Reference sources, also known as background sources, include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, directories, and other online or print "books." You might want to consult one or more of them when you're first starting your research, especially if the topic you are researching is unfamiliar to you. They can be excellent sources of factual information, concepts, theories, definitions, terminology and references to other, more in-depth, sources of information.
Examples of dictionaries
Canadian Oxford Dictionary
A Dictionary of Business and ManagementGale Virtual Reference Library
Examples of subject encyclopedias
Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society
Covers corporate social responsibility, the obligation of companies to various stakeholder groups, the contribution of business to society and culture, and the relationship between organizations and the quality of the environment.
Encyclopedia of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Presents a thorough overview of the cross-disciplinary field of industrial and organizational psychology for students, researchers, and professionals in the areas of psychology, business, management, and human resources
This site is maintained by the librarians of Okanagan College Library.
If you wish to comment on an individual page, please contact that page's author.
If you have a question or comment about Okanagan College Library's LibGuides site as a whole, please contact the site administrator.