Background

(02:13)

Getting My Facts Straight

Before I start collecting information sources, I want to be sure that I understand the basics: the vocabulary and any special meanings, important dates, important people, and important events. To do this, I am going to look for some reference sources to help me get started.

Research Step 1: Locating Background Information

Background information is usually located using reference tools, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, directories, handbooks, atlases, and more. They give a short synopsis of the important facts about the topic. It's a good way to start my research.

As a PSC student, I have multiple ways to locate reference sources:
  1. The Catamount Catalog (PSC) and the MountainLynx Catalog (WVU) to locate reference books (print and eBooks)
  2. Credo Reference, an online reference collection, and Salem Press Reference to locate reference articles
  3. CQ Researcher and Points of View to locate background and overview information, including pro/con articles on controversial aspects
  4. Specialized databases (see Databases by Resource Type) for articles and chapters in books
  5. Virtual Reference Shelf (Library of Congress)
  6. Web search tools (Google and Bing) to locate freely available reference sources
My Strategy for Locating Background Information

I am going to skip the Catamount Catalog and MountainLynx Catalog because they are also used in Step 2: Locating Books. Instead I am going to search Credo ReferenceSalem Press ReferenceCQ Researcher, and Points of View. At least one of them should give me something usable.

Video Links
Credo Reference
CQ Researcher
Points of View

My Reference Sources

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