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ESL Guide

Direct any comments to jcombs@nvcc.edu

Online Encyclopedias

Below are a few places you can find definitions and encyclopedia articles; from off campus you will have to login with your myNOVA username and password (the same ones you use to access Canvas, student email, etc.).

Search Tips

Use broad terms, as encyclopedias usually provide general overviews of topics.

higher education

Use quotation marks ( "  " ) around phrases (two or more words); this tells the database to look for the words in a specific order.

"standardized testing"

Why to Use Reference Books

An encyclopedia is a type of reference book. Use a reference book to:

  • Define important vocabulary words related to your topic,
  • Find a basic overview and main issues related to your topic,
  • Find references to additional resources, and
  • Discover important background information related to your topic.

You will typically not use a reference book or encyclopedia as a source in your research.  The information in these sources is for your own background knowledge.