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Cultural Studies

Resources for Anthropology, African, African-American, American, Asian, European, Latino, Native American studies and geography

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Reference Tools FAQ

Why Use Reference Tools?

  • Get a good overview of a topic, term, or issue
  • Focus your topic and place it properly within context of the field of study
  • Find alternate keywords to help locate relevant articles and books

Can I Cite an Encyclopedia in my Paper?

Ask your instructor, but normally, encyclopedias provide insufficient information when researching a topic in the academic environment. Encyclopedias are not meant to be your only source for research. Instead, use them as a starting point to gain a basic understanding of the scope and terminology associated with your topic so you can begin in-depth research. Many entries contain a "Further Reading" section that you may find useful for locating more detailed information.