Literature list
The concept "literature list" is a vague concept, used about several different things. Most scientific papers and academic literature contain reference lists (cf., bibliographic reference). They may also contain lists of other kinds of sources used, recommended readings (including lists of required reading in educational programs) and other kinds of bibliographies. A literature list may be an independent document, but is usually a part of a document.
The reference list of a document is a list of all
literature cited in the text. According to scientific norms shall all literature,
which have played a role for the claims of the document be cited and all cited
literature shall be listed and described according to certain
normative rules. Also
shall all references in the reference list be motivated and thus appear in the
text. A reference list is thus not just a added list of literature which is in
some way about the subject of the paper. (See also
reference).
The source list of a paper is a list of the sources, which have been searched,
whatever they have contributed or not. Typically contain bibliographies lists of
the sources, which have been examined. The purpose is to provide the user the
possibility to examine and evaluate the document, and the possibility to search
sources, which have not already been examined.
Lists of recommended literature or recommended readings have quite different
functions compared to reference lists and lists of sources. Such lists are
common in textbooks, general
encyclopedias, and
other forms of intermediating literature. They may be designed for particular
groups, e.g. patients and their family. Lists of recommended literature should
ideally be annotated in order to help the
user decide whether or not the recommended literature is relevant or not and why
it is being recommended. If a list of recommended literature is based upon solid
knowledge of all documents on the subjects, it is more informative to term it
a selective bibliography. A specific kind is the bibliographic
essay).
The concept of recommended literature is related to the concept of canon.
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 02-06-2006