abbreviation
A shortened form of a word; a part of a word standing for the whole.

abstract
A brief summary of the content of an article, book, report, or dissertation.

abstracting database
A database that gives the citation of an article in a journal as well as the abstract of the article for identification, location and evaluation.

accuracy
The accuracy of an information source refers to the quality of its content, which should be reliable and error-free. Accuracy is one of the criteria for evaluating an information source.

acknowledge
Give credit to another person’s words, ideas or opinions in the form of a note and/or bibliographic citation.

acronym
A word formed from the initial letters of other words e.g. UN for United Nations.

annual
Published once a year, every year.

archives
A collection of selected materials retained for their permanent value and to ensure their preservation in a recognized repository or place.

article
A brief composition on a topic usually published in a journal, magazine or newspaper.  

author
A writer of a book, essay, story, play, poem or other work. Some works have two or more co-authors. In library catalogues authorship is sometimes attributed to an organisation, conference, symposium, or institution. Other individuals such as editor, playwright, director, composer, performer, or other, may also be considered an author.

authority
The authority of an information source depends on the expertise, reputation and affiliation of the author, and the reputation of the publisher. Authority is one of the criteria for evaluating an information source.