The Most Reliable Encyclopedia, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the encyclopedia you think is the most reliable!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:53

In an age where information is as crucial as ever, discerning which sources are the most trustworthy can be daunting. A reliable encyclopedia offers a cornerstone of verified knowledge, critical for students, researchers, and the curious minds seeking facts amidst a sea of misinformation. Having a clear ranking of trusted encyclopedias aids in choosing the best source for one's needs, ensuring the information consumed is accurate and dependable. This live ranking, fueled by your votes, helps identify which encyclopedias stand out in terms of credibility and comprehensive coverage. Each vote casts a spotlight on the qualities that make an encyclopedia invaluable—such as depth of content, clarity of presentation, and consistency in updates. By participating, you contribute to a community-driven guide that steers everyone towards better, more reliable information.

What Is the Most Reliable Encyclopedia?

1

72
votes
Encyclopaedia_Britannica_1911.png: Encyclopaedia Britannica derivative work: Diego Grez return fire · Public domain

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is one of the oldest and most trusted sources of information, with a team of expert editors and contributors.
Encyclopedia Britannica is a renowned general knowledge reference work that provides comprehensive and reliable information on a wide range of topics. It is designed to be a reliable source of information for educational purposes, covering subjects such as history, science, literature, arts, and more.

Publication History: First published in 1768, with regular new editions released

Depth of Coverage: Comprehensive and in-depth articles written by highly-qualified experts

Editorial Integrity: Rigorous editorial process ensuring accuracy and credibility

Authoritativeness: Considered one of the most authoritative and reliable sources of information

Accessibility: Available in print and digital formats for easy access
Encyclopedia Britannica in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable source of information on the Internet
2

31
votes
Nataev · CC BY-SA 3.0

World Book Encyclopedia

World Book, Inc.

It is a comprehensive source of information for students and educators, with up-to-date content and multimedia resources.
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 3 of 10 in Most popular encyclopedia
3

21
votes
Dan (mrpolyonymous on Flickr) · CC BY 2.0

Oxford English Dictionary

It is the most authoritative source on the English language, with over 600,000 words and definitions.
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 7 of 10 in Most popular encyclopedia
4

20
votes
Koswac · CC BY-SA 3.0

Encyclopedia of Life

It is a global initiative to provide information on all species of life on Earth, with contributions from scientists and citizen scientists.
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 8 of 10 in Most popular encyclopedia
5

21
votes
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

It is a peer-reviewed and regularly updated source of information on philosophy, with contributions from leading scholars.
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 source of information on the Internet
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular encyclopedia
6

9
votes
Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Merriam-Webster

It is a trusted source for definitions and usage guidance for over 150 years.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is one of the most popular and widely used dictionaries in the English language. It is a comprehensive reference tool that provides definitions, pronunciations, and various other details about words in English.

Publication Date: First published in 1828

Size: Over 225,000 entries

Word Origins: Includes etymologies of words

Slang and Informal Usage: Covers informal vocabulary and slang terms

Pronunciations: Provides pronunciation guides for words
Merriam-Webster Dictionary in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular dictionary
7

3
votes
National Geographic Encyclopedia

National Geographic Society

It is a comprehensive resource on geography, environment, and natural history, with stunning visuals and multimedia features.
The National Geographic Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work that covers a broad range of topics from various fields, including science, history, geography, culture, and nature. It is designed to provide reliable and authoritative information to readers of all ages.

Publication Date: 2005

Number of articles: 13,000+

Number of illustrations: 3,500+

Number of maps: 300+

Number of charts and graphs: 200+
8

7
votes
The Catholic Encyclopedia

It is a reliable source of information on Catholicism, with contributions from scholars and experts.
The Catholic Encyclopedia is an authoritative and comprehensive reference work on all aspects of the Catholic Church, including its history, doctrines, rituals, and notable figures. It provides in-depth information and analysis on various topics within Catholicism.

Publication Date: The original edition was published between 1907 and 1914.

Number of Volumes: The original edition consisted of 16 volumes.

Scope: It covers a wide range of topics related to Catholicism, including history, theology, literature, art, science, philosophy, and more.

Authorship: The articles were written by different experts within the Catholic Church and renowned scholars of the time.

Language: The original edition was written in English.
9

5
votes
Encyclopedia Titanica

It is the most comprehensive source of information on the Titanic disaster, with detailed information on passengers, crew, and the ship itself.
Encyclopedia Titanica is an online encyclopedia dedicated to the RMS Titanic, the famous British passenger liner that sank in 1912. It covers a comprehensive range of topics related to the Titanic, including its history, construction, passengers, crew, and the disaster itself. The encyclopedia provides accurate and reliable information sourced from detailed research and extensive contributions from experts and enthusiasts around the world. It serves as a valuable resource for historians, researchers, and individuals interested in learning about one of the most iconic maritime tragedies in modern history.

Content Coverage: Comprehensive coverage of all aspects related to the Titanic.

Accuracy: Information sourced from reputable historical records and experts in the field.

Reliability: Known for its accurate and reliable information.

User Contributions: Accepts contributions from experts and enthusiasts around the world.

Multimedia Content: Includes a wide range of images, videos, and audio recordings related to the Titanic.
10

13
votes
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

It is a peer-reviewed and regularly updated source of information on philosophy, with contributions from leading philosophers.
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP) is a comprehensive and authoritative online encyclopedia covering a wide range of philosophical topics. It provides well-researched and peer-reviewed articles written by experts in the field of philosophy.

Scope: Covers a wide array of topics in the field of philosophy.

Content: Includes well-researched and peer-reviewed articles.

Extensiveness: Provides in-depth coverage of various philosophical concepts and theories.

Authoritative: Articles are written by experts in the field.

Accessibility: Available online for free, allowing easy access to its contents.

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Ranking factors for reliable encyclopedia

Accuracy

The encyclopedia should provide accurate and reliable information based on facts, research, and verified sources.
Editorial process

The encyclopedia's editorial process should be rigorous and thorough to ensure that the information is factual, unbiased and has gone through the process of being peer-reviewed by experts.
Coverage

The encyclopedia should have a broad range of topics, providing comprehensive coverage across various fields of study and disciplines.
Up-to-date information

The encyclopedia should be updated regularly to provide users with the latest information and research in various fields.
Reputation

The encyclopedia should have a reputation for providing high-quality, reliable information. This can be measured through third-party reviews and ratings.
Expertise

The encyclopedia should be created by experts in the respective fields, ensuring that the information being provided is accurate and comprehensive.
User experience

The encyclopedia should be user-friendly, searchable, and easy to navigate, making the information accessible to all users regardless of their expertise level.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most reliable 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

2923 views
205 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 reliable encyclopedia

When it comes to researching and learning about new topics, encyclopedias have been a trusted resource for generations. With the rise of the internet, online encyclopedias have become increasingly popular, offering convenience and accessibility to users around the world. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which encyclopedia is the most reliable. One measure of reliability is the accuracy and credibility of the information presented. Many traditional print encyclopedias, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, have established reputations for their rigorous editorial processes and fact-checking procedures. Online encyclopedias like Wikipedia have also taken steps to improve their accuracy, with a community of volunteer editors monitoring and verifying content. Other factors that may influence the reliability of an encyclopedia include the scope and depth of coverage, the authority of the authors or contributors, and the timeliness and relevance of the information provided. Ultimately, the most reliable encyclopedia will depend on the specific needs and interests of the user, as well as their personal preferences for style and format.