Getting Started with Pre-Research

When we conduct background research, we are looking for explainers or overviews:

• To gain familiarity with your topic.
• To determine if your topic is searchable. 
  • not enough results? broaden your search.
  • too many results? narrow your search.
• To provide historical and social context.
• To identify experts related to the topic.
• To learn additional keywords.
  • look for synonyms or additional terms related to your topic.
• To find a starting point for your research. 

Watch this short video to learn about beginning your research with search tools you already know - Google and Wikipedia. Never cite Wikipedia in an academic paper, but use it for pre-research and background information to get familiar with your topic. 

Click the image below to complete the Background Research Tips Tutorial to learn more about conducting background research.