Library Glossary

The Library Glossary is a quick-reference guide to help you understand common library-related terms. Whether you're new to academic research or need a refresher, this glossary provides clear definitions to support your work.

A-C

D-F

G-I

J-L

M-P

Q-R

S-Z

D-F

Database

An organized collection of information, such as articles and eBooks. Library databases may contain full-text items or provide citations and abstracts directing you to where the full item can be accessed.

The databases available via Latourette library include 3 EBSCO databases while DTL 2 provides access to over 160 databases.

For more information see: Latourette Library Databases page.

eBook

A digital version of a book that can be read on computers, tablets, e-readers, or other devices.

Fair Use

A legal principle that allows limited use of copyrighted materials without permission, typically for purposes such as criticism, commentary, teaching, or research.

For more information see: Copyright - Fair Use library guide

G-I

Index

A tool—print or digital—that lists citations to articles, books, or other works, organized by subject, author, or keyword. An index does not contain the actual item but directs you to where it can be found.

Information Literacy

The ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically.

Institutional Repository

An online archive that collects, preserves, and provides access to the scholarly and creative works of an institution’s community.

Interdisciplinary

Involving two or more academic disciplines or fields of study to explore a topic, solve a problem, or conduct research. Interdisciplinary work integrates methods, perspectives, and knowledge from different areas to create a more comprehensive understanding.

A-C

Abstract

A brief summary of a book, article, or other work, often included in databases to help users decide if the full item is relevant.

Annotation

A note or comment added to a text to provide explanation or additional information—often seen in bibliographies or citations.

Annotated Bibliography

A list of sources with a summary and evaluation for each entry, used to inform or reflect on research's usefulness or quality.

Article

A written piece found in publications such as journals, magazines, or newspapers. Articles can vary widely in purpose and quality—some are scholarly, written by experts and peer-reviewed, while others may be popular or informative, intended for general audiences. The type of publication an article appears in often determines whether it is considered academic or not.

Attribution

The act of giving credit to the original creator of an idea, work, or piece of information. Attribution is commonly used in informal contexts—like presentations, social media, or creative works—where acknowledging the source is important, but a formal citation may not be required.

While attribution acknowledges the source, it does not follow a specific format like a citation, which is a formal reference used in academic writing.

See also: Citation

Authority

The level of expertise, credibility, or reliability a source or author has on a given topic. In research, determining authority involves evaluating the author's qualifications, the publication source, and the evidence provided. Scholarly sources typically have higher authority because they are written by experts and reviewed by peers.

Bibliographic Record

The information about a library item (e.g., author, title, subject, publication date) stored in a catalog to help users find and access it.

Bibliography

A list of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) used or consulted in the research process. Bibliographies may appear at the end of academic papers or be compiled as standalone reference tools.

Boolean Operators

Words (AND, OR, NOT) used to combine or exclude keywords in search queries or "search strategies" to refine and control search results.

AND: concept one AND concept two (results include both concepts)

OR: concept one OR concept two (results include either concept)

NOT: concept one NOT concept two (results include the first concept but not the second)

J-L

Journal

also known as an academic journal, a scholarly journal, or a periodical. A collection of scholarly and/or peer-reviewed articles written by experts in a specific field.

Journal Article

See Article

Keyword/s

The main concept or idea of a research topic/question. Keywords are short words or phrases used in searching catalogs, databases, or indexes. Keywords are the building blocks of a search strategy, helping you combine and refine terms to locate the most relevant resources efficiently. They are NOT long sentences or questions.

For more information see: Guide to Searching

Library Guide

A curated page or collection of resources created by librarians to help users navigate research, databases, and library services. There are 2 types of library guides: (1) How-To Guides and (2) Subject Guides. How to Guides show you how to do something where as subject guides provide basic information and helpful resources on a specific topic.

Visit the library guide page to see what guides Latouratte Library has to offer.

Literature Review

A structured summary and evaluation of existing research and publications on a specific topic. Literature reviews identify trends, gaps, and key findings in the field and help guide further research. They may be standalone papers or part of a larger research project.

M-P

Magazine

A periodical publication aimed at a general audience, often containing articles, stories, or commentary. Unlike scholarly journals, magazines are usually not peer-reviewed.

Narrowing (Search Strategy)

The process of refining a search to make results more specific and relevant, often by using keywords, filters, or Boolean operators.

Non-scholarly Source

A publication intended for general audiences rather than academic research, such as magazines, newspapers, blogs, or websites without peer review. Non-scholarly sources are NOT ideal for research.

Open Access (OA)

Materials that are freely available online without subscription or payment, allowing anyone to read and use them legally. NOTE: Open Access does not automatically mean that you are able to download, modify, or redistribute a work without permission.

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely accessible and openly licensed, allowing users to legally use, adapt, and share them. OER can include textbooks, course materials, videos, quizzes, and other educational content

Peer Review

A process in which experts in a field evaluate a scholarly work before publication to ensure it meets standards of quality, accuracy, and credibility.

Periodical

A publication issued at regular intervals, such as journals, magazines, or newspapers.

Plagiarism

The act of using someone else’s words, ideas, or work without proper attribution or citation.

Primary Source

An original document or firsthand account of an event, study, or work, such as letters, diaries, interviews, or original research articles.

Public Domain

Creative works whose copyright has expired (U.S., for example, the copyright in a book expires 70 years after the death of its author) or been waived, making them free for public use without permission.

Q-R

Qualitative Research

Research that focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, or phenomena through non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, or texts.

Quantitative Research

Research that involves numerical data, statistics, or measurable outcomes to analyze patterns, relationships, or trends.

Query

A search request entered into a catalog, database, or search engine to find relevant information. Queries often use keywords, phrases, or Boolean operators.

S-Z

Search Strategy

A planned approach to finding information, which includes selecting keywords, using Boolean operators, applying filters, and choosing appropriate databases or catalogs.

For more information see: Guide to Searching

Secondary Source

A work that interprets, analyzes, or summarizes primary sources, such as review articles, textbooks, or critiques.

Subject Heading

A standardized term used to describe the content of a resource, helping users find related materials in catalogs and databases.

Thesis / Dissertation

An extended research paper submitted to fulfill the requirements of an academic degree. A thesis is usually for a master’s degree, while a dissertation is for a doctoral degree.

Truncation

A search technique that uses a symbol (often an asterisk ) to find all forms of a word root (e.g., “educat” finds educate, education, educational).