The Ohio State University

Guide to Information Resources in Education:
Defining Terms and Finding Quick Information

Print works and Web sites like these are a good place both to start your research and to fill in some of the gaps in your information as your research progresses.  Dictionaries can help you compile a vocabulary to use in your database searches.  Encyclopedias and biographical tools can provide historical context for concepts and people you are researching, as well as lists of key references you should consult.  Statistical resources can help you determine trends and back up claims you are making.

The EHS Library Reference Room (205 Sullivant Hall) is always staffed with professional librarians or trained staff or student assistants who can help answer your questions. For further information on Reference Desk hours, or to ask a question by e-mail, telephone, or online chat, visit the EHS Library home page at http://library.osu.edu/sites/sullivant.

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DICTIONARIES

Critical Dictionary of Educational Concepts (EHS Stacks LB15 .B29 1990B)

Part dictionary, part encyclopedia, this book provides lengthy descriptive and critical essays on a variety of terms.

Dictionary of Developmental and Educational Psychology (EHS Ref. BF712.7 .D53 1986B)

Specialized dictionary for developmental and educational psychology.

Dictionary of Educational Terms (EHS Ref. LB15 .B35 1995)

Definitions with a UK perspective.

Dictionary of Multicultural Education (EHS Ref. LC1099 .D53 1997)

Education Week's "Education Glossary" http://www.edweek.org/context/glossary/

Brief definitions, some with links to "Hot Topic" articles from Education Week on the Web (http://www.edweek.org/).

Educational Administration Glossary (EHS Ref. LB15 .D373 1983)

Still useful, although somewhat dated.

Glossary of Special Education (EHS Ref. LC3986 .G7 G59 1988)

Terms related to special education and special needs children.

Handbook of Educational Terms and Applications (EHS Ref. LB15 .E419 1996)

Particularly relevant to the K-12 practitioner.

Literacy Dictionary (EHS Ref. LB1049.98 .L58 1995)

Terms related to reading, writing, literacy, and language arts education.

Multilingual Lexicon of Higher Education (EHS Ref. LB15 .M93 1993)

A two-volume work that defines terms used in different countries to describe aspects of higher education. Includes terms associated with faculty, students, administration, degrees granted, etc.

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BIOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES

Biographical Dictionary of American Educators (EHS Ref. LA2311 .B54)

A three-volume work that provides short sketches of the lives and work of 1,665 individuals "who have been major figures in the development of American education" from the 17th through early 20th centuries.

Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators (EHS Ref. LA2311 .O55 1997)

Continues the earlier work (above) with information on American educators from the early to mid-20th century.

International Biography of Adult Education (EHS Ref. LC5215 .I48 1985)

Substantive sketches of the lives of significant figures in the history of adult education around the world. Includes some individuals still living at the time of publication.

Who's Who in American Education (EHS Ref. LA2311 .W619 1996-97)

Short sketches of living educators, with information provided by the educators themselves. Ceased publication with this volume. Older vols. in EHS Stacks.

Women Educators in the United States, 1820-1993: A Bio-Bibliographical Sourcebook (EHS Ref. LA2311 .W775 1994)

Lengthy profiles of 66 women "who made significant contributions to American education from the early nineteenth century to the late twentieth century." Includes lists of works by and about each subject.

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STATISTICAL RESOURCES

Education Statistics at a Glance  http://www.nces.ed.gov/edstats/

Brings together National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data from The Condition of Education, The Digest of Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics, and more.

Education Statistics of the United States (EHS Ref. LA201 .E38)

Fact Book on Higher Education (EHS Ref. LB2310 .A522 -- earlier editions in EHS Stacks)

State Comparisons of Education Statistics: 1969-70 to 1996-97 (EHS Ref. LA217.2 .S68 1998)

Note:  For additional material on education statistics, visit the Statistics page of this guide.

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TOPICAL RESOURCES

Concise Encyclopedia of Special Education (EHS Ref. LC4007 .E53 2002)

Encyclopedia of African-American Education (EHS Ref. LC2717 .E53 1996)

Several hundred entries on an interdisciplinary collection of topics relevant to the history and current status of African-American education in the United States.

Encyclopedia of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education (EHS Ref. LC3707 .E53 1998)

Encyclopedia of Higher Education (EHS Ref. LB15 .E545 1992)

Four volumes.

Encyclopedia of School Administration and Supervision (EHS Ref. LB2805 .E53 1988)

300 brief entries on "topics that hold implications for or describe some facet of the administration and leadership of schools." Written with a primary audience of administrators, policymakers, and other practitioners in mind. Although dated, useful for historical context.

Encyclopedia of Special Education (EHS Ref. LC4007 .E53 2000)

Historical Dictionary of Women's Education in the United States (EHS Ref. LC1752 .H57 1998)

Biographical information on female educators, as well as information about significant events in the history of women's education in the United States.

Historical Encyclopedia of School Psychology (EHS Ref. LB1027.55 .H57 1996)

500 brief entries on historically significal terms in the field of school psychology, which is differentiated from the broader field of educational psychology  in the following manner: "Educational psychology studies the general processes of learning and instruction, while school psychology studies the individual learner's adjustment to those processes"(x).

International Encyclopedia of Adult Education and Training (EHS Ref. LC5215 .I586 1996)

International Encyclopedia of Educational Technology (EHS Ref. LB1028.3 .I558 1996)

Includes over 100 essays on topics relevant to the creation, use, assessment, and social context of instructional technologies. Includes nineteen new essays, with the remainder drawn from The International Encyclopedia of Education

(EHS Ref. LB15 .I568 1994).

International Encyclopedia of Teaching and Teacher Education (EHS Ref. LB17 .I56 1995)

More than 120 essays with broad categories including "The Nature and Characteristics of Teachers," "Theories and Models of Teaching," and "Teaching Skills and Techniques."

International Higher Education: An Encyclopedia (EHS Ref. LB15 .I59 1991)

A two-volume work; provides 67 lengthy essays on important topics in comparative higher education and on major countries and geographic regions around the world. A valuable resource for statistical information on higher education worldwide (through the 1980's) and for interpretation of those statistics.

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GENERAL RESOURCES

Cabell's Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Education (EHS Ref. Z286 .E3 C32 1998)

Provides descriptions of education journals in all fields, including scope of content, submission guidelines, and editorial addresses.

Education Resource Organizations Directory (http://www.ed.gov/Programs/EROD)

Encyclopedia of Educational Research (EHS Ref. LB15 .E5 1992)

Earlier editions of this work also are housed in EHS Reference.

Historical Dictionary of American Education (EHS Ref. LB15 .H57 1999)

Provides biographical information on educators, as well as information about educational movements, significant events, and institutions.

International Encyclopedia of Education (EHS Ref. LB15 .I568 1994)

Twelve volumes. Includes over 1,200 lengthy essays (average length 4,000 words) organized into 22 topical sections. Section headings include "Adult Education," "Curriculum," and "Instructional Technology."  Each entry includes valuable lists of references and suggestions for further reading.

International Handbook of Educational Reform (EHS Ref. LA135 .I58 1992)

Lengthy essays on educational reform movements in 27 different countries during the 1980s, plus additional essays on topics of interest acros national boundaries such as "Women and Higher Education Reform."

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