Similar terms: Tertiary, Reference, and Background source all refer to short tertiary source articles that provide background information.
Keep your search string simple. One or two keywords combined with AND
Make sure you are searching the full text of the documents (do an advanced search in the Gale In Context databases)
Some of the databases contain more than tertiary sources; pay attention to labels to make sure you are reading a short, tertiary source article.
Pay attention to the name of the encyclopedia that published the article you are reading. Make sure the encyclopedia is approaching your topic from a historical perspective.
Search six databases at once: African-American History, American History Online, American Indian History, Ancient and Medieval History Online, Modern World History Online, World Religions.
Oxford Reference provides the full text of subject encyclopedias, language dictionaries, quotation dictionaries, companion series, and many more reference sources.
Very Short Introductions offer concise introductions to a diverse range of subject areas. All titles provide intelligent and serious introductions to a huge range of subjects, written by experts in the field who combine facts, analysis, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make challenging topics highly readable.
Provides background information on U.S. history, covering the major events and people. This resource offers primary source documents, reference articles, journal and magazine articles, images, video and audio and maps.
Explores world history though primary source documents, reference articles, journal and magazine articles, images, video and audio and maps. This resource includes information on the history of Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and Latin America.
This is a scholarly art resource addressing all aspects of Western and non-Western visual art and provides full-text access to the Grove Dictionary of Art, the Companion to Western Art, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics and the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms.
Presented in a pro/con format that clearly explains both sides of the historical dispute, each article is supported by a timeline and a wealth of primary sources.
NYPL Tertiary Source Databases
To access these databases, you will need your NYPL library card and your NYPL pin. Need help? Ask Ms. Kane
Provides full-text online access to hundreds of multidisciplinary reference book collections, including art, history, law, medicine, psychology, technology, bilingual dictionaries and encyclopedias.
