Last updated 5 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a cornerstone resource for education research and information in the United States. Sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, ERIC is the world’s largest index of education literature and resources, serving educators, researchers, students, policymakers, parents, and the public.
What is ERIC?
ERIC’s mission is to identify and make high-quality education research widely accessible through a user-friendly, searchable website. This supports the broader aim of IES to provide rigorous and relevant evidence to ground education practice and policy in formats useful to a wide range of stakeholders.
The purpose of ERIC is to:
- Collect and index education research materials
- Enable users to understand and implement effective educational practices
- Provide resources to evaluate education policies
- Expand knowledge of education research
History and Development
- Founded in 1966, ERIC is one of the earliest computerized libraries
- Initially managed federally funded research reports
- Evolved from paper and microfiche to a comprehensive digital network
- Covers all levels of education from early childhood to adult learning
- Includes content from all U.S. states, territories, and freely associated states
- Incorporates international content relevant to U.S. education
Types of Resources in ERIC
ERIC serves as a gateway to a diverse collection of education-related materials, including traditional academic journals and “grey literature” (materials not published through traditional commercial channels).
Journal Articles
- Citations and abstracts from over 1,000 education-related journals
- Many provide links to full-text versions
- Comprehensive indexing of journals where over 80% of articles focus on education
- Selective indexing of education-relevant articles from other journals
ERIC Documents (EDs)
- Research reports
- Technical reports
- Conference papers and proceedings
- Curriculum and teaching guides
- Dissertations and theses
- Policy papers
- Evaluation reports
- Books
- Many available in full text as PDF files
Additional Materials
- Books and monographs relevant to education
- Conference papers presenting preliminary research findings
- Educational program descriptions and evaluations
Who Can Benefit from ERIC?
Various stakeholders in the U.S. education community can effectively use ERIC:
Educators
Teachers, administrators, counselors, and other practitioners can find:
- Evidence-based strategies
- Best practices
- Curriculum guides
- Materials to improve teaching and support student learning
Researchers
ERIC provides a comprehensive database for:
- Conducting literature reviews
- Identifying research gaps
- Exploring methodologies and theoretical frameworks
- Staying current with the latest findings
Students
From undergraduate to doctoral levels, students can find:
- Scholarly articles
- Reports
- Materials for assignments, research papers, and dissertations
Policymakers
ERIC offers:
- Policy papers
- Research reports
- Evaluations to inform education policies at local, state, and national levels
Parents
Parents can access information on:
- Educational practices
- School policies
- Specific learning needs
- Early childhood education
- Learning disabilities
- Parental involvement
How to Access ERIC
Users can access ERIC through:
- The official website at eric.ed.gov
- Library databases that license ERIC content (e.g., EBSCOhost and ProQuest)
While the core content remains the same across platforms, licensed versions may offer additional functionalities and seamless links to library subscriptions.
Search Functionalities
ERIC offers robust search capabilities to help users efficiently locate relevant information.
Basic Keyword Searching
- Enter terms in the main search box
- ERIC searches across title, author, source, abstract, and descriptor fields
- Use quotation marks around specific phrases for more precise results
- Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) can refine search queries
Advanced Search Options
- Specify search terms within particular fields (author, title, subject)
- Limit results by:
- Publication date
- Education level
- Target audience
- Document type
- Peer-reviewed status
Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors
- Contains nearly 12,000 education-related terms
- Includes descriptors (preferred terms) and synonyms
- Improves search precision and relevance
- Each thesaurus entry provides:
- Scope notes
- Broader terms
- Narrower terms
- Related terms
ERIC in Practice: Examples of Use
ERIC has played a vital role in advancing educational research and practice in the United States in numerous ways:
Research Support
Researchers use ERIC to:
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews
- Identify existing research
- Build upon previous findings
- For example, a study on virtual labs in science education might use ERIC to identify prior research
Program Development
Educators and curriculum developers use ERIC to:
- Find evidence-based practices
- Research to inform new educational programs
- Design effective interventions
- For instance, a school district might consult ERIC for strategies to teach English language learners
Policy Formation
Policymakers utilize ERIC to:
- Access research and reports
- Gather evidence for policy development
- Evaluate existing education policies
Student Resources
Students use ERIC to:
- Find materials for research papers
- Gather sources for projects and theses
- Access scholarly and practical resources
Professional Development
Educators use ERIC to:
- Stay updated on the latest research
- Learn best practices
- Support ongoing professional growth
Selection Criteria
ERIC employs rigorous criteria for selecting and indexing educational resources to maintain its reliability and authority:
Relevance to Education
- All materials must directly relate to education
- Topics align with the authorizing legislation of the Institute of Education Sciences
Quality Standards
Materials are evaluated based on:
- Completeness
- Substantive merit in addressing education professionally
- Utility and importance to current issues in education
- For journals: scholarly affiliation of editors and review board members, clarity of research presentation, and peer-review processes
Peer Review Status
- ERIC indexes both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed materials
- Records are clearly marked if content has undergone recognized peer review (blind or expert)
Language Requirements
- Materials are primarily in English
- Non-English materials must have full-text translation available in English
Ongoing Evaluation
- ERIC periodically reviews its collection
- Ensures sources continue to meet selection standards
- Considers emerging trends and new content sources
Recent Updates and Features
ERIC continuously evolves to better serve its users. Recent updates include:
Enhanced Public Access
- Improved access to federally funded research
- Full-text of ED-funded work available as website text immediately after publication
- Reduced waiting period for access
- Machine-readable format for broader analysis
Quality Assurance
- Periodic re-review of all sources
- New sources reviewed three years after initial acceptance
- All sources undergo re-review every five years
U.S. Focus
- Re-prioritization of international content
- Greater focus on serving U.S. stakeholders
- Ensures database effectively serves U.S. educators, parents, policymakers, and researchers
Submission Process Updates
- Online submission process updated
- Focus on accepting submissions from U.S. federal awardees for published journal articles
Citing Materials from ERIC
Properly citing ERIC materials is crucial for academic integrity. The appropriate citation style depends on the context and specific guidelines provided by instructors or publications.
Journal Articles
Include:
- Author(s)
- Publication year
- Article title
- Journal title
- Volume and issue number (if applicable)
- Page numbers
- ERIC journal number (EJ#) if available
ERIC Documents (EDs)
Include:
- Author(s)
- Publication year
- Title of the report or document
- ERIC document number (ED#)
- URL if accessed online
Online Resources
Always include the full URL when citing online resources.
Additional Resources
For more information about ERIC:
- Visit the official ERIC website: eric.ed.gov
- Check for updates and news at eric.ed.gov/?note
- Contact the ERIC help desk for assistance with specific questions
- Explore ERIC training materials and tutorials available on the website
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.