**Publisher:** EBSCO Information Services
**Original Source:** Funk & Wagnalls, Inc.
**Subjects Covered:** General reference – arts, sciences, history, geography, current events, and popular culture

Overview

The Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia is a general reference database containing concise, reliable articles on thousands of topics across all major fields of knowledge. It includes over 25,000 entries written for a general audience, designed for students, educators, and the public seeking accurate introductory information. As part of the EBSCO suite, it integrates seamlessly with databases like Academic Search Ultimate, MasterFILE Complete, and Middle Search Plus, providing factual background and definitions that complement deeper research tools.

Scope and Content

• Entries: Over 25,000 full‑text encyclopedia articles.
• Coverage Areas: Arts, literature, history, geography, science, society, notable people, and current events.
• Reading Level: Middle school through early college (grades 6–12 and general adult).
• Update Frequency: Regularly updated to maintain accuracy and currency.
• Format: Full‑text searchable encyclopedia entries accessible through EBSCOhost.
• Language: English.

Strengths

• Reliable, concise reference content suitable for quick factual lookups.
• Broad coverage across multiple subjects supports general education and interdisciplinary research.
• Integrated within EBSCOhost—searchable alongside Academic Search Ultimate, Middle Search Plus, and related databases.
• Consistent editorial style ensures clarity and accessibility for non‑specialists.
• Ideal for definitions, summaries, and introductory context in early research stages.

Limitations

• Brief entries with limited depth or analytical content.
• No citations or bibliographies for further reading.
• Not peer‑reviewed; written by professional editors rather than subject specialists.
• Overlap with Britannica Academic and other general encyclopedias.
• Primarily text‑based; limited use of images or multimedia.

Best For

• Undergraduate students beginning research or exploring unfamiliar topics.
• K–12 and dual‑credit students seeking accurate, age‑appropriate information.
• Non‑specialists or community users needing accessible reference materials.
• Faculty and librarians supporting orientation, reference, or information literacy instruction.

Complementary Databases

Overall Evaluation

Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia is a trustworthy, easy‑to‑use general reference resource offering concise summaries of a wide range of topics. While not intended for advanced academic citation, it serves as an effective tool for background reading, definitions, and topic exploration. For South Dakota Mines, it supports first‑year and interdisciplinary research by helping students understand core concepts before consulting scholarly databases. It should be featured on the A‑to‑Z list as a general encyclopedia, with a note indicating it is best for background research rather than scholarly citation.

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