How Do I

Background information can be found in:

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

Reference Books [both print and online] can be found in the library catalog.  Try a keyword search for your area of interest and encyclopedia or dictionary.  Handbooks and companions may also be helpful.

Example:

• (science OR scientific) AND encyclopedia
• virus AND encyclopedia
• film AND dictionary
• "civil war" AND encyclopedia
• "caribbean literature" AND companion

Background research:

• Provides an overview of the topic
• Helps identify important facts [terminology, dates, people, history, events, organizations, etc.]
• Can help refine your topic
• Leads to bibliographies, which provide additional sources of information
• Provides key terms, persons, etc. to add to database searches