Krupp Library: History: Background Reading

Do Some Background Reading

Build up some general knowledge about your topic. Reference sources, such as encyclopedias, can help you in getting context and perspective on a topic. Entries will often also include a reference list or resources used by the author. These provide great leads to track down more information on your topic.

These are two general encyclopedia databases that are a good place to find background information on your topic and will help you build a knowledge of the major concepts, subtopics, and search terms you can use for the next step in your research.

Britannica High School Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Includes topical articles, maps, photos, illustrations, videos, multimedia clips, and yearbooks from 1993 onward. Many entries also list suggested websites and related resources for additional reading on the subject.
Gale Sites This link opens in a new window
This is a link to all the databases provided by Gale, including several editions of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Create a Search

"Different Research Strategies." ProQuest, 23 Jan. 2014, youtu.be/ZJGXJ36sIGU.

This short video demonstrates how to make a word bank of search terms and phrases you can use to find information on your topic in databases. Watch the video until 5:56 minutes.

3 Tips for Online Searching

Learn how to use Boolean Operators to do effective searches.