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:
A brief overview of a topic
Definitions of terminology
Important issues, figures, dates, and/or events for a topic
Sources for further research in the form of bibliographies
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.
The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Political Sociology is a complete reference guide, reflecting the scope and quality of the discipline, and highlighting emerging topics in the field. Global in focus, offering up-to-date topics from an interdisciplinary, international set of scholars addressing key issues concerning globalization, social movements, and citizenship. The majority of chapters are new, including those on environmental politics, international terrorism, security, corruption, and human rights. Revises and updates all previously published chapters to include new themes and topics in political sociology. Provides an overview of scholarship in the field, with chapters working independently and collectively to examine the full range of contributions to political sociology. Offers a challenging yet accessible and complete reference guide for students and scholars