Encyclopedias
Like Wikipedia (the free online encyclopedia), the Library's academic encyclopedias offer background information on thousands of topics to get you started with your research. Edited and authored by academics and scholars, the Library's encyclopedias provide information that is appropriate to cite in your research paper.
Multi-Subject Encyclopedia Collections
- Gale eBooksA great place to begin your research, Gale eBooks offers thousands of authoritative articles published in academic encyclopedias, and written by subject experts. Gale eBooks provides information you can not only trust, but cite in a paper as well. Formerly called GVRL: Gale Virtual Reference Library.
- SAGE KnowledgeMore than 300 encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
- Oxford ReferenceMore than 300 dictionaries and encyclopedias covering multiple subjects. Choose between "Quick Reference" and in-depth "Reference Library" titles.
Subject Encyclopedias: Arts and Humanities
- Brill's Encyclopedia of HinduismBrill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism presents the latest research on all the main aspects of the Hindu traditions. Its essays are original work written by the world’s foremost scholars on Hinduism. The encyclopedia aims at a balanced and even-handed view of Hinduism, recognizing the divergent perspectives and methods in the academic study of a religion that is both an ancient historical tradition and a flourishing tradition today
- Dictionary of Literary Biography"The most important thing about a writer is his writing. Accordingly, the entries in DLB are career biographies, tracing the development of the author's canon and the evolution of his reputation."
- Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its ReceptionEBR offers the current state of knowledge on the origins and development of the Bible in Judaism and Christianity. EBR also documents the history of the Bible's reception in the Christian churches and the Jewish Diaspora; in Islam, in other religious traditions, as well as in literature, art, music, and film.
- International Encyclopedia of DanceWith nearly 2,000 articles written by scholars from fifty countries, the Encyclopedia covers the full spectrum of dance—theatrical, ritual, dance-drama, folk, traditional, ethnic, and social dance. Cultural and national overviews are accompanied by entries on dance forms, music and costumes, performances, and biographies of dancers and choreographers.
- Music Online: The Garland Encyclopedia of World MusicMusic Online: The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music is the first comprehensive online resource devoted to music research of all the world's peoples. More than 9,000 pages of material, combined with entries by more than 700 expert contributors from all over the world, make this the most complete body of work focused on world music.
- Oxford Art OnlineAuthoritative articles on all aspects of the visual arts: painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture, decorative arts, and photography.
- Oxford Classical Dictionary (4th ed.)Written by distinguished scholars from around the world, OCD covers all aspects of the classical world from literature and history to religion, science, and archaeology.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and PerformanceThis encyclopedia provides authoritative and up-to-date information about theatre and performance from ancient Greek theatre to the latest developments in London, Paris, New York, and around the globe. In addition to performances in playhouses, it covers dance, opera, radio, film, television, and popular performance, including carnivals, circus, and public executions. Entries range from short definitions of terms to lengthy considerations of genres and movements.
- Oxford History of Western MusicThe Oxford History of Western Music online offers an unmatched account of the evolution of Western classical music by one of the most prominent and provocative musicologists of our time, Richard Taruskin.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: American HistoryAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: LiteratureAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- Qurʾānic Studies OnlineQurʾānic Studies Online consists of the Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān, the Dictionary of Qurʾanic Usage, and the Qurʾān Concordance, all of which can be search together.
- Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyOpen access encyclopedia maintained by scholarly experts in philosophy. Gleeson Library is a Full Contributor supporting the encyclopedia.
Subject Encyclopedias: Social Sciences
- Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology OnlineThe Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology is the reference for students, researchers, librarians, and academics in the field. This ground-breaking project brings together specially commissioned entries written and edited by an international team of the world's best scholars and teachers. With over 1800 entries / 3.5 million words it will define the discipline of sociology for years to come.
- Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal JusticeComprising over 500 entries on the essential topics and informed by the latest theory and research, this innovative reference resource offers a state-of-the-art survey of the fields of criminology and criminal justice. It combines this breadth of coverage with the authority and international perspective of an experienced editorial team, creating a definitive reference resource for students, scholars, and professionals.
- International Encyclopedia of Intercultural CommunicationAddresses issues, theories, and concepts that have substantively contributed to the development of intercultural communication theory and research. Five themes of intercultural communication: cross-cultural communication, cultural communication, intergroup communication, intercultural training, and critical intercultural communication, address issues of ethnicity and race in intercultural communication as an integral part of each thematic area. This encyclopedia features the perspective of communication scholars as well as cross-cultural psychology, cultural anthropology, and social psychology.
- Oxford African American Studies CenterThe Oxford African American Studies Center combines the authority of carefully edited reference works with sophisticated technology to create the most comprehensive collection of scholarship available online to focus on the lives and events which have shaped African American and African history and culture.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in Contemporary Politics, Law, and Social MovementsProvides a comprehensive source of information on the diverse historical and contemporary experiences of Latinos and Latinas in the United States.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: CommunicationAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: EducationAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: PoliticsAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language TeachingThe TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching explores the theoretical and practical aspects of English language instruction by providing an essential, go-to reference resource for educators, professionals, researchers, and students world-wide. Over 750 entries written by leading practitioners and scholars from around the globe reflect the collaborative efforts of a truly international team of editors and advisory board members.
- Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of GlobalizationCovers the essential topics in the study of globalization, including agency-structure, Americanization, anti-globalization, Bretton Woods, coca-colonization, empire, Euro crisis, ethnic cleansing, exploitation, feminization of poverty, genocide, global warming, nation-state, neo-liberalism, oil, post-globalization, Qaedaism, rape, sex work, sport, terror, transnational corporations, Twitter Revolution, water crisis, Web 2.0, Wikileaks, World Social Forum and Zapatistas.
- Wiley StatsRef: Statistics Reference OnlineWiley StatsRef: Statistics Reference Online is a comprehensive online reference resource which covers the fundamentals and applications of statistics in all fields where it is widely used. It is aimed at advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers of statistics, and for experienced researchers entering a new part of the field for the first time.
Subject Encyclopedias: Sciences
- Comprehensive PhysiologyAuthoritative and comprehensive collection of physiology information covering reference materials and key developments in the field.
- eLS: Citable Reviews in Life ScienceseLS features over 5,000 specially commissioned, peer-reviewed and citable articles in the life sciences. eLS articles are written by leaders in the field to provide comprehensive and authoritative coverage of each subject area.
- Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical TechnologyPresents a wide scope of articles on chemical substances—including their properties, manufacturing, and uses. It also focuses on industrial processes and unit operations in chemical engineering, as well as covering fundamentals and scientific subjects related to the field. Additionally, environmental and health issues concerning chemical technology are also addressed.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia: Global Public HealthAn encyclopedia of peer-reviewed and regularly updated articles covering the discipline.
- Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics EngineeringComprehensive reference work that defines the entire discipline, bringing together the core knowledge from every one of the many specialties encompassed by electrical and electronics engineering. Includeing over 1,700 articles, it is an ideal starting point for research projects, whether addressing basic questions in power systems and communications, or learning advanced applications in neural networks and robotics.
- Wiley StatsRef: Statistics Reference OnlineWiley StatsRef: Statistics Reference Online is a comprehensive online reference resource which covers the fundamentals and applications of statistics in all fields where it is widely used. It is aimed at advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers of statistics, and for experienced researchers entering a new part of the field for the first time.