Find Reference Sources: Get Started with Research
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Open access. No login required. |
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Requires login when Off Campus. Limited to Atlantic Cape students, faculty and staff |
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Many items full-text |
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Some full text. |
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No full text. |
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Complete videos |
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An Ebscohost Database. |
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A Proquest Database. |
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Gale-Cengage Resource. |
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Digital Commons/bepress |
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Infobase Resource |
Reference Sources: A Great Place to Start a Project
Reference sources are the basic, essential tools of research. Use reference sources to find a good introduction to a topic or concept, check facts or rules, get the definition of a word, a short biography of a person, get geographic information, or locate additional sources for your work.
These tools are useful for finding information about any topic.
General Encyclopedias
- Britannica Academic Edition This link opens in a new window
Britannica Online offers the 32 volume Encyclopaedia Britannica (updated every two weeks)
- The Year in Review
- World Data Analyst with statistics on every country
- An Internet Guide with sites selected and reviewed by Britannica's editors
- Timelines, a chronology tool
- Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
- Merriam-Webster's Thesaurus; World Atlas
- Images, video and news articles.
- Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
This general encyclopedia contains articles that are easy to read, but lack the depth of the Britannica articles.
- Referencia Latina This link opens in a new window
A collection of Spanish-language sources, primarily introductory reference books, but also including a variety of popular magazines and a few scholarly journals.
Dictionaries
- Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
This classic reference work traces the history and etymology of words and phrases in the English Language.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition
A major revision of the Fifth Edition of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, the premier resource about words for people who seek to know more and find fresh perspectives. This new printing, which marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of the original American Heritage Dictionary, presents the most up-to-date research about the words in our language in an accessible and elegant design, featuring thousands of revisions, including more than 150 new words and senses. This is the fiftieth anniversary printing of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. This beloved dictionary has become the premier resource for anyone who wants to know precisely what words mean, where they come from, and how to use them effectively. It is renowned for presenting accurate and comprehensible definitions, etymologies based on the latest research, and authoritative usage guidance from the celebrated American Heritage Usage Panel. The fifth edition of the dictionary, published in 2011, included 10,000 new words and senses, as well as 4,000 new full-color images. This comprehensive update continues the tradition of exhaustive research and thorough review. Thousands of revisions to definitions and etymologies, 150 new words and senses, and new usage advice make this updated printing the most current print dictionary of its size available today. The American Heritage Dictionary combines clear, precise definitions with useful features that make it easier to choose your words and express yourself clearly. Your words really do define you. Make the most of them with the guidance of this respected work of reference.
Call Number: Credo ReferenceISBN: 9781328841698Publication Date: 2016
Specialized Encyclopedias and More
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo Reference provides access to a large number of encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri and other reference books. Subjects covered include art, biography, history, literature, music, religion, and science and technology. Includes a spider map of related subjects
- Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) This link opens in a new window
Standard, academic reference sources on a variety of topics. Some sources in this collection are better for historic than for current information.
- Salem Press Reference Books This link opens in a new window
A small but valuable collection of resources. At this time, the collection includes resources for history, health and medicine, and science.
Test Preparation
- Peterson's Test and Career Prep This link opens in a new window
This multi-faceted resource includes:
- Foundational Skills: Math, Science, Reading, Writing and Computer skills
- High School: Advanced Placement (AP), STEM, High School Equivalency Exams and more
- College Prep: CLEP, DSST, SAT and more
- Grad School Prep: GMAT, GRE, LSAT and more
- International: English as a Second Language and U.S. Citizenship
►Personal registration is required in order to use some resources.
Good sources for argumentative essays, or an introduction to any issue of public concern.
- Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center This link opens in a new window
A full-text databases providing differing points of view on current social issues, such as affirmative action, censorship, ecology, mental health, and many more. For best results, use the Browse Topics feature. All content requires critical thinking.
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Covers controversial issues of many descriptions. Contains many core topics, each with an overview (objective background / description), point (argument), and counterpoint (opposing argument). Links to additional full-text articles. For best results, use the Browse Topics feature.
ProConCall Number: Credo ReferencePublication Date: 2018Provides the pros and cons of controversial issues shaping our society. Entries are supported with background information that delves into the issue, with pro and con arguments, verified facts and additional reading.
Business
- Reference Solutions This link opens in a new window
This directory of millions of U.S. businesses is searchable by name, industry, location, or a combination. Also includes closed and historical businesses, jobs and internships.
To access you will be prompted for your library card number. This is the 14-digit barcode printed on the face of your Atlantic Cape ID card. You must register your card with the libraries for this to work.
Law
- Legal Information Source This link opens in a new window
Legal Information Reference Center contains hundreds of full-text publications and thousands of legal forms. Search over 12,800 state-specific legal forms–searchable by top subject areas including Adoption, Bankruptcy, Name Changes and more.
Literature
- Literary Reference Source This link opens in a new window
Provides information on approximately 140,000 authors from a wide range of literary disciplines and time frames as well as plot summaries, synopses, and overviews of their works. In addition, it also includes 14,500 short stories and 54,000 poems.
See a list of all Atlantic Cape Libraries databases in alphabetical order.
Working Off Campus?
Off-campus access to most library resources is password-protected. 3 ways to get the user name and password:
- Visit the library.
- Go to Blackboard.
- Students: Look on the Institution Page for Student Tools to Stay Connected at Atlantic Cape
- Faculty: Look on the Institution Page for Key information about Libraries and Tutoring.
- Send an email request to library@atlantic.edu
Feeling Lost?
Help is on the way! Ask a Librarian, or check out our HELP! page.
Funding Information
Looking for money to finance an institutional initiative, a nonprofit venture, or a personal adventure? Learn more about the Nonprofit Resource Center.