In article <[log in to unmask]>, on Tue, 30 Jan 2001 at 13:55:05, Sharon Buford <URL: mailto:[log in to unmask]> writes > >I went to the local library (special collections), and looked >in the vertical file. >There is some information there that could be helpful, BUT, 1)the newspaper >articles are copies (not a problem) >2) there is no referance written on them, sourcing "from whence" they came. > >My question is this: 1) can I use these as sources? 2) how do I referance >them? You can use anything as sources of information, but you must judge the reliability of each source by what you know of its origin. It would be difficult to verify the information in an unattributed newspaper cutting, unless it contained references within it to where the information had come from. In turn, you must give your readers the opportunity to judge for themselves the reliability of the information you provide to them. If you refer to such material you should give enough information for someone to check the same source as you used. If all you can say is that it is from a newspaper cutting in a library file, give the name of the library, the heading it is filed under, and any estimate of date (a range of dates if necessary). If an author is mentioned, that name should be given too, of course. The library staff may be able to help, knowing which papers were cut, when the collection was started/finished, whether they obtained it from an outside source and so on. I suggest the latter possibility because library people are normally punctilious about marking cuttings with date, origin and so on. Leonard Will -- Willpower Information (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E Will) Information Management Consultants Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 0092 27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7BQ, UK. Fax: +44 (0)20 8372 0094 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ---------------- <URL:http://www.willpowerinfo.co.uk/> ----------------- ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).