Research Guides: Asian American Studies Research Guide: Reference Sources

What are Reference Works?

Reference works:

Provide an overview of your topic
Are often written by scholars or experts in the field
Provide key people, places, events, and terms that you can use to refine your searches
Often offer suggestions for further reading

To find reference materials for your research topic try a search in Library Search combining keywords.

For example: "asian american" literature companion

General Reference Databases

The Robert W. Woodruff Library subscribes to large reference databases that contain many digital encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference works, many of which contain entries on Asian Americans. Here is a selection:

Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
Contains online reference works. Search for "Asian American," "Korean American," "Chinese American," etc. for reference articles on these topics.
Credo Reference Unlimited This link opens in a new window
Contains bilingual dictionaries and reference works in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

Biographical Information

American National Biography This link opens in a new window
Source of biographical information of people from different eras who have influenced and shaped American history and culture.