Skip to Main Content

Political Science: Background Information

Background Information

On this page you will find examples of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and guides (also known as reference materials) for political science. 

Use UC Library Search to find more entries on your topic in our online collection of reference materials.

Search your term, using quotation marks if it is more than one word.

When you get your results, select Resource Type > Reference Entries from the left toolbar.

Reference Sources

This page lists encyclopedias and dictionaries that cover the discipline of political science generally.

An encyclopedia article or dictionary entry can give you a broad overview of your topic.

Articles like these can help you to identify key concepts, to define key terms, and to discover who has done important work on your topic. 

They often also include bibliographies to guide your further reading.

See also topical encyclopedias & dictionaries under other tabs on this research guide. 

 

An article in a political science handbook or guide can provide an extensive introduction to a wide range of topics. 
Look here for chapter-length overviews of your topic, for a more in-depth introduction to the concepts, terms, and work done on your topic. These articles can also include bibliographies to guide your further reading.
  • Current issue only
  • Information and data on countries and territories of the world, including government bodies, major and minor political parties, and political history, plus profiles of intergovernmental organizations

Why Use These Sources?

Encyclopedias:

  • Encyclopedias provide excellent introductions to many aspects of research and can provide you with keywords to use in your searches.

Dictionaries:

  • Subject dictionaries are a great way to familiarize yourself with words and phrases used in research.

Handbooks & Manuals (use if needed):

  • These sources are often good for providing established scientific techniques in research.

Locate Print Materials in Library

UCSB Library Location Guide:

About Call Numbers

Login to LibApps