Finding Background Information
When getting started with your research, it can be helpful to browse encyclopedia entries. These entries tend to be brief, yet broad, and can introduce you to your research topic. Encyclopedia entries are also helpful for developing keywords, which you can use in article databases or OneSearch (the library catalog).
Online Resources
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Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
Oxford Reference Online contains 100+ dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works published by Oxford University press.
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Oxford Art Online This link opens in a new window
Oxford Art Online enables access and cross-search functionality to Grove and Oxford reference content in one location. Provides access to Grove Art Online, The Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, The Oxford Companion to Western Art, and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms. Includes image partnerships with ARTstor, the British Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Images for College Teaching, Art Resource, Artists Rights Society and numerous international art galleries and artists.
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Daily Life Databases (America, Pop Culture, Indian, Latino, etc) This link opens in a new windowComprehensive, cross-disciplinary resource that supports history, social studies, English, and language students, Daily Life moves from past to present, providing context for contemporary life and culture. Lesson plans are included that explore everyday life, past and present in every geographic area.
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Encyclopaedia Britannica This link opens in a new windowFull text of the 32-volume Encyclopedia Britannica (additional articles and images not available in the print set); Merriam Webster's Dictionary; over 130,000 links to web sites selected, rated, and reviewed by Britannica editors. Other resources include country comparisons and data analysis; history timeline; brief biographies; as well as articles from the New York Times and the BBC.
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Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new windowOffers an online collection of reference materials including encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. Formerly known as Gale Virtual Reference Library.
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Pop Culture Universe This link opens in a new windowIncludes more than 250 volumes of reviewed material, images, lesson plans, overviews and more about American and world pop culture and history.