Are you beginning research on a topic new or unfamiliar to you?
If so,
an excellent way to begin is to consult an encyclopedia.
Encyclopedic Sources
The ideal starting place if
you are a non-specialist on your topic. They will typically provide:
- an overview and background information on a topic
- the established knowledge on a topic
- the most important facts about a topic
- the key figures, places, or events related to your
topic
- a list of recommended readings on a topic
Benefits & Considerations
Benefits
- They have gone through an editorial process
- They are often written by specialists in the field
- They do not use jargon
- They tend to be short and concise
Considerations
- They are intended as an overview and are not the best source for
up to date developments
- They are not a complete look at the scholarship and research on
a topic
- They are a good starting point and a great place to establish keywords
and research leads
Reference Universe
Reference Universe is a searchable database that indexes information from specialized
subject encyclopedias. It does not include the full text of reference
materials but will point you to reference sources that cover your
topic. It searches both the titles of reference articles as well as
the encyclopedia / dictionary indexes, providing a thorough level of
access to materials and potential sources. CU
SEARCH your topic in Reference Universe, enter your topic in the search box below:
Watch a quick tutorial on how
to use this resource!
Research & Subject Guides
Subject Guides
There are numerous subject-specific research guides available that list core recommended resources. These guides often point to encyclopedias and other reference sources.
Chinook is the catalog for materials owned by the CU Libraries. There are two ways to search Chinook, the library catalog, for
encyclopedias:
By Keyword
EXAMPLE: [your topic keyword] AND encyclop*
NOTE: You may also try searching dictionary, handbook, or guide
By Subject Heading
Choose to search by LC Subject Heading and enter:
[subject heading]-Dictionaries
[subject heading]-Encyclopedias
[subject heading]- [Geographic subdivision]-Dictionaries
[subject heading]- [Geographic subdivision]-Encyclopedias
EXAMPLE:
Immigrants
-- Encyclopedias
Immigrants
-- United States -- Encyclopedias
