Overview: encyclopedias and dictionaries that provide background information.

Finding Books: suggestions for finding books at Appalachian State University, UNC-Asheville, and Western Carolina University (WNCLN Catalog) and at other institutions (WorldCat), including a list of subject headings and call numbers.

Finding Articles: suggested databases for finding journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.

Design Elements: select list of resources for lighting, wayfinding and signage, sustainable design, space planning, and building codes.

Websites: links to research guides, organizations, building codes, demographic information, as well as information on evaluating websites.

Research Help: includes tutorials on library services, evaluation of resources, avoiding plagiarism, as well as tools for composing a list of works cited and links to writing websites and manuals.

The scope of this guide is to help you begin the general research process by providing online and print starting points for your research.

For more in-depth research assistance, please request a rap session (research consultation) by filling out the RAP Request Form and I would be happy to meet with you.

The following is a select list of general handbooks, guides, and encyclopedias. For more specialized resources on lighting, wayfinding & signage, space planning etc., see the Design Elements tab.