Reference Tools - Sources for Brief, Authoritative Facts

WEBSITES

• Sweet Search -- A search engine that provides results from credible sites. Results should include primary sources and exclude spam sites.
• Ducksters -- An informational website that covers many educational topics. Articles are written in easy, understandable language.
• DuckDuckGo -- Many search engines keep track of search history and customize your search results to reflect your preferences. DuckDuckGo does not collect or share your personal information. Results will not be influenced by your history, preferences or cookies.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS

• World Book Online -- complete World Book Encyclopedia (subscription service)
• Information Please -- an encyclopedia, dictionary, and almanac
• FactMonster -- easy to read short articles
• HighBeam Encyclopedia -- articles from Britannica, Columbia Encyclopedia and Oxford University Press materials

DICTIONARIES & THESAURI

• OneLook -- search many dictionaries at once
• Dictionary.com -- dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, multilingual dictionary, and other language resources
• Thesaurus.com -- online version of Roget's Thesaurus

ATLASES

• National Geographic Mapmaker
• CIA World Factbook -- maps and other current information about countries
• infoplease World Atlas and Map Library -- basic maps

ALMANACS

• infoplease -- statistics, lists, brief information

HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATION

• MedLinePlus -- from the National Library of Medicine. Great starting point for medical research
• MayoClinic.com -- sponsored by the Mayo Clinic