Below are some examples of encyclopedias and dictionaries for water related topics.
How to Find Reference Resources
Finding background information on your topic is always the recommended starting point, especially if you are unfamiliar with the topic or not sure what angle or perspective you are going to take.
Some of the information that you might want to try to find as part of a background search includes:
The goal of conducting background research is to understand the historical, cultural, and disciplinary context of your topic.
There are a variety of resources that can provide background information, including reference materials, such as subject-specific encyclopedias and dictionaries. Books are also a great place to gain a broad overview of a topic, as well as historical context.
Books are excellent sources for information such as:
"But I don't have time to read a whole book!"
It's ok, you don't have to read a book cover to cover! To determine how useful a book might be, first skim through the following parts: