What are Reference Tools?

• Resources that give you specific facts, definitions, overviews, background information and citations
• Helps you with narrowing a topic - or to give you additional ideas on a topic
• Good for looking up definitions of concepts

The best way to find background information on a topic is to use a relevant reference resource. Some reference materials will also help you find books, articles, patents, and more on your topic.

If you know the subject area you need, select it below to see recommended resources for that subject. If you need a specific content type - biographies, book reviews, encyclopedias - select that type from the drop-down on the right.

You can also access databases by name if you already know the one you want to search: