Authoritative Reference Sources vs Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a great resource for getting general info about something, but because anyone can contribute or change its content it is considered unreliable. College faculty typically do not consider Wikipedia a credible information source.
Instead, use the library's print or electronic encyclopedias, dictionaries, or other reference books to backup the basic information of your research paper. These resources have gone through an editorial process to check for accuracy. To the right and below are some resources that may be of use.
Encyclopedias and More
- Oxford Reference Online200+ well-known and trusted dictionaries and reference books combined into a single cross-searchable web database.
- Britannica OnlineThe electronic version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. An excellent starting point for almost any topic of research, the Britannica offers both concise descriptions, and longer, more comprehensive articles on a wide variety of topics.
- Oxford English DictionaryThe online version of the classic dictionary. An unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of over half a million words, both present and past. It traces the usage of words through 2.5 million quotations from a wide range of international English language sources, from classic literature and specialist periodicals to film scripts and cook books.
Reference Books
Below are key reference books that provide a general overview of a topic or help identify synonyms, related terms, or basic data. These sources often include references and lists of further readings.
The Cambridge Companion to Cervantes by Call Number: HAT 2d Floor Stacks PQ6351 .C27 2002ISBN: 0521663873
Cervantes' Don Quixote : A Reference Guide by Call Number: HAT 2d Floor Stacks PQ6352 .M24 2006ISBN: 0313333475
Don Quijote in World Literature : A Selective, Annotated Bibliography by Call Number: HAT 2d Floor Stacks PQ6337.A4
The Oxford Companion to Spanish Literature by Call Number: HAT Reference PQ6006.O93
