Research Guides: Leisure and Recreation in a Multicultural Society (ID 1010): Start Your Research Here

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Linda Cifelli

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Guide Editor

Jennifer Stevenson edited and updated this guide Fall 2022.

Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

Need to select a research topic or find background information?

The Reference Collection includes a variety of different sources, such as: subject-focused encyclopedias, handbooks, almanacs, maps/atlases, statistical compendiums, dictionaries, and more. Look here to find introductory articles on subject-related topics. The broad perspective offered by such articles often proves helpful for narrowing research topics before pursuing more in-depth information.

This guide provides some recommendations for encyclopedias and other reference resources that might provide helpful information relating to your topic.

Recommended Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Global Religion

Electronic Resource 2012

Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships: A Global Exploration of Our Connections with Animals

Reference Collection (Second Floor) 2007

Encyclopedia of New Jersey

Electronic Resource 2004

Encyclopedia of Sports and Athletics

Electronic Resource 2012

Europa World Year Book

Reference Collection (Second Floor) 2016

Guide to Countries of the World

Electronic Resource 2016

Handbook of World Families

Electronic Resource 2005

The Social Semiotics of Tattoos: Skin and Self

Electronic Resource 2018

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life

Electronic Resource, Volumes 1-5 2017

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

Electronic Resource 2014

Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations

Electronic Resource 2017

World Sports

Electronic Resource 2012

Recommended Online Reference Databases

The following databases provide access to online encyclopedias, handbooks and dictionaries covering multidisciplinary topics. These are great sources of background information on countless topics.

Working from off campus? If so, you will need to log in with your Kean Google username and password.

Gale eBooks (Gale Cengage Learning) This link opens in a new window A comprehensive collection of reference resources such as subject-focused encyclopedias and dictionaries, available in a single database.
Oxford Art Online (Oxford University Press) (VALE) This link opens in a new window Key reference for art; offers artist biographies as well as subject entries on artworks, genres, historical periods, and so on; includes Grove Art Online. The database also provides access to some 40,000 image links and 5,000 images contained within Grove Art Online. NOTE: Permits only eight simultaneous users.
Oxford Music Online (Oxford University Press) (VALE) This link opens in a new window Key reference for music; offers biographies of composers and performing artists as well as subject entries on works, genres, instruments, and so on; includes Grove Music Online, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, and The Oxford Companion to Music. NOTE: Permits only five simultaneous users.
Oxford Reference (Oxford University Press) This link opens in a new window Contains facts, figures, definitions, quotations, and translations from 300+ Oxford reference titles, as well as in-depth, scholarly articles from titles in the Oxford Companions series and Oxford Digital Reference Shelf.
SAGE Knowledge This link opens in a new window Provides reference resources such as subject-focused dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference materials published by SAGE.

Recommended Multimedia Databases

Working from off campus? If so, you will need to log in with your Kean Google username and password.

Films on Demand (Infobase Learning) This link opens in a new window Films on Demand provides access to "video and multimedia for academic, vocational and life-skills content." Click "Collections" to access videos in various subject areas, such as Art & Architecture, Biology, Business & Economics, Criminal Justice & Law, Education, English, Gender & Sexuality, Guidance & Counseling, Health & Medicine, History, Psychology, and more. Also features Archival Films & Newsreels.
Naxos Music Library This link opens in a new window Offers streaming audio access to CDs, focusing on classical music but also including some jazz, folk, blues, world, pop, rock, gospel, and spoken word.
Naxos Music Library Jazz This link opens in a new window Offers streaming audio access to CDs by jazz legends and contemporary jazz artists.
Oxford Reference (Oxford University Press) This link opens in a new window Contains facts, figures, definitions, quotations, and translations from 300+ Oxford reference titles, as well as in-depth, scholarly articles from titles in the Oxford Companions series and Oxford Digital Reference Shelf.
Theatre in Video (Alexander Street Press) This link opens in a new window A collection of some of the world's best-loved plays, performances, documentaries, and even rehearsals, all provided in full streaming video. Includes many world renown actors and directors.