State your topic idea as a question. Test the main concepts or keywords in your topic by looking them up in the appropriate background sources or by using them as search terms in the Library Catalog and in periodical indexes. 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. The most common background sources are encyclopedias and dictionaries from the reference collection.
Textbooks also provide background information.
Consult our periodical holdings list on bulletin board. InfoTrac - Generally reference books and magazine articles. Finally, if we can t find it, we can get it. You can rely on your Media Center for resources. Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.