James Madison University
Libraries & Educational Technologies

http://www.lib.jmu.edu

The sources below contain information similar to Wikipedia but are more authoritative.

 

If you're only going to try one search:


  • Includes over 400 dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference sources.

Search Scholarly Encyclopedias

Look up words in the Oxford English Dictionary

More Background Information Sources

Librarians call the resources on this page "reference sources." We actually have over 150 online reference sources.

 

Compare Viewpoints on Controversial Topics


Get Background Information about People

 

Wikipedia

 


  • While Wikipedia is not an authoritative source, it can provide helpful clues for getting started, especially for popular culture topics. Be sure to verify any facts you find with an authoritative source such as the other tools on this page.

     

 


Want to do more in depth research?

 

Have a suggestion? Need help? Ask Library Instruction.
This page was last reviewed by Jenne Klotz on 09/24/2012.

 



James Madison University Libraries & Educational Technologies