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This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new windowUsing encyclopedias in the early stages of the research process is a strategy that will help you save time and make your life easier!
Encyclopedia articles are condensed topic overviews. You can get great background information and context for your later research.
Encyclopedia articles provide clues to search terms (keywords) that will help you focus on your topic and that you can use in database searches. Good search results depends on the search terms that you use.
Your instructor may say that encyclopedias are not an acceptable source. This means that you need additional sources for your research, not that you can't use encyclopedias. Use them! They are credible sources.
General encyclopedias cover all topics. Encyclopedia Britannica is a general encyclopedia. GVRL and Credo contain general and specialized encyclopedias.
A specialized encyclopedia is usually limited to a specific topic or range of topics within an area of interest such as medicine or business.
GVRL and Credo are reference databases that have both general and specialized encyclopedias.
