Research as Inquiry

Once you have chosen a topic, whether familiar with it or not, it is imperative to locate introductory sources to obtain background information about the subject, providing you with an understanding of the arguments and expands on key points. Finding background information at the beginning of your research is especially important if you are unfamiliar with the subject area, or not sure from what angle to approach your topic. Some of the information that a background search can provide includes:

• Broad overview of the subject
• Definitions of the topic
• Introduction to key issues
• Names of people who are authorities in the subject field
• Major dates and events
• Keywords and subject-specific vocabulary terms that can be used for database searches
• Bibliographies that lead to additional resources

This information can be located in the types of Sources for Background Information, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and online reference sources discussed in the previous module.