Encyclopedias and Quick Reference Sources

Now that we have covered research articles and covered how they can be used and thought about from multiple aspects it is important to consider how other reference materials can be accessed and integrated into your work.

If you have ever been to a library you will probably remember the Reference Section, which was that area with all the Encyclopedia Britannica sets, the atlases, the biographical dictionaries, the statistical abstracts, and other information heavy materials. These books are usually really heavy and contain in them quickly accessible data that can be used in collaboration with your research. Reference works can be used to verify basic facts and details of a research project; they can also be used to provide structure and richness to the presentation of your findings. Once you have identified a research topic reference sources can be good first place to start in order to hone in on or develop your research question. Using reference sources provides the foundation for your research project upon which you can build with research articles, key texts, and other types of research materials. University Libraries @ University of Albany has a key listing of different types of references sources, as well as how you should use them for your information needs. It's important to consider what kind of information you are looking for (for example, are you looking for a definition of a word or phrase?) and then find the appropriate reference source to answer that question (for example, you probably will need to consult a dictionary or subject dictionary).

Sounds great! Where do I find these References Sources?

There are a couple places you can find quality reference sources. One place is physically located inside The Library - Learning Commons at the Kirkland Campus of LWTech. We are located inside the Technology Building, which is at the center of campus. Our Reference Collection is located on the upper floor of the library at the top of the stairs or right behind the Reference Desk/IT Help Desk. Here you will find all manner of reference sources you can consult to find quick answers to basic research questions.

Keep in mind that none of the books in our Reference Collection circulate. You may look at these books on-site at The Library - Learning Commons Kirkland Campus, but they do not leave the library. This is because the information contained in these books is to be available to everyone in the LWTech campus community.

Pffft! What if I can't make it to the library?

While not all of the books in our amazing Reference Collection are online, we do have an online Reference Collection called Credo Reference and it is available through The Library - Learning Commons home page. Containing over 600 reference titles, Credo Reference can be a great place to start if you aren't quite sure where to begin. It can also be a place to supplement your research when you need to verify a key fact, statistic, or definition. The Library - Learning Commons has prepared a video tutorial to introduce you to Credo Reference and get you started in the right direction toward using this amazing resource. If you are patrons of any of the area library systems (Seattle Public Library, King County Library System, etc.) you also have access to any online reference collections they make available online (using your library account).

Between our awesome Reference Collection in the Library - Learning Commons @ Kirkland Campus, our online reference database Credo Reference, and your own access to reference databases/sources through your public library you will have more than enough opportunities to reinforce your student work using these materials.