Studying Effectively
Shelves at George Green Library

Dictionaries and encyclopaedias

How to use general reference resources to find definitions and basic information.

How can I use reference resources?

Reference resources can be used to source definitions of words and background information around specific subjects. It can be especially helpful to have access to this type of resource when researching a new topic area.

Types of general reference resource include:

  • dictionaries
  • biographical dictionaries
  • encyclopaedias
  • official publications
  • reference bibliographies
  • collections of statistics

Explore online reference resources in our guide. 

Study resource: General Reference Resources

 


Subject guides

Depending on your subject, a wider range of reference material may be useful. Discover how to search and access specialist resources via your Faculty’s subject guide: 

 
 


Continue your journey

You may also be interested in:

Further support

 

 

Studying Effectively

Kings Meadow Campus
Lenton Lane
Nottingham, NG7 2NR

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5151
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3666
Contact us