EMF Research tips Research tips You need to enter the library with some basic tools. I recommend you keep a running column on paper of all the different terms that may be related to your topic, so you can systematically search for them. It is a good idea to begin by going to the Index volume of a reputable encyclopedia and looking up the term. Then, use the different articles where the term is defined to collect synonyms. You may want to photocopy an especially important or especially dense article.
Textbooks are also a good place to collect more background or context information.
Both textbooks and good encyclopedias will provide you with a short list of good books on the subject. These are valuable references to start your search. Recognize that you need to become familiar with the last names of the main writers in your field. Search for articles and books by the main authors in the field when don't find good resources by searching for your subject synonyms. Remember, you're not just looking for information, you're looking for synonyms for your list.