LibGuides: Start Your Research: Select a Potential Topic

Select a Potential Topic

If you are unfamiliar with your potential topic, you may need to research background information before you can develop a strong research question. Background information can come in many forms. You may hear a librarian or professor refer to the sources that contain this type of information as "reference books." Background information can help you identify key names, dates, events, issues, concepts, and terms associated with the topic.

Here are a few sources we suggest you explore:

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
This is a great place to start your research, with dictionary definitions and encyclopedia entries from a variety of reliable reference sources to provide you with lots of background information.
Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Includes encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. A great place to start your research!

• Wikipedia
A free, open content online encyclopedia created through the collaborative effort of a community of users.
Anyone registered on the site can create an article for publication; registration is not required to edit articles.

Wiley Online Library: Reference Works
A collection of over 225 E-reference books in the humanities and social sciences, including business and economics, history, language and linguistics, literature and cultural studies, philosophy and religion, and sociology and psychology. This is a good place to start your research.