A good reference book should be reliable, valid, and suited to both its subject matter and its consumer’s needs. For an educational topic like biology, factors such as professional authenticity are particularly important. When choosing a biology dictionary, you should therefore seek a manual with professional authorship and backing by educational outlets. On a personal level, you should consider how comprehensive of a dictionary you want, and in what format you prefer perusing information. Individual publishing offerings can perhaps best be compared and contrasted via online consumer reviews.
Dictionaries are reference books that typically contain definitions for words, although they sometimes contain additional information as well. While many traditional dictionaries cover a wide range of subjects, increasing numbers of publishers have begun offering specialty dictionaries that emphasize one particular topic. The most effective biology dictionaries will thus focus on words relating to the study of living things and the processes that sustain life. Such books or manuals usually specifically contain the word biology somewhere on the front cover.
Credibility is an important component in choosing any reference book, and a few factors can bolster the credentials of a biology dictionary. For one, the text should be composed by individuals with a strong professional background, such as biologists or holders of an advanced degree in biology studies. Respected reference books like biology dictionaries also tend to be readily used by educators. If the book has a history as a textbook, then chances are it is held in higher-than-average esteem by biology instructors. In addition, a popular and frequently used reference book will often be updated frequently, so a biology dictionary that is in a third or fourth edition has usually survived the test of time.
Individuals often desire diversity in learning experiences, so biology dictionary manufacturers can meet these needs by offering supplementary study materials like CDs and DVDs. If you are more comfortable on a computer, you might even prefer an all-electronic biology dictionary. These materials might be available in the aforementioned forms, or they might be part of a biology-oriented website. Electronic dictionaries have a few advantages, such as the availability of video content and access to message boards and other interactive methods. Further, while some websites do implement usage fees, many online dictionary collections are available free of charge.
A biology dictionary should match your knowledge needs as well. Some dictionaries might cover limited biology topics like human anatomy. Others might offer more comprehensive topics ranging from plant function to natural selection. Generally speaking, the larger the document, the more material it will cover. All-encompassing biology dictionaries should still organize information in an easily accessible manner, however, either via subject divisions, alphabetization, or a combination of both. A good index that allows quicker access of information can also help.
You may need a biology dictionary tailored toward a specific biology course or exam. For example, if you are in an AP biology course, you will need an AP biology prep book, which will include a glossary of biology terms that are relevant to the AP biology exam and can help you prepare for the test. Similarly, you can find biology dictionaries that prepare you for medical school exams and other relevant biology fields online or in bookstores.
Like other advanced dictionaries, a higher-end biology dictionary will also likely contain information besides simple definitions. Pronunciations, translation, and etymology, or word origins, are some examples of extra information that can prove useful in a dictionary. As biology is a sometimes complex subject, a quality reference manual might further benefit from charts, diagrams, and illustrations.