Annotated bibliography - A list of sources that gives the publication information and a short description — or annotation — for each source. In some bibliographies the annotation merely describes the content and scope of the source; in others the annotation also evaluates the source’s quality and usefulness.

Bibliography - (1) A list of sources, usually appearing at the end of a research paper, an article, a book, or a chapter in a book. The list documents evidence used in the work and points out sources that might be useful for further research. Each entry provides publication information for each source so that an interested reader can track down the source. (2) A list of recommended readings on a given topic, usually sorted into subcategories.

Boolean operators - The words and, or, and not used in databases or search engines to relate the contents of two or more sets of data in different ways. When search terms are combined with and, the search results contain only those items that include all the terms. When or is used, the results include items that contain any one of the terms. Not is used to exclude items containing a term.

Call number - The letter and number combination that indicates where a book is kept on a library’s shelves. Call numbers are assigned using a system that locates books on the same subject next to one another for easy browsing. Most academic libraries use the Library of Congress (LC) system; public libraries typically use the Dewey decimal system.

Catalog - A database containing information about the materials owned by a library and their location. Most catalogs are online, though a library may have all or part of its catalog on cards. Catalogs usually can be searched by author, title, subject heading, or keyword; search results provide a basic description of the item (book, journal title, video, or other) and a call number.

Citation - A reference to a book, article, Web page, or other source that provides enough information to allow a reader to retrieve the source. Citations in a paper must be given in a standard format (such as MLA, APA, Chicago, or CSE), depending on the discipline in which the paper is written.

Cite - (1) As a verb, to provide a reference to a source. (2) As a noun, a shortened form of citation. (Note: This term is frequently misused when referring to Web sites.)

Creative commons - Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright. They provide free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use commercially, or any combination thereof. If you see a Creative Commons logo - click on it. It will tell you the extent of the rights given you by the copyright holder.

Database - A collection of data organized for retrieval. In libraries, databases usually contain references to sources retrievable by a variety of means. Databases may contain bibliographic citations, descriptive abstracts, full-text documents, or a combination.

Digital image - A digital image is a visual work stored in binary code (bits and bytes). Examples include bitmapped images (encoded as a series of bits and bytes each representing a particular pixel or part of the image) and vector graphics (encoded as equations and/or algorithms representing lines and curves). An analog image collection is an assemblage of analog visual images systematically maintained by an educational institution for educational purposes in the form of slides, photographs, or other stand-alone visual media. A pre-existing analog image collection is one in existence as of [December 31, 1996]. A newly acquired analog visual image is one added to an institution's collection after [December 31, 1996].

Direct Quote - This is when you copy, word for word, anything the author has written. You MUST use quotation marks to show these are NOT your words but someone else’s.

Fair Use - In its most general sense, a fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and "transformative" purpose such as to comment upon, criticize or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Hits - (1) The list of results called up by a search of a database, a Web site, or the Internet.
index (2) In a book, the alphabetical listing of topics and the pages on which information about them can be found. The index is located at the back of the book. (2) A publication that lists articles or other publications by topic. (3) An alphabetical listing of elements that can be found in a database.

In-text citation - See Parenthetical Citation

Keyword - A word used to search a library database, a Web site, or the Internet. Keyword searches locate results by matching the search word to an item in the medium being searched. Keyword searches often search very broadly through many database fields. However, researchers who perform a keyword search using terms that are different from those used in the database may not retrieve all of the information in the database related to their topic. For example, a search using the keyword third world will find items containing that term but may not include related items using the term developing countries.

MLA - Modern Language Association. The citation format adopted for use by Wake County Schools and Wakefield High School

Note card - A card (virtual or actual) on which to take notes (paraphrased information, direct quotations, or original ideas).

Paraphrase - This is used in note taking to restate the material, from a source, in your own words. You read a section of the material, close the source, and write what you recall. Then go back to the source for exact details. A sentence that is paraphrased also needs a parenthetical reference.

Parenthetical citation- Documentation of information obtained from a source that references an item on the works cited page. The citation (usually author and page number) is placed inside of parentheses.

Plagarism - the use or close imitation of the language, thoughts or work of another author without documentation, and the representation of them as one's own original work.

Primary Source - These are the actual survey, research, and interview results reported on by the person conducting this gathering of information. These may include, but are not limited to, novels, poetry, diaries, letters, historical documents, and surveys.
• Example: You are using a Newsweek magazine. In an article, the writer includes a survey created from information the author has gathered. This Newsweek article is now considered a Primary Source.

Reference - (1) A source used in research and mentioned by a researcher in a paper or an article. (2) In libraries, a part of the library’s collection that includes encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, and other publications that are useful for finding overviews of information and facts. (Note: Reference may also indicate a desk or counter where librarians provide assistance to researchers.)

Research - a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding.

Secondary Source - These resources are any articles, books, magazines, and encyclopedias, which mention, explain, report on, or interpret the findings of other authors and researchers.
• Example: You are using a Newsweek magazine. In an article, the writer uses material
from a survey conducted by the University of Chicago. This Newsweek is now considered a Secondary Source. If you were to use the original survey from the University of Chicago, you would be using a primary source.

Source - A source is any book, newspaper, magazine, website, or person that is used to find information for your topic.

Source Cards - Each separate source used in the paper is listed on an individual note card, (either digital or paper.) The format used is the same as the Works Cited entry.

Subscription database - A database that can be accessed only by paying a fee. Most of the online materials that libraries provide free to their patrons are paid for by the library through a subscription. Often the material provided in a subscription database is more selective and quality controlled than sources that are freely available on the Web. Because these databases are often provided through a license agreement, they are sometimes referred to as licensed databases.

Thesis statement - tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. It
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

Works cited - A listing of articles, books, dissertations and other works that are quoted or paraphrased in an article or paper. The works cited MUST be included as the last page of your paper.