By Lynn Parliman, Head of Serials & Electronic Resources & Jane Suda, Head of Reference & Information Services

Starting a research project can be daunting sometimes. Librarians are always available to help you locate reputable sources once you know what you want to write about, but figuring out how to narrow your topic so that it is more manageable can be overwhelming. The Credo Reference – Academic Core database is an ideal starting point for academic research because with it you can explore a topic, related topics, and subtopics to help you figure out how to focus your research.

What makes this database so useful? The Credo Reference – Academic Core contains the contents of hundreds of notable subject encyclopedias, handbooks, guides, companions, and readers. There are over 80 major subject disciplines, and more than 6 million research concepts that you can explore. The database provides the full text of all of the reference books included, AND it also includes more than 1,000 videos and animations, and 500,000 contextual visual aids, images, photographs and maps. Many topics & concepts are best explained with visual tools; the creators of the Credo Reference database understand that and deliver visually enhanced content to bring clarity to complexity.

To help you get started, Credo has created a number of Research Quick Tips videos. We recommend the video titled What To Do When Your Topic is too Broad, and How to Avoid Bias in Your Searches, but there are others that are equally helpful.

Next, we recommend that you check out these search tools included in the database:

The Mind Map: An interactive search platform that helps you visually explore a topic, related topics, and subtopics. Mind maps can be exported as a PDF or embedded in a presentation, webpage, or other electronic platform, which also makes them easy to include in class presentations.

Image Search: Credo images are reputable, citable, embeddable, and free to use! In contrast, most images found via a Google search are copyrite protected, and some may be altered in ways that distort reality or the truth. AND they are very easy to find! Simply run a keyword search and then click the Images Tab on the results page. You can export or embed any image, and Credo provides a suggested citation.

Citations: Quickly save citations as well as sources as you research. APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA citations can be saved or exported to citation-management programs such as Zotero and Endnote, making it easy to keep track of the sources you select and link your source materials within your paper or presentation.

Enhanced Accessibility: All Credo Reference articles include Read Aloud and Translate options.

The database is updated monthly, so current content on new topics and ideas are available in addition to well-established theories and concepts.

Still need help? Reference Librarians are happy to meet with you for a one-on-one consultation! Find the librarians who support your department here and email them to set up an appointment. Or, if you are tight on time, no worries, use our 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service.