An Introduction to Research Processes

Back to Library Research

The reference collection in most libraries contains an amazing array of resources. It can be both a good place to start a project, where you can quickly familiarize yourself with a topic, and a place to fine-tune your research by filling in the details of definitions, dates, statistics, or facts.

Certain basic reference books are worth knowing about for almost any research project. This brief introduction can get you started exploring the reference shelves.

• Encyclopedias
• Dictionaries
• Handbooks and Companions
• Statistical Sources
• Atlases and Gazetteers
• Biographical Sources