Step 5: Find Background Information.
You need to locate reliable background information in order to
- Get an idea of what kind of information, generally, is out there on your topic
- Generate a list of more field-specific search terms and keywords for future searches
- Find a few good bibliographies that will get you started on the research trail
Here are a few great places to find background information in the Social Sciences:
- SAGE Knowledge (eBook database) - a database of subject-specific reference materials (like encyclopedias) in the Sociology and Criminal Justice fields.
- Credo Reference - a general reference database that covers a wide range of topics.
Don't forget, research is an iterative process. You'll likely have to continue refining your topic, your search terms, and your resources throughout your project.
When you are ready for Step 6: Searching for Scholarly Sources, Click Finding Scholarly Sources on the left menu to begin!
