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ENGL110 class page

Background Research

When you start a research project, give yourself some time to explore your topic through background research before you dive into books and scholarly articles. Background research can involve reading short articles or watching videos to get a better understanding of your research topic and its context. It can help you:

  • Understand the size and scope of a potential topic
  • Find subtopics that interest you
  • Identify keywords related to the topic

Databases for Background Research

The following databases can help you find overview articles about your topic. 

Strategies for Exploring a Topic