Research Guides: Library Research Tutorial: Find Reference Sources

What are reference sources?

Online Reference Sources at UCC

Credo Reference
The complete text and images of hundreds of reference books can be searched simultaneously for all kinds of topics. Browse individual books or subjects. Search results also link to our other database subscriptions and the UCC library catalog. A great place to start your research.
Gale Virtual Reference Library
This collection provides a selection of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
Oxford English Dictionary Online
The authority on words and etymology of the English language, the OED is currently being revised, with the aim of producing a completely updated third edition. Draft material from the revision programme is published online, alongside unrevised entries from the 20-volume Second Edition, first published in 1989, and its 3-volume Additions Series, published in 1993 (volumes 1 and 2) and 1997 (volume 3). Many of the entries in the Additions volumes consist of sections which are additions to an entry previously published in the Second Edition; such sections are appended to the end of the appropriate Second Edition entry. Complete entries published for the first time in the Additions volumes are presented as free-standing entries, along with entries from the Second Edition.
Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
25,000 encyclopedic entries cover a variety of subject areas.
Applied Science
This database contains the online versions of earth science reference sets published by Salem Press, including: Applied Science.
Earth Science
This database contains the online versions of earth science reference sets published by Salem Press, including: Earth's Surface and History and Weather, Water, and Atmosphere.
Literary Reference Center
A highly graphical interface intended to assist students with research assignments of a literary nature. Both journals and reference books are available in full text. Find literary criticism, biographies, reviews, and more.
CQ Researcher
CQ from Congressional Quarterly provides a complete source on the most current and controversial issues of the day with comprehensive articles, complete summaries, all the pros and cons, bibliographies and more.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
This database draws from several informative series: At Issue, Contemporary Issues Companions, Current Controversies, and more. The complete text of essays on contemporary social issues are supplemented with reference content from Gale and MacMillan Reference sources, full text articles from 30 major newspapers and news magazines, and statistics and tables from Information Plus reference books.
Research in Context
Current, relevant, organized, easy-to-read information. The entries are thorough; in depth; and written in clear, concise terms. Several curriculum area content sets are integrated into one searchable database.
Master File
This multidisciplinary database provides full text for nearly 1,750 general reference publications with full text information dating as far back as 1975. Covering subject areas of general interest, MasterFILE Premier also contains full text for nearly 500 reference books and 164,424 primary source documents, as well as an Image Collection of over 453,000 photos, maps & flags.
Encyclopedia of American Immigration
This reference database covers American immigration history--from the arrival of the early ancestors of Native Americans to a broad range of twenty-first century immigration issues.
Explora Educator's Edition
The Educator's Edition of Explora provides lesson plans, curriculum standards, student tools, and other resources for teachers.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Events
A chronology of important historical events from around the world that have identified, defined, and legally established the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons.
Health and Wellness Resource Center
The Health & Wellness Resource Center delivers magazines, journals, and newsletters, newspapers and Reference books.
Salem Health
This database contains the online versions of reference sets published by Salem Press, including: Addictions & Substance Abuse; Magill's Medical Guide, Seventh Edition; Complementary & Alternative Medicine; Salem Health: Cancer; Genetics & Inherited Conditions; Infectious Diseases & Conditions; and Psychology and Mental Health.
The databases covers diseases, disorders, genetics, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and related issues, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders.
LearningExpress Library
Create your own login to track which tests you've taken. This database provides a comprehensive, interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series.
Global Road Warrior
Learn about countries, their culture, and their customs. Find recipes, business etiquette, languages spoken, country demographics and statistics, ethnic groups, stereotypes, society and culture, and lots more.
Small Business Resource Center
Search this database to learn how to start, finance or manage your small business. Resources include sample business plans, how to guides, articles and websites.
Vocational Career Collection
This EBSCO collection provides full text coverage for more than 350 trade and industry-related periodicals.

How to find reference sources using the UCC Library Search Box

UCC Library Search Box
Use the UCC Library Search Box to find articles in academic and trade journals, news and magazine articles, print books, ebooks, streaming video, and patents.

Using the UCC Library Search Box, you can find:

"Research Starters"
- These show at the top of your search results and are usually an encyclopedia entry related to your search terms.
Reference sources in the form of ebooks
- For example, an encyclopedia or dictionary in the form of an ebook.
Reference sources available in print at the UCC Library or in the Douglas County Library System
- For an example, a paper encyclopedia or dictionary.
- You can also find print reference sources by browsing the shelves of the library.
You can also find the citation for each reference source that you find using the library search box.

Search by Keyword

Search Terms for Reference Sources

When looking for reference works on a specific subject, use very simple keywords. Examples: social psychology, solar system origin.
- The keyword phrase women's rights would bring more results than women's rights in the 19th century in Oregon.
Use as few words as possible to sum up your general topic. If you do not get many search results, reduce the number of words you are using in your search terms.
Do NOT write sentences or ask questions (natural language) as you would in Google.

Example

If I were searching for reference sources about net neutrality, I could try some of the following search terms:

net neutrality
internet neutrality
open internet

Search by Title

If you know the specific title of a reference book, you can do a title search in the UCC Library Search Box to get the call number.

For example, I am looking for the ICD-10 (The international Classification of Diseases - 10th edition), I could enter part of the title, icd, in the search box and click Search.

I find that this book is available as a print book at UCC. The call number for its location at UCC is 651.961 I. This is the book's location on the shelves at UCC. The library staff at the front desk of the library are always happy to help you find the location of a book.