Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. They will give you an idea of how much and what kind of information is available on a given topic. The most common background sources are encyclopedias and dictionaries from the reference collections and the Library Gateway.
Textbooks also provide background information.
Encyclopedias and dictionaries You can find encyclopedias and dictionaries for specific topics by using the CU Library Catalog, by checking the General Interest and Reference section of the Library Gateway, or by asking a reference librarian to suggest appropriate titles. For more general background you may wish to consult a good general subject encyclopedia like the Encyclopaedia Britannica Online or its traditional paper version, to be found in numerous libraries on campus. The sources cited in the bibliography are good starting points for further research. Look up these sources in the Cornell University Library Catalog . Check the subject headings listed in the subject field of the online record for these books and journals.