Research Guides: EAP 1900: Rhetoric and Research Strategies: Find Background Information

Find Background Information on a Topic

Yes, you can use Wikipedia to find background information on your topic, but information available via the SLU Libraries is much more reliable and authoritative! Search these collections of reference eBooks to find quality background information on your topic.

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
10/25/1991-present. Each issue of this resource explores all sides of a "hot" current topic in some depth. Use it to find research topic ideas, refine a topic, or get background information on a topic.
Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL). A growing collection of reference books. Subjects include history, philosophy, religion, science, business, careers, literature, law, medicine, education, and more.
Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Provides pro-con resources for topics in the media by including the Opposing Viewpoints book series; journal, magazine, and newspaper articles; statistics; and more.

Reference Sources

There are many types of reference sources, including:

dictionaries
encyclopedias
biographical dictionaries
atlases
chronologies

These sources provide background information on a topic and can quickly prepare you for more in-depth research. They can also lead you to other sources if you read closely and make note of works cited that you might be interested in.