Encyclopedias Background Sources Research Guides At University Of

Leo Migdal

-Dec 7, 2025, 3:45 PM

encyclopedias background sources research guides at university of

Reference sources are extremely useful for providing authoritative overviews and background information on a topic. They will give you the terminology and the key names, dates and concepts that can be used when conducting online searches for scholarly articles, books, as well as for searching for primary sources and... Many reference sources also provide extensive bibliographies that list the important and influential scholarship on a given topic. USC Libraries has several online collections of Reference books (all require login): USC has hundreds of reference books, most of which are located in Doheny Library's Los Angeles Times Reference Room. There are several ways to search for reference/background sources on your topic:

1) In the USC Libraries main search box, conduct a keyword search that includes the type of resource you're looking for: Email: reference-flint@umich.edu Phone: (810) 762-3400 Text message: (810) 407-5434 (text messages only) Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates to broader, narrower, and related issues. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your later research.

If you can't find an article on your topic, try using broader terms and ask for help from a librarian. The databases listed below are good places to find general information. The library's print reference collection can also be useful and is located on the third floor of the library. Login to access library resources off-campus. Are you beginning research on a topic new or unfamiliar to you? If so, an excellent way to begin is to consult an encyclopedia, the ideal starting place if you are a non-specialist on your topic.

They will typically provide: an overview and background information on a topic, the established knowledge on a topic, the most important facts about a topic, the key figures, places, or events related to your... Try searching: "your topic keyword" AND encyclop* You may also try searching dictionary, handbook, or guide. Encyclopedias help you figure out the who, what & where of a topic. Knowing the who, what & where of a topic is the first step in researching a topic and discovering the "how" and "why". Encyclopedias and dictionaries can provide background information and can be used to identify key people, events and dates which can then be used as search terms for finding additional information. Many also provide a jumpstart on your research by listing related readings.

Major encyclopedia: Oxford Research Encyclopedia: American History Two online encyclopedia collections: Gale Ebooks & Oxford Reference Online Handbooks and companions can provide a survey of the state of research about a topic or region, historiography or a concise overview of issues. Before you begin a research project, it can be a good idea to compile background information on your topic. Background information can provide: Explore the library's research guides for even more resources.

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When getting started with your research, it is a good idea to get a general overview of a topic or gather background information. This information can help you decide if the topic really is in line with your thinking, and whether you want to continue researching in that subject area. Background information may include facts, historical figures, timelines, definitions, origins, theories, events, and more. Reference resources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks) are the most authoritative sources for locating general or background information. library@up.edu | 503.943.7111 or 800.841.8261 | 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203-5798 Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) University of Portland, All Rights Reserved | Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

"The whole purpose of any encyclopedia article is to provide a concise overview of generally "established" knowledge on its topic, written for a nonspecialist audience, with a brief bibliography of highly recommended sources for... And there are literally thousands of such [specialized] encyclopedias. (Don't be misled by the word "Dictionary" in the title of many of these sets; in library terminology it refers simply to the alphabetical arrangement of articles, not to their length, and so it... Source: The Oxford Guide to Library Research, p. 3-4. General and subject-specific encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks are a great place to begin your research.

Use them to find topic overviews, definitions, facts, and dates and to fill in context on the subject you are studying. A selection of Brill Online Reference Works. The GC Library subscribes to a few titles (which have a green icon next to them on the front page): Use the Library of Congress Classification system to find the call number for your subject area. Then, browse the reference shelves in the library to discover encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other authoritative sources on your topic. Background information can help you learn more about your topic and develop your research question and approach.

Common examples of background information sources are dictionaries, encyclopedias, and bibliographies. You may find these sources either as individual books or ebooks by searching our library catalog, or through a library database. Background information usually adds one or more of the following benefits to your research process: For best results, seek background information early in the research process. That way, you can use what you learn about foundational concepts to make changes to your research question or plan for next steps. Background information sources may contain information on many topics from multiple disciplines.

You're probably already familiar with one source for general background information, Wikipedia. Encyclopedias are highly recommended as a starting point for your research on a particular topic. Encyclopedias will give you introductory information to help you broaden or narrow your topic, while also providing keywords and terms needed to conduct further research. Many students use Wikipedia at the beginning of the research process. While information and data found on Wikipedia is easily accesible and often accurate, it should not be cited as source material. Because Wikipedia is an open-source virtual library, almost anyone is allowed to edit and insert information in an article.

Therefore, caution should be used when choosing to use Wikipedia for background information. Whenever possible authorative resources should be consulted to verify the accuracy of any data found on Wikipedia. The following article from Cornell University provides an overview of how to use Wikipedia effectively. Background resources, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, are a good place to start when doing research. Use them to:

Encyclopedias Background Sources Research Guides At University Of

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Reference Sources Are Extremely Useful For Providing Authoritative Overviews And

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If You Can't Find An Article On Your Topic, Try

They Will Typically Provide: An Overview And Background Information On

Major Encyclopedia: Oxford Research Encyclopedia: American History Two Online Encyclopedia