Search the PSU Library Catalog: Encyclopedias

Scholarly reference works are useful for the following:

• An overview of a topic
• Topic ideas for a paper topic or narrowing your topic
• Finding keywords for searches 
• Bibliographies for further research

Reference works are good starting points for research, but are rarely cited in research as secondary sources. 

After initiating a search you can filter your results to show only reference materials (encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks).

To locate the correct filters look under "Refine My Results" on the left of the browser window:

If using a phone or a smaller browser window look for the filter icon:

Under the "Resource Type" section select "Reference Entries" and then click the "Apply Filters" button:

Scholarly subject encyclopedias provide background information about specific topics. Entries or articles, written by scholars or subject experts, include bibliographies or suggested readings that will lead to more information on your topic.

You can use subject encyclopedias to identify keywords for your research in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

To access dictionaries, select this link to the Dictionaries web page that includes the New American Oxford Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary. 

This three-minute video shows how to find background information