Education: Background Information

Finding basic information about your topic helps you to understand the broader context of your research.  This is particularly important at the beginning of your research if you are unfarmliar with your topic or uncertain how to narrow the focus of the subject.

Background information can supply: 

1. Broad overview
2. Main concepts
3. Major dates and events
4. Definitions of terms associated with the topic
5. Names of people who are authorities in the subject field
6. Keywords and subject-specific vocabulary terms that can be used for database searches
7. Bibliographies that lead to additional resources

Types of resouces for background information :  Encyclopedias, Guides, Handbooks, Manuals, etc.  

A sampling of print books one would find when searching the online catalog by  the subjects Education or Effective Teaching or Teaching--Handbooks, Manuals, etc. for background information.  To find additional titles, use the Worldcat Discovery

CQ Researcher is often the first source that librarians recommend when researchers are seeking original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Founded in 1923 as Editorial Research Reports, CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy. Reports are published in print and online 44 times a year by CQ Press, an imprint of SAGE Publications.

Each single-themed, 12,000-word report is researched and written by a seasoned journalist. The consistent, reader-friendly organization provides researchers with an introductory overview, which includes three pro-con debates; a background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; a pro/con debate by representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.