HIST 5245 - Topics in Medieval History: Gathering Background Information
Gather Background Info with Reference Resources
Most reference resources are considered "tertiary" source materials. These books and websites provide background information and an overview and analysis of a subject or concept.
Tertiary sources have been compiled from secondary sources. Unlike a secondary sourcebook or journal article, tertiary sources are not intended to be read in their entirety. Instead, they are most often used to clarify terms and concepts about a particular topic. Tertiary sources include Almanacs, Yearbooks, and Factbooks; Bibliographies; Dictionaries and Encyclopedias; Indexes and Abstracts; Manuals; Textbooks
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Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Subject-specific encyclopedias and dictionaries are more specialized than general ones. Coverage is limited to a specific subject and contains more developed entries written by scholars and experts within a field.
History Reference Databases
- History Reference Source This link opens in a new windowThe database features reference books, encyclopedias, non-fiction books, and history periodicals.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowIncludes over 650 titles with particular emphasis on subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and reference handbooks.