Get some background information-- you can't start your research without knowing something about your topic.
Start by listing questions related to your topic. What do you need to know in order to write knowledgeably on this topic?
These questions might include basic statistics (How many people have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes?), context questions (Does Type 2 diabetes affect a certain portion of the population--by age, race, sex, or ethnicity--more significantly than other populations?), etc., etc.
You can then turn to reference sources--dictionaries, encyclopedias, and books written for a general audience--to start to answer these questions.
- Search by general topics (“genetically modified foods”) and see what types of information come up.
- Most reference articles, whether print or online, will include a short bibliography that can get your research started.
Search the library catalog for a general topic, such as “African American” and “encyclopedia”
You can also look at the subject-based research guides to see if a librarian has recommended a specific online or print place to start your research.
Reference books are shelved in a special area of the library. If you need help locating one, head to the reference desk.
Online reference sources are usually made up of articles pulled out of academic dictionaries and encyclopedias. Start at the reference database page to find different library sources. Here are a couple of options to help you get started:
- Credo and Gale provide definitions of different academic subjects and concepts.
- CQ Researcher and Issues and Controversies both discuss current events, with lots of data and background information.
- Even looking at a Wikipedia article will get you a sense of the state of the subject: basic facts and current developments.
- There are other specialty reference sources that you can use, depending on your topic. Skim through the descriptions of the databases listed on that page to find the best match.