Why Background Information?
In addition to general introductions to a topic for novices in an area, sources like encyclopedias can be useful for identifying specific areas for focus when your interest in a topic has not yet clarified to a research question. Additionally, they can be useful for identifying terms and phrases that are used by experts in a field for more efficient searching for other source types.
Encyclopedias
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
An online library of hundreds of reference titles for multi-disciplinary research, including texts related to American and world history, biography, health, arts, business, travel, religion, and multicultural studies.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedias This link opens in a new window
Current, peer-reviewed research from more than 25 encylcopedias. This includes the Encyclopedia of Social Work and the Oxford Classical Dictionary.
