What are references resources? And what's so "great" about them?
Reference sources are online or printed encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases or any other source that is designed to provide a concise yet authoritative overview of a topic of research.
Reference sources are excellent sources to use when you are starting your research, because they provide:
The following is a list of online encyclopedias and dictionaries that users may access both on-campus and off-campus.
To access these resources off-campus please sign in using your MyTyndale user name and password (that's the same password you use to log-in to your MyTyndale e-mail).
For more online encyclopedias and e-resources please visit our Library E-Resources.
The J. William Horsey Library at Tyndale University College & Seminary has an extensive collection of printed reference materials that could help you start the research process for Christian Education.
Be sure to visit the ABBA Resource Centre to find printed materials on education theory, learning styles, curriculum development, and more.
Wikipedia is an online resource that can be edited by anyone who has access to the internet.
It has been subject to much criticism by librarians and faculty in academia because:
Wikipedia does have its good points:
Because of its open nature Wikipedia is still held in much suspect by the majority of librarians and scholars.
If you decide to use any resources found in a Wikipedia bibliography you should make sure that that resource is authoratative.
For more information on assessing online resource, please see the "Evaluating a Website" page.