Glossary of Terms

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Abstract:

A summary of an item, usually an article on a database. An abstract is often only a paragraph in length, and is useful for deciding whether an item is relevant to your research topic and if the full-text of the article needs to be located.



Acronym:

An abbreviation formed from the first letters of a series of words. Eg. UWS stands for University of Western Sydney.


Almanac:

An annually published calendar of facts, data, statistics and other reference information on a certain subject area or thing. For example, an almanac can contain useful information about countries such as language, currency, population, history and politics.


Alternative term:

Other possible term.


Annotation:

A brief overview of an information resource. Citation information is listed, followed by an evaluation of the item by the researcher. Annotations should include a description, critical analysis, and a summary (abstract) of the item. Annotations (or an annotated bibliography) are sometimes required as part of a research assignment. While abstracts are written by the author or publisher, annotations are usually written by the student or researcher themselves.


Annual Report:

A yearly document published by companies and organisations in which they report on their performance over the past financial year and make projections about their business for the year ahead.



Archive:

An archive stores documents and files, both hardcopy and electronic, to be retrieved later. Items are archived if they have some long-term value such as historical or legal importance.



Article:

Writing on a specific topic or subject found in a journal, magazine or newspaper



Audio-visual (AV) materials:

Items published in non-print format. The Library has AV items such as music compact discs, video cassettes, audio tapes and DVD's in its collections.


Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS):

National government organization that collects, analyses and makes available in reports, tables and other formats statistical data on all facets of Australian life and society, including census material.