The Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

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.

Background information can be found in:

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

Our research guides will guide you to the appropriate sources based on the subject of your topic. Reference databases that may be helpful for any topic are listed below.