LibGuides: Computer Information: Background Research

Why Conduct Background Research?

To gain familiarity with your topic.

To narrow your topic by finding specific aspects on which to focus.

To provide historical and social context.

To identify experts related to the topic.

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
A collection of edited research books. Try the Concept Map!
Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Edited and specialized research ebooks.

Britannica Academic This link opens in a new window
High-quality and professionally edited quick information.

Statista This link opens in a new window
Statistical data from thousands of credible sources.

Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary This link opens in a new window
America’s largest, most comprehensive dictionary,
Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
Widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Includes several dictionaries.

Gale Literature This link opens in a new window
Journal articles and other scholarly sources for author research, literary criticism, and overviews of primary texts.
ProQuest One Literature This link opens in a new window
Scholarly resources on literary topics.
Literary Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Literary research including overviews, criticism, and overviews, from academic journals and scholarly ebooks. Includes full text ebooks of literary classics.