Reference books are excellent tools, especially when you are beginning a research project. They give broad overviews, orienting you to the larger context in which your topic occurs. They can provide definitions and give you ideas for search words. They might also clue you in to the major thinkers in your area. Sometimes they provide resources for further reading, giving you an instant source list. This list is not comprehensive. Please browse the shelves nearby to find more (books about similar topics are shelved together). Reference books are on the main floor of the library facing Beck Hall.
Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict by 
Encyclopedia of Romantic Nationalism in Europe by 
Border Disputes by 
Historical Dictionary of Human Rights by 
The Oxford Handbook of Political Executives by 
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of International Relations by 
The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization by 
The Oxford Handbook of Global Policy and Transnational Administration by 
LGBTQ Americans in the U. S. Political System [2 Volumes] by 
Guide to the Presidency and the Executive Branch by 
Guide to Congress by 
Guide to the U. S. Supreme Court SET by 