Where can I find background information on my topic?
Answer
Reference sources are often consulted for facts, overviews, and broad summaries of a topic. Examples of reference sources include encylcopedias, dictionaries, atlases, biographies, and handbooks.
Try these library databases to find reference information on a particular topic:
- MasterFile Complete (EBSCOhost) - contains more than 850 reference books. Includes image collections of photos, maps and flags.
- Britannica Academic - A collection of approximately 20,000 e-books covering a wide range of subjects, including literature, history, science, and technology.
- Gale eBooks - A digital library of reference books for multi-disciplinary research, covering topics such as American and world history, biography, health, arts, business, travel, religion, and multicultural studies. It also includes Artemis Literary Sources, which offer information on authors and their works, literary movements, and genres.
- Very Short Introductions (Oxford University Press) - Offers brief and authoritative assessments of various subjects, including concepts, fields, and bodies of work. With over 700 titles and ongoing development, this series provides a current and engaging introduction to a wide range of topics.