Background sources such as, but not limited to, dictionaries and encyclopedias provide context for your topic or even help you choose one. Researchers use them when they need:
Encyclopedia and dictionary entries for most subject areas. Dates covered: latest edition of each title.
Ebooks on most subject areas. Read online or set up an account to download or print up to 30% of pages. Please close or "release" a book when you are finished. Coverage: varies.
Encyclopedia, dictionary and biographical entries from hundreds of sources for most subject areas. It includes images, diagrams, maps and photos, and audio pronunciation files and sound clips. Coverage 2000 – present.
Collection of newspaper, magazine and scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, primary sources, images and videos, and encyclopedia entries for science issues, topics and current events. Includes chemistry, earth and environmental science, health and medicine, life science, physics and astronomy, technology, mathematics, science history and biography. Coverage: varies.