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Why Reference Materials?
You may ask, "Why would I use an encyclopedia, dictionary, or other reference materials for my research?".
- Reference materials can provide background information.
- They can also be a good place to start when you are beginning research in an area you are unfamiliar with.
- Start your research by scanning a reference book to generate ideas about how to narrow or search for your topic.
- You'll find keywords and related topics for your search strategy. You might even create an initial outline.
- Reference articles usually offer additional resources in a bibliography you can use to track down more information!
- Credo Reference (Infobase) This link opens in a new windowCredo Reference provides access to a large number of encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri and other reference books. Subjects covered include art, biography, history, literature, music, religion, and science and technology.
- Gale eBooks (Gale/Cengage) This link opens in a new windowA database of electronic encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. The ebooks are trusted, authoritative, and fully searchable online.
- Ebook Central (ProQuest) This link opens in a new windowThis easy-to-use database offers over 80,000 scholarly eBooks in all academic disciplines. Books may be read on your computer or downloaded to an android, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
- EBSCO eBooks (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
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Offers over 125,000 eBooks in subjects including art, business and economics, education, language arts and literature, medicine, performing arts, philosophy, poetry, political science, religion, social science, and technology.
