for Research Guides

By Anonymous on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 20:19

Forums

Hi. I'm attempting to cite a few research guides into locality guides that I am creating for my next research trip.

They are:

  1. NGS Research In the States Series: Virginia by Eric G. Grundset
  2. A Guide to Historical Research in Orange County, Virginia  by Ann Miller (booklet published by the Orange County Historical Society)
  3. Various research notes posted online on the Library of Virginia's website (ex: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/rn1_landtax.pdf )

I was unable to find research guides in EE other than governmental research guides that were crafted for NARA guides (13. 42, 13.43, 13.45).

I seem to have 3 different models here: research guide in a series (1), a standalone booklet (2), and those series distributed online (3), and am at a loss here. Although if I knew how to cite #1, I think I could figure out the citation for #3. They would be similar, correct?

I also looked at the series citations 12.85 & 12.86, but since these are not books, I didn't know if my publications would apply.

 

Thanks,

Michele Colson

Submitted byEEon Wed, 02/26/2014 - 17:21

Michele,

There is no one special format for "research guides," just as there is no one special format for, say, "fiction." The basic criteria for print matter is whether it's published as a book (a standalone) or as an article or chapter in a larger publication. With electronically published material we use this same criteria but also considers the media used.

Re your three conundrums:

  1. This small book, issued in print, is part of a series of similar works. EE 12.79 has an example for this very series. The fact that it's a small book ("booklet") doesn't trigger any special handling. The essential elements are all the same. It's Basic Book format, plus data on the series. (EE 12.89, pp. 720-21.)
  2. EE is not familiar with this particular publication, but from the images and descriptions we find online, there would seem to be no reason why it would not be cited by Basic Book format, say: EE QuickCheck Model, p. 646.
  3. This online item is not presented as a book or booklet. It's simply an article at a website—that is, an individually authored piece within a larger publication. That means we would cite it in the same manner as, say, a chapter in a book in which each chapter has a different anuthor. There are many such models throughout all of EE's chapters. If you're using EE's QuickSheet for online sources, you'll find a basic template featured at the top of side 1.

Submitted bymichelecolsonon Fri, 02/28/2014 - 01:54

I understand the distinction you are trying to make now that you have explained it this way. As usual when it comes to citations, I have overthought and overcomplicated it. I know that EE states that citations are part art & part science, but I work in IT and my brain demands a formula:)

Thanks so much for your guidance,

Michele