Background Info

Getting Started

The resources on this page are intended to help you plan your research, identify and refine your topic, build your keyword vocabulary, and find general sources. Explore the other pages on this guide for help locating specific sources for your research.

Research Starters

We all use Wikipedia, but if you want something authoritative and reliable, Britannica® Academic is a great option. Like all encyclopedias, this source is a good way to find background information on a topic. 

Note: Results will open in a small new window.

CQ Researcher is a great source for information about current events and controversies. However, it also has some useful historical information, usually about political events (ex. U.S.-Iran relations). We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take. 

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Opposing Viewpoints is a great source for information about current events, especially controversial ones. They provide a wide variety of sources on each topic - everything from opinion essays to scholarly articles. We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take.
Search POV Reference Center

This source is very similar to Opposing Viewpoints in Context - it's a good place to look for information on controversial issues.

Plan Your Research

Not sure how long it will take you to complete an assignment? Want to make sure that you're not stuck at the last minute? 

The Assignment Calculator can help you plan your work. Don't forget to email yourself the schedule, or print it - both options are at the bottom of the page.