Reference sources are books and e-books that provide general background information; they are great for giving you an overview or an introduction to a topic. They are often the best starting place for your research. Use reference sources to:
The most valuable reference sources for your research will often be encyclopedias: books containing articles (sometimes very short, sometimes more detailed) on a wide variety of subjects. If you have an idea for a topic, and want to find out more about it, or possibly narrow it down, academic encyclopedias are a great place to look, because they provide authoritative, reliable background information which is:
They also often provide suggested further reading on your topic, which can help you continue your research.
So as you get started with your research topic, try looking in a reference source!
The library has several online collections of reference sources which allow you to search across hundreds of different reference e-books to find articles related to your topic.
Use this box to search the library's online reference collections using OneSearch:
While most of the library's reference sources are available online, we also have a number of print reference books. These books are:
If you're looking for a print reference book related to your topic, you can browse this collection, or ask a librarian for help!
Wikipedia is an example of a free online reference source-- it's popular because it's so broad and easy to use.
But it's often not a great source to use in academic writing, because:
So, many professors will ask that you not cite Wikipedia in your assignments or cite it only as a last resort.
The library's reference sources aim to provide background information like that found in Wikipedia, but from sources you can confidently cite and use in your paper.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532