3. Locating Background Information
Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find some background sources to read. These background sources are helpful in a number of ways:
• First, the background information gives you the overview and introduction to your topic to help you decide if this is the topic you should pursue.
• The background information helps you understand the broader context of your research.
• Background information helps you narrow down the topic to a manageable focus and to help you identify more keywords.
• The background information helps you get started with material to include in the writing of your paper.
• Background information, then, helps you decide on a topic, or, if you already have a topic, it provides you with some of the actual material for your paper.
Some of the ACC Library resources already mentioned as topic-finding tools also provide background information:
• Topic print resources: Taking Sides, Opposing Viewpoints, Current Controversies, At Issue, and CQ Researcher (as well as books in the library collection under various subjects).
• Online subscription topic tools: CQ Researcher, Issues & Controversies and Today's Science, and the periodical databases, such as ProQuest and EBSCOhost.
• Specialized websites under Topics & Issues on the Library Reference page.
Also, for background information, don't forget the encyclopedias.
• Print general encyclopedias in the Library, such as Britannica and World Book. Also specialized encyclopedias of philosophy, psychology, science/technology, medicine and biography.
• Online encyclopedias: On the ACC Library Web page under Other Databases, the Encyclopedia Britannica Online (available on-campus only) not only provides you many articles on various topics, but also links to periodical articles and reliable websites.
• Print reference resources: Besides the various kinds of encyclopedias mentioned here, the ACC Library reference section has various dictionaries, almanacs, statistical abstracts, books of quotations and so on.
• Online reference resources: The Ready Reference section at the Internet Public Library (www.ipl.org) lists reference websites for encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, statistics, quotations, and so on. The ACC Library Reference page also has helpful links for various types of information.
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