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SOCW 2113 Social Work: A Helping Profession

An overview of the history of social services available to people in need.

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

For Your Reference

Reference works such as dictionaries and encyclopedias can provide background information. The resources highlighted on this page are most useful when you:

  • Want to quickly learn about a topic.
  • Are having trouble selecting a topic for an assignment.
  • Don’t know what search terms to use.
  • Need to find facts and figures.

Virtual Reference

Virtual Reference

Oxford English Dictionary Online
  • Oxford
  • Full-text resource

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language.

Use this widget to search seven collections of reference books.

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Choose Your Databases

Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Guides

The following is a selection from our reference collection.

Reference Databases

These research databases contain full-text reference works.

Their content includes encyclopedias and specialized dictionaries but may also include journal articles and other sources.

General Reference

Legal & Business Information

English & Literature

Health & Psychology

Home & Craft

Schools & Public Libraries

Research Librarian