Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide: 1d. Find Background Information

Background information can be found in:

• textbooks
• dictionaries
• general encyclopedias
• subject-specific encyclopedias 
• article databases

These sources are often listed on the Books & E-Books tab of our subject guides.

Once you have identified some keywords, the next step is to find background information on your topic. Background research:

• Provides a good overview of the topic if you are unfamiliar with it.
• Helps identify important facts -- terminology, dates, events, history, organizations, etc.
• Can help refine your topic.
• Leads to bibliographies which provide additional sources of information.