SUNY Empire Library Webpages & Guides: Specialized Human Services Resources: Encyclopedias

Opposing Viewpoints: Health Issues

These are great places to get pro/con and overview information about broad topics on community and social issues:

Select Reference Sources

Child Development: A Practitioners Guide
Encyclopedia of Adolescence (2018)
Encyclopedia of the History of Psychological Theories (2012)
Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy
History of family life within cultures and how families have been affected by political and social change.
MedlinePlus
Authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine.
Psychologists and Their Theories for Students
In-depth coverage of major psychological theories and the people who developed them.
Social Work Practice with Children and Families : Working with Adolescents : A Guide for Practitioners
Covers human development from conception through adolescence.
World Poverty
Current & historical statistics with analysis of world poverty.

How to Use Encyclopedias

Why Use Encyclopedias?

Get a good overview and history of a topic, term or issue.
Focus your topic and place it properly within the 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. Instead, use them as a starting point to understand the scope and terminology associated with your topic, so that you can begin in-depth research.