Resource Guides: INQ: Research Process: Background Research

Finding Background information: focusing your topic

Type of Source	Definition	Examples
Reference Sources	type of Secondary Source offers a summary or review of a subject	Dictionary Encyclopedia

Check out some of the digital reference sources

Why start with a reference source?

OVERVIEW:
provides a broad understanding of your topic.
SUB-TOPICS:
encyclopedias will divide your topic into areas of focus for you.
KEYWORDS (people, places, events, dates) :
as you get further into research, these are essential when searching for primary and secondary sources.

Can I use Wikipedia?

Wikipedia can be a good starting point to get ideas and to find actual sources. But it is NOT a reliable source itself.

The Good	The Sketchy
Well organized overview (broken up into easy-to-read chunks) Citations and resources at the bottom of the page	Anyone can edit the information Content must be verified with other, authoritative sources