Library Research for College Students: Step-by-Step

Background Information

• This means the basic facts, vocabulary or terms, ideas, and concepts  related to your topic.
• Use reference sources to find background information

 Use  Encyclopedia and Reference Databases to Find Background Information

• Reference sources--encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, almanacs, guidebooks, etc.--are the perfect place to start your research. 
• Begin your search by entering a single word or a short phrase into the search box.
  • pandemic
  • "college education."
  • nursing
  • "World War II"
  • fly-fishing
• Skim the list of articles that appear.
  • Click on a title of an article that looks interesting.
  • Scan it for important facts and jot them down.
    • Link to the LibGuide: Notes: Methods and Resources for Taking Notes below
  • Use the email or share tool to email yourself the article so you have instant access to it
• Encyclopedia Databases at Western Library 
  • Credo Reference 
  • Britannica Library
  • Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia
• Skim and scan the article to identify the basics about your topic. Ask and answer questions:
  • who? (names of the different people associated with your topic)
  • what?(definitions and other facts that help your audience get a clear picture of your topic)
  • when? (important dates and timelines as one way of setting the scene for your audience)
  • where? (places - such as cities, states, countries, organizations, governments- or locations - water, mountains, outer space, etc - another way to set the scene for your audience)
  • why? (what are/were the reasons, causes, possibilities, ideas associated with your topic - to provide context about the importance of your topic).