Reference sources are a great place to begin your research because they give a general overview of a topic.
Reference sources provide quick facts and background information.
They include dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, and directories, and are available in both print and online formats.
Use reference sources at the beginning of a research project to:
Build background knowledge
Identify key terms for searching
Find citations to other sources
Verify information from other sources
Note: Reference sources are for background research only and should not be cited in your final paper. Learn more about using reference sources for research.
Visit the library to explore print reference materials, or try these online sources:
Read It (Great for English Language Learners)
Simple Wikipedia (Great for English Language Learners)
World Book Online (Access through Clever)