Reference sources are things where you can find quick facts or overview about any topic. It is basically the background information, which can help you determine which types of information you will need.
This is usually the first step of the research process. Complete your reference research before you use EBSCO or any of the library's databases for finding more detailed sources like books and journal articles. And always come back to this step as you learn more about your topic.
Use reference sources to:
Examples of references source include, but not limited to,
It depends on what you need! You can also click on the links to be redirected to resources available through our library.
| What do you need? | Look here |
|---|---|
| A starting point | A multipurpose source (i.e. CREDO) |
| Background information | Encyclopedia |
| A definition | Dictionary |
| Information on a person or group of people | Biographies or other biographical sources |
| Data, numbers, or facts | Almanacs, Yearbooks, Other statistics |
| Information on a place | Atlases, Maps, Gazetters (geographical indices) |
| Practical information or an overview | Handbooks, Manuals, Guides, etc. |
| Suggestions? | Bibliographies, Other references sources |
Based on the Background Reference Sources LibGuide from Simon Fraser University.
