Research Planning--Part 4 Finding Background Information Authored by Ken Burhanna and Billie Reinhart The text only versions provide a linear presentation of the Hands-On flash modules.  The Hands-On modules often incorporate images and interactive presentations to help demonstrate and support the text.  These images and interactive features are lost in the text only format.  Users can supplement their reading of the text versions by going onto the World Wide Web and visiting the web sites and doing the searches that the text indicates.  This is most easily done by printing the text version and using it as a guide. After completing this module you will be able to: 1. Understand the Uses of Background Information 2. Identify Sources for Background Information 3. Search an Online Encyclopedia for Background          Information 4. Understand How to Use Bibliographies Introduction Because research is a process, you might need background information for any number of purposes:  to find ideas for topics, to focus your topic, to identify keywords for a search strategy, or to understand what additional information you need. In this module, our purpose will be to use background information to gain a fuller and more focused understanding of a general topic we have already selected. 1. Uses of Background Information Background information has many uses, but it will not be sufficient for meeting all your research needs.   Background information will help you:    - Understand how your topic fits into a broader field of study. - Define terms and clarify concepts related to your topic. - Identify people, dates, and issues surrounding your topic. - Identify sources for more in-depth research on your topic. 2. Sources for Background Information The following are the most common sources for background information: - General encyclopedias - Subject specific encyclopedias - Subject specific dictionaries - Almanacs - Articles from full text databases General Encyclopedias General encyclopedias are often a good place to begin looking for background information.  Because they are general, they are likely to have basic information on a wide range of topics. The University Library owns or has access to a variety of encyclopedias. Subject Specific Encyclopedias Subject specific encyclopedias focus on particular fields and provide more detailed information on topics, often written by experts. Examples of subject specific encyclopedias are:     - Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Larkin     - Encyclopedia of American Law by Schultz     - Encyclopedia of Psychology by Kazdin Finding Subject Specific Encyclopedias The University Library owns many subject specific encyclopedias.  To locate subject specific encyclopedias at CSU, go the SCHOLAR catalog and do a keyword search on: encyclopedias and [field of interest] For example to look for subject specific encyclopedias in biology, you would do a keyword search on: encyclopedias and biology Subject Specific Dictionaries Subject specific dictionaries provide detailed definitions not found in general dictionaries.  Subject specific dictionaries are often so detailed that they are more like encyclopedias than dictionaries.   Examples of subject specific dictionaries are:     - A Dictionary of Astronomy by Ridpath     - Mosby's Medical Dictionary by Anderson     - Dictionary of Multicultural Education by Grant Finding Subject Specific Dictionaries The University Library also owns many subject specific dictionaries.  To locate subject specific dictionaries at CSU, go to the SCHOLAR catalog and do a keyword search on: dictionaries and [field of interest] For example to look for subject specific dictionaries in nursing, you would do a keyword search on: dictionaries and nursing Almanacs Almanacs contain useful information and statistics about countries, events, and people.  Almanacs are usually general in nature, but some cover specialized topics. Examples of almanacs are:     - Information Please Almanac     - All About Ohio Almanac To located almanacs at CSU, go to the SCHOLAR catalog and do a keyword search on almanacs. Articles from Full Text Databases In some cases you may not find background information on your topic in traditional reference sources like encyclopedias.  This usually is the case with new or recent topics like music piracy on the Internet for example. In these cases, you should search full text databases like Academic Search Premier for articles that provide overviews of your topic.   3. Searching an Online Encyclopedia for Background Information As a learning exercise, let's go to an online general encyclopedias available on the University Library's home page and search for background information on the subject of abortion. Find and click the heading for Virtual Reference Desk.    Now locate the link for Encyclopedias and click it. Let's try the Columbia Encyclopedia.  Click on its link. Now enter the term abortion in the search box and click the "go" button. Your search should return several entries that discuss abortion.  Check out the first entry by clicking on it. You've successfully located a general article about abortion.  Next you would read the article, paying close attention to new words, terms, and concepts about your topic.                                      4. Using Bibliographies When reading a selection of background information, whether the material is found in an encyclopedia, dictionary, or article, check the end of the entry for a bibliography. A bibliography is another term for a works cited list.  It is a list of the sources (books, articles, etc.) the authors referred to in preparing their entry. Returning to the entry you found in the online Columbia Encyclopedia, you will find a brief bibliography at the end. This concludes Finding Background Information