Skip to Main Content
* UC Irvine access only

Education: Reference Resources

A guide compiling resources to support education-related research at UCI. This guide focuses on the U.S. education system.
URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/education

Connect from Off Campus

Researching from home? Remote access to the UCI Libraries' licensed online resources is available to current UC Irvine students, faculty & staff. Visit our Connect from Off-Campus page for more information!

Ask a Librarian

blue Ask a Librarian icon

Using Reference Resources

Reference sources are a great starting point for starting research on a new topic because they provide general information on a topic. They often include the following types of information to help you get started:

  • Get an overview of a new or complex topic
  • Find out the names of key players in a given area
  • Locate terms that you can use in your research
  • Help narrow (or expand) your topic
  • Locate a bibliography of sources to help you start your research

Reference sources include encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, and other sources like them. Some reference sources for education-related topics are listed below.

Annual Reviews

Reference Resources

This is not a comprehensive list. Most rankings do not do a good job of indicating the value of niche publications and must be viewed critically. A common weak point is categorization of journals by subject prior to analysis. Take into account: titles indexed by databases, circulation or library subscribers, acceptance/rejection rates, specialization, longevity of publication, prestige and reputation, and (related) affiliation with associations.