Online Reference Books
Online reference books are useful to get a feel for your topic, especially if you are not sure if you need to narrow it down. All of the sources that are compiled in the databases listed below are print books that have been digitized and put in a searchable format. They contain general, neutral information (not argumentative) that is similar to what you'd find on Wikipedia, but it's a bit more reliable because it cannot be edited by users.
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SAGE Reference & Academic Ebooks This link opens in a new window
Selected Ebooks and reference sources from SAGE.
Subjects: Many subjects, including African American Studies, Anthropology, Business Ethics, Communication, Criminology, Economics, Education, Gender Studies, History, Politics, Psychology, Social Issues, Social Work, Sociology.
Info type: encyclopedia articles, ebooks -
Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
Search and display the full-text of reference books.
Subjects: Many subjects, including History, Education, Film, Health, Science, Social Science
Info type: encyclopedia and reference book entries.
List of sources.
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More Online Reference Sources from the LibraryThis EMU Library page offers links to reliable online published reference sources. Don't forget to use the Library Catalog to search for reference books on the shelf, too!
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Reference BooksSkilled researchers know that when starting a new topic, a good reference source or two can put the topic in context and suggest ways to organize your questions. Search for reference books in Esearch. Start a search using keywords, and then in the advanced search interface or on the left column of search results, select Content Type: Book / eBook. For reference sources, click More... and select Content Type: Reference and be sure to click "Apply" at the top of the column.
