Background research is essential for understanding concepts, terms, events, places and people who shape your topic. This knowledge base needs to be built *BEFORE* you start your formal research. Use this information to broaden or narrow your topic, formulate research questions, and build keywords.
Use encyclopedias and database articles to help fill in your background knowledge of your topic.
To find encyclopedias and database options go to the Library page on your school's website (under Resources).
Use these ABCs as a guide to critically evaluate information on the Web.
Authority
Who or what organization is publishing the content? Do they have the knowledge and expertise to publish information about this topic? Look in the About Us or Contact section of a site.
Bias/Purpose
Is this a commercial site that is trying to sell a service or a product? Does there appear to be a bias in how information is presented? Are there multiple points-of-view analyzed and expressed?
Content
Is the information correct? Read background information about your topic from a reputable source such as a database first and look for multiple sources.
Currency
Is there a publication or update date attached to the article or site? Look at the end of an entry or the bottom of a page.
Teaching Students How to Research
Always evaluate websites for information quality and reliability because anyone with a bit of knowledge about computers and the Internet can put information on the World Wide Web.
Research for school is different from personal research because academic research requires current, correct, and well-documented information written by institutions/people who are authorities on their subjects.
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ARTWORK
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BLOG |
BOOKS "Printed" work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on paper bound within covers -- may be electronic |
IMAGES |
INTERVIEWS |
MAGAZINES *may be available via databases |
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NEWSPAPERS *may be available via databases |
PAMPHLETS |
REFERENCE
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VIDEO/AUDIO |
WEBSITES |
