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Background Information on a topic

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedias are generally known for providing a broad overview of a topic. They often include few, if any, bibliographic references to the original primary literature they summarize. Articles that do have bibliographies or are signed by the author of the article, generally an expert in the field, provide an excellent first step in reading a brief summarization of a topic.

TIP: TRY THIS FIRST            Access Science Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

                                                   This is the online version of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of

                                                   Science and Technology. It provides full access to 7100+

                                                   articles, hundreds of Research Updates in all areas of science

                                                   and technology, weekly updates of breakthroughs and

                                                   discoveries in science and technology, and links to related

                                                   websites.

                                                   more info

                                                   Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

                                                   This title is regarded as the most famous chemistry  

                                                   encyclopedia.

                                                   more info

                                                   Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

                                                   (ChemRef TP9.K54 1999)

                                                   More recently published, abridged, 1 volume version of

                                                   the 26 volume Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia described above.

                                                   more info