Reference Materials
Why Reference Sources?
Is your research topic too big to cover in a short paper? Is your topic so specific that sources will be hard to find?
Before you even begin your research, start the process with reference sources-- in the Library's Reference Section or online in our databases. Reference books, like subject encyclopedias, can give you a head start and make your research easier in the long run. Use reference sources to:
- find a topic
- narrow your topic
- find keywords
- get background information on your topic
Collections of Many Online Reference Books in one place:
Credo Reference and Gale eBooks / Gale Virtual Reference Library and Salem Press
Oxford Reference and Sage Knowledge Reference also have thousands of scholarly, academic articles, but they are a bit more difficult to use. Click here to find instructions on how to use these collections of reference books.
- Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness (FEMA)
- Complex Emergencies Database (CE-DAT). Contains statistical data and online reports about affected populations.
- Criteria for Weather Watches, Warnings and Advisories.
- Dictionary of Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Relief.
- EM-DAT International Disaster Database.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica Online.
- Encyclopedia of Crisis Management. Reference HV 551.2 .E 68 2013
- Encyclopedia of Disaster Management
- Encyclopedia of Disaster Relief
- Encyclopedia of Disasters: Environmental Catastrophes and Human Tragedies
- Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards
- FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms (FAAT) list.
- Guide to Emergency Management and Related Terms, Concepts, Organizations, Programs, Exec. Orders and Legislation.
- Man-Made Catastrophes. Reference D 24 .D 38 2002 .
- Natural Disasters. Reference GB 5014 .D 38 2008
- Natural Hazards and Disasters: From Avalanches and Climate Change to Water Spouts and Wildfires
- Notable Natural Disasters. Reference GB 5014 .N 373 2007
