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Have Questions?
- Email Address: bwlibrary@psu.edu
- Phone Number: 610.892.1380
- Text Number: 610.314.7890
- Library hours
Starting your Research
Some good places to look for background information include encyclopedias. We have a number of encyclopedia that you can search through the libraries' subscriptions, but don't be afraid to search in Wikipedia, also! You just need to be careful that you're using accurate information, so do some evaluating of the source before you assume its authority on your subject matter.
General Encyclopedias:
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Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) This link opens in a new windowA collection of over 2000 reference resources.
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WikipediaUse wikipedia to gain background knowledge, and use the sources at the end of the entry to further research.
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Global Issues This link opens in a new windowan array of sources to explain the historical and contemporary conditions in a wide range of subject areas, including sociology, civics, politics, science, economics, cultural/religious studies, women's studies, and human rights.
When you find sources in Wikipedia, or any other search, that look like they might be useful, you should search for them in the libraries' system. You should put the title in the search bar on the libraries home page, in quotes if you have the exact title of the book or article.
Linguistics Encyclopedias:
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International Encyclopedia of Linguistics
by
Call Number: ebookISBN: 9780195139778Publication Date: 2003 -
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics
by
Call Number: ebookISBN: 9780191753060Publication Date: 2014
Subject Specific Databases:
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Ethnologue: Languages of the World This link opens in a new windowannual reference publication that provides statistics and other information on the living languages of the world, including the number of speakers, location, dialects, linguistic affiliations and autonym.
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Naxos Music Library - World This link opens in a new windowNaxos Music Library World brings the music from the furthest reaches of the world to your ears. Nearly 18,000 albums feature music from 150 different countries, 1500 diverse cultures
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Access World News (NewsBank) This link opens in a new windowAccess to newspapers from around the globe, some in the language of origin.
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eHRAF World Cultures This link opens in a new windowThe Human Relations Area Files are designed to facilitate the cross-cultural study of human society, culture, and behavior.
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GlottologComprehensive reference information for the world's languages, especially the lesser known languages.
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WALSThe World Atlas of Language Structures (WALS) is a large database of structural (phonological, grammatical, lexical) properties of languages gathered from descriptive materials (such as reference grammars) by a team of 55 authors.