Finding Background Information

            Dictionaries and encyclopedias are a good place to begin your research.  They help clarify terms and concepts right from the start, and can sometimes lead to more information.  There is virtually no difference in scope between some books or sets called encyclopedias and some called dictionaries, so don’t judge a source by its name.

            Many disciplines have their own terms or use common words in a specialized way.  SPECIALIZED DICTIONARIES emphasize that unique vocabulary.  In addition, Myrin Library has historical dictionaries, which trace the evolution of word meanings through time.

            ENCYCLOPEDIC SOURCES provide background information on unfamiliar subjects, and they can serve as a springboard for the researcher by providing the following:

            1.  an overview of the topic

            2.  ideas on how to narrow the topic

            3.  related terms and subjects which might be useful

            4.  bibliographies or lists of additional reading which will provide further information 

            Many encyclopedia articles are written by experts in the field.  Their summaries can quickly lead you to key ideas and sources in the development of the subject.

            It is important to use the index volume to locate all references to your subject, since information is often embedded in articles on other topics.

            GENERAL encyclopedias usually give a broad treatment of a subject and differ in their strengths.  It is best to check several general encyclopedias to find one with the best coverage of your topic.

            SPECIALIZED encyclopedias or multi-volume dictionaries give more detailed information as it relates specifically to one field.   For example, the Encyclopedia of World Art devotes about thirty pages of text to the section on "impressionism".  It includes a two page bibliography and 25 full-page illustrations.  The Encyclopedia Americana, on the other hand, provides only a three page article with eight citations in the bibliography and two illustrations.

            Some sets have “Dictionary” in the title but actually function like an encyclopedia.  Two examples are The Dictionary of Art (34 vols.) and The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (20 vols.).

            For some topics, the information in a general encyclopedia is more useful, but it is always a good idea to check a specialized one as well.

ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION

            Dictionaries are always alphabetically arranged, and some include cross references.

            In some specialized encyclopedias, the articles are arranged alphabetically and in others they are grouped under broad concepts.  In either case, use the index to find all the information on your topic.

            General encyclopedias are located in the Reference section under the call numbers REF 030 through 034. 

            From the Myrin Library homepage (myrin.ursinus.edu) it is possible to use Britannica Online.  Just click on QuickLinks in the lower right corner, and select Britannica .  Off campus you must use another version www.britannica.com . In the box titled "Search Results You Can Trust", click on the first drop down menu and select Encylcopaedia Britannica, type your search term in the next box and click "go".    

            General dictionaries have the call number REF 423.  

            Specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias can be found with other reference books in the area of specialty, for example the Encyclopedia of the Human Body is located in the biology section (call number 612).  You can do a keyword search in the Web Catalog for the kind of dictionary or encyclopedia you want and the word encyclopedias or dictionaries,  for example,   physiology and dictionaries    or     physiology and encyclopedias      and click on keyword..  That will lead you to any encyclopedia or dictionary we have  in that field, regardless of format (print or electronic).  Another good way is to browse the shelves in the Reference section on the main floor of the library.  You can use the Web Catalog to get the general call number, then look around to see what else is shelved with that subject.