-- think about all the readings, anything you find it useful
-- from the topic, try some search on Summon, Google Scholar or OBIS to start with.
-- from what you have found, extend your search, using keyword generator; or Subject Heading search in OBIS, or particular database search for alternative keywords
And | Or | Not |
Each result contains all search terms. | Each result contains at least one search term. | Results do not contain the specified terms. |
The search heart and lung finds items that contain both heart and lung. | The search heart or lung finds items that contain either heart or items that contain lung. | The search heart not lung finds items that contain heart but do not contain lung. |
Background sources are written for a general audience and are intended to give an overview of a topic, fill gaps in the reader’s knowledge, and provide context for deeper understanding. Examples include Wikipedia, introductory textbooks, and reference works such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks.
When working on a new research topic, it is often helpful to begin with these three questions,
· What research question you want to answer in this paper?
· How to narrow down to specific topic?
· What are the available USEFUL resources for your topic?
Beginning with reading a basic overview of the subject is often a good start.
Encyclopedias and dictionaries provide such overviews to help you familiarize with relevant vocabulary and to provide useful suggestions for further readings.