Reference sources provide general information about a subject and include materials such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and companions. Often, a reference source will give a summary of key ideas and developments in the literature on a topic and will include a bibliography for further reading. These sources can be an excellent starting point for understanding a topic and a launching point for more in-depth research.
Asian American History and Culture: an Encyclopedia by Citing reference works in MLA format is much like citing a chapter in an edited book. For more information on citations, see Purdue OWL's guide to MLA Format.
For reference sources that have individual authors for each entry or chapter, the basic format is as follows:
Print: Lastname, E. F. "Title of Chapter." Title of the Reference Work. Edition. Year.
Electronic: Lastname, E. F. "Title of Chapter." Title of the Reference Work. Edition. Year. URL or DOI
For reference sources that have a group or organization as the author, the basic format is as follows:
To search for other reference works that are online or available through OhioLINK, start your search here. Try searching by keyword using your topic or subject area and "dictionary" or "encyclopedia."
Use the Thorne Library's online catalog to find other reference works. Try searching by keyword using your topic or subject area and "dictionary" or "encyclopedia."
Library Online Catalog
