Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Welcome to the Dictionaries and Encyclopedias Lib Guide! This guide serves as your starting point, helping you quickly find the information needed to begin research effectively. Whether you need to define an unfamiliar term, gain better understanding of a topic, or dive into more specialized topics, dictionaries and encyclopedias are great tools. This guide provides a selection of resources to assist you in your research journey.

Key Features in This Guide 

• General Encyclopedias
• Subject Specific Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
• Tips for Effective Searching

Dictionaries and encyclopedias are powerful tools that can enhance the research process, specifically when starting out or needing clarity. They serve as resources for defining terms, or gaining background knowledge on a field of study. 

When to use them: 

• Beginning your research
• Building background knowledge
• Defining key terms
• Exploring potential topics
• Understanding different perspectives

How to use the effectively:

• Start with general resources 
• View subject specific resources
• Use of cross referencing
• Note Keywords
• Use of library databases

 Take a moment to watch the video below to learn more about when and how to effectively use these resources