General and Specialized Encyclopedias
Characteristics
Encyclopedias provide good introductions to topics and issues, covering concepts, history, places, events, people, etc. Encyclopedias such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica and the World Book are multidisciplinary and cover a wide range of topics. Other encyclopedias specialize in specific and often very narrow subject areas, providing introductory and in-depth information. Examples of subject encyclopedias include, Encyclopedia of Farm Animal Nutrition, Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, and the Encyclopedia of the South.
Advantages
- Helpful starting point for any research assignment
- Can be used to generate ideas for focusing a topic
- Articles are easy to read
- Are often edited and have articles contributed by experts and scholars (especially specialized encyclopedias)
- Have an objective approach, and try to represent various schools of thought in a field or discipline
- Often include bibliographies listing more sources
Disadvantages
- Much less current than books or periodical articles
- Do not provide in-depth treatment of topics
Finding Encyclopedias
To find an encyclopedia, search the UF Libraries’ Catalog. Many of the Libraries’ guides to subject areas (Subject Guides & Specialists) list specialized encyclopedias such as, Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Many encyclopedias are also online.
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