Research Tips

The Fondren Library contains a great deal of information. There are many ways to begin researching a topic. Here are some tips:

For background information, check in a subject encyclopedia:

General Encyclopedias:

Encyclopedia Brittanica
Call number: REF AE5.E33
Collier's Encyclopedia
Call number: REF AE5.C683

Science and Technology

Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology
Call number: REF Q 123.E497 1987
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
Call number: REF Q121.M3 1982
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia
Call number: REF Q121.V3 1988

Art, Architecture and Music

McGraw Hill Dictionary of Art
Call number: ARTS REF N33.M23 1960
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians
Call number: MUSIC REF ML105.B16 1992
International Dictionary of Art and Artists
Call number: ARTS REF N40.I55 1990
Encyclopedia of Architecture: Design, Engineering, and Construction
Call number: ARTS REF NA31. E59 1988-1990
Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects
Call number: ARTS REF NA 40.M25 1982
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Call number: MUSIC REF ML 100.N48 1980

Literature

Dictionary of Literary Biography
Call number: REF PS21.D5 1978-1994
Encyclopedia of World Literature in the Twentieth Century
Call number: REF PN 771.E5 1981
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama
Call number: REF PN 1625.M3 1983
New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
Call number: REF PN1021.N39 1993

Social Sciences:

Dictionary of American History
Call number: REF E174.D52 1976
Encyclopedia of Psychology
Call number: REF BF31.E52 1984
Encyclopedia of Sociology
Call number: REF HM17.E5 1992

To find Journal Articles:

Use an index to find journal articles.

To find Books:

Check in LIBRIS, the online catalog to find books. LIBRIS can be searched by title, author, subject, keyword, and call number. Subject Headings can be found by using the Library of Congress Subject Headings located near the reference desk. For assistance, please ask at the reference desk.