Encyclopedias

Why use an encyclopedia? What reasons might I have for looking there rather than someplace else?

Encyclopedias are useful for many different reasons. Often they include very useful, concise reference information, so looking in encyclopedias tends to work well for short, pointed questions. They usually deal with the “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where” questions handily. They commonly contain useful tools relating to a subject, such as bibliographies and work lists. They offer an exploration of how a topic is considered in different contexts within a discipline, and how a topic has been researched. Probably the most useful aspect of encyclopedias is their focus on brief facts relating to a particular topic.

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