Preliminary exploration of your topic will provide you with key ideas, terminology, and/or dates necessary to help you to gain a better understanding of your research topic and can also provide ideas for narrowing the focus of your research topic if needed.
Subject encyclopedias, such as the titles included here, are specialized sources written by experts in that field and serve as excellent sources to gain a better understanding of your research topic. Although subject encyclopedias are excellent sources of background information, some course instructors may prefer that you not cite any encyclopedia in the references list of your research project. If you are not sure whether an encyclopedia is an appropriate source to cite, please ask your course instructor.
Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory
The Blackwell Companion to Criminology by 
An Introduction to Criminological Theory by 
Criminological Theories by 
A Dictionary of Criminal Justice by 
