The Most Popular Encyclopedia, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the encyclopedia you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:37
People often turn to encyclopedias to sift through the clutter of information available online, aiming to find thoroughly researched and detailed explanations of every conceivable topic. By determining which encyclopedia ranks as the most favored, users gain insights into trusted sources where accuracy and depth of information are paramount. Such rankings help guide readers toward resources that offer reliable and comprehensive content.
An ongoing vote allows users to shape these rankings directly, reflecting collective preferences and experiences. As more individuals contribute their votes, the rankings evolve, ensuring that the most appreciated and useful resources are highlighted. This dynamic voting process encourages community engagement and keeps the list as current and relevant as possible.
What Is the Most Popular Encyclopedia?
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176votesWith over 6 million articles in English alone,Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that can be edited by anyone. It provides millions of articles on various topics, contributed and maintained by a global community of volunteer editors. Users can access and edit the content in multiple languages, making it one of the largest and most widely used collaborative knowledge resources on the internet.
- User-generated Content: Wikipedia allows users to create and edit articles, making it a collaborative platform for knowledge sharing and creation.
- Multilingual Interface: Wikipedia offers content in multiple languages, enabling users from around the world to access information in their preferred language.
- Open Source Software: The software powering Wikipedia is open source, allowing developers to contribute to its development and customization.
- Community-driven Editing: Wikipedia relies on a community of volunteer editors who monitor and contribute to the content, ensuring accuracy and quality.
- Vast Article Collection: Wikipedia houses millions of articles covering a vast range of topics, making it a comprehensive resource for information seekers.
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229votes
SEWilco · CC BY-SA 3.0Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Britannica has been a trusted source of information for over 250 years, offering in-depth articles on a wide range of topics. It is known for its accuracy and reliability, making it a popular choice for academic research.The Encyclopædia Britannica is one of the most popular and comprehensive general knowledge encyclopedias. It consists of a wide range of articles covering various subjects, including history, science, arts, literature, and more.- Publication Year:: 1768 (first edition)
- Physical Volumes (2010 edition):: 32 volumes
- Online Availability:: Available as a digital subscription
- Number of Articles:: Over 120,000 articles
- Contributors:: Numerous subject matter experts and scholars
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324votes
Nataev · CC BY-SA 3.0World Book Encyclopedia
World Book, Inc.The World Book Encyclopedia has been a popular choice for students and educators since 1917. It features over 25,000 articles and is updated annually, making it a reliable source of information.The World Book Encyclopedia is a comprehensive and popular general reference work that provides accurate and up-to-date information on various subjects. It is designed to cater to both children and adults, making it suitable for educational purposes as well as personal use.- Publication Year: First edition in 1917, regularly updated
- Number of Volumes: 22 volumes in the print edition (2020)
- Articles: Over 26,500 articles
- Authors: Written by a team of experts
- Content: Wide range of topics: science, social studies, literature, arts, technology, etc.
World Book Encyclopedia in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most reliable encyclopedia
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45votes
Microsoft Encarta
Microsoft CorporationAlthough no longer in production, Microsoft Encarta was once a popular digital encyclopedia that offered multimedia content, including videos, animations, and interactive maps.Microsoft Encarta was a multimedia encyclopedia developed and published by Microsoft Corporation. It provided a range of content including articles, videos, images, and interactive multimedia features. Encarta was available in multiple languages and offered comprehensive information on a wide range of topics.- Release Date: 1993
- Final Version: 2009
- Platform: Windows
- Language support: Multiple languages
- Content: Articles, videos, images, interactive multimedia
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516votes
Jonathan Schilling · CC BY-SA 4.0The Columbia Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work that covers a wide range of subjects, from history and literature to science and technology. It is known for its concise and clear writing style.The Columbia Encyclopedia is a highly regarded and widely used general knowledge encyclopedia. It provides comprehensive and authoritative coverage on a wide range of subjects, including history, literature, science, and the arts. The encyclopedia is known for its concise yet informative entries that are accessible to a wide audience.- First Edition: 1935
- Latest Edition: Sixth Edition (2000)
- Total Entries: 51,000+
- Word Count: 6 million+
- Illustrations: 4,300+
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69votesThe New World Encyclopedia is a free, online encyclopedia that offers over 25,000 articles on a wide range of topics. It is known for its global perspective and its emphasis on cultural diversity.The New World Encyclopedia is a comprehensive and popular online encyclopedia that covers various topics, including history, geography, science, arts, religion, and more. It aims to provide accurate and reliable information to users worldwide.
- Online availability: Accessible through a website
- Content: Covers a wide range of topics
- Languages: Available in multiple languages
- Open editing: Allows registered users to contribute and edit articles
- Editorial control: Content is reviewed and monitored by editors
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76votesThe Oxford English Dictionary is the definitive source for the English language, featuring over 600,000 words and their meanings. It is known for its historical and etymological information.The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a comprehensive and widely respected dictionary of the English language. It is considered one of the most authoritative and scholarly references for English words and their meanings, history, and usage.
- 1: Comprises 20 volumes of printed text
- 2: Includes over 600,000 entries, ranging from historical to modern English vocabulary
- 3: Provides detailed etymologies, defining words in chronological order of their appearance in literature
- 4: Covers a wide range of English language variants, including regional, dialectal, and technical vocabulary
- 5: Offers extensive quotations and examples to demonstrate word usage throughout history
Oxford English Dictionary in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most reliable encyclopedia
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83votesThe Encyclopedia of Life is an online collaborative project that aims to document all living species on Earth. It features over 1.9 million species pages and is constantly updated by a global network of scientists and volunteers.The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is a free-access online encyclopedia that aims to provide information on all known species on Earth. It serves as a comprehensive and authoritative resource for researchers, educators, and the general public interested in exploring the diversity of life forms. EOL's primary goal is to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation for biodiversity.
- Data Coverage: Over 1.9 million species
- Multilingual Support: Content available in multiple languages
- Structured Data: Taxonomic information and factual details about species
- Rich Media: Images, videos, and sounds related to species
- Species Pages: Dedicated pages for each species with detailed information
Encyclopedia of Life in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most reliable encyclopedia
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96votesThe Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a free, online resource that offers in-depth articles on philosophical topics. It is written and edited by experts in the field, making it a reliable source of information.The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) is a comprehensive online encyclopedia that provides authoritative and up-to-date information on various topics in philosophy. It is considered one of the most popular and respected sources for philosophical research and knowledge.
- Content Coverage: Covers a wide range of topics in philosophy including metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, logic, aesthetics, and more.
- Peer-Reviewed: All articles are written by experts in the field and undergo a rigorous peer-review process.
- Open Access: The encyclopedia is freely available to anyone with an internet connection.
- Regularly Updated: Articles are regularly reviewed and updated to maintain accuracy and incorporate new research and insights.
- Detailed Citations: Provides comprehensive citations and references for further reading and research.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most reliable encyclopedia
- Position 5 of 10 in Most reliable source of information on the Internet
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107votesHerbermann, Charles George, 1840-1916 · Public domainThe Catholic Encyclopedia is a reference work that offers information on Catholicism and related topics. It is known for its thorough and authoritative coverage of the Catholic faith.The Catholic Encyclopedia is an English-language encyclopedia of the doctrine, history, and overall knowledge of the Catholic Church. It provides a comprehensive resource for understanding various aspects of the Catholic faith.
- Publication Date: The Catholic Encyclopedia was first published in 1907 and completed in 1914.
- Volume Count: The encyclopedia consists of fifteen volumes.
- Scope: It covers a wide range of Catholic topics including theology, philosophy, history, biographies, and various aspects of Church life.
- Authors: The encyclopedia had contributions from hundreds of respected scholars and experts in their respective fields.
- Multilingual Editions: Translations of the encyclopedia have been published in various languages, including Spanish, French, and German.
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Ranking factors for popular encyclopedia
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Content quality and accuracyThe information provided should be well-researched, reliable, and accurate. It should be regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the latest knowledge and developments in various fields.
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AccessibilityThe encyclopedia should be easily accessible, user-friendly, and available in multiple formats, including online and print versions. Its interface should be easy to navigate, and it should offer easy search options to help users find the information they need quickly and efficiently.
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Breadth and depth of coverageA popular encyclopedia should cover a wide range of topics and subjects, from history and science to arts and culture. It should provide both general overviews as well as detailed information to cater to different reader interests and requirements.
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Credibility and reputationThe encyclopedia's credibility and reputation within the academic community, as well as among general readers, is an important factor to consider. A widely respected and cited source is likely to have a higher degree of trustworthiness and reliability.
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Readability and clarityThe writing style should be clear and informative, making it easy for readers to understand complex concepts and ideas. This includes the use of relevant illustrations, diagrams, and charts to support the text.
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Citations and referencesThe encyclopedia should provide proper citations and references to its sources, allowing readers to verify the information and explore further if desired. This demonstrates the credibility and accuracy of the information provided.
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Availability in multiple languagesA popular encyclopedia should be available in multiple languages to cater to a wider audience. This increases its global reach and helps disseminate knowledge across linguistic barriers.
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Regular updates and revisionsThe encyclopedia should be updated and revised regularly to ensure that its content remains relevant and accurate. This also helps maintain its credibility and reputation as a reliable source of information.
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Collaborative and participatory featuresIn the case of online encyclopedias, allowing users to contribute, edit, and discuss the content can be an added advantage, as it promotes a sense of community, collaboration, and continuous improvement of the information.
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Cost and affordabilityFinally, the popular encyclopedia should be affordable and accessible for a large user base, ensuring its reach to a wide audience. For online encyclopedias, free access or a reasonable subscription cost is preferable.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular encyclopedia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Encyclopedia is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2949 views
- 176 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Encyclopedia once every 24 hours. The rank of each Encyclopedia is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular encyclopedia
Encyclopedias have been a valuable source of information for centuries. From the earliest printed volumes to the digital age, these reference works have provided readers with a wealth of knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. Today, there are many different encyclopedias available, both in print and online. While some focus on specific areas of knowledge, such as science or history, others strive to be comprehensive, covering everything from A to Z. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which encyclopedia is the most popular. However, through careful analysis of user data, we have identified a clear frontrunner in the world of encyclopedias.
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