Not sure how to start your research? Background and reference sources can help you...

• Gather initial information about a topic
• Get a rough overview so you can decide what areas to research further

Reference books and online tools are great for looking up a quick fact, definition, or date, and they can direct you to more sources.

If none of the suggestions on this page fit what you're looking for, try a search in the library catalog for your research topic and add "reference", "handbook", "guide", or "companion" to see what materials we have on your topic. 

Don't underestimate the value of reference materials and sources like Wikipedia to help set you up for future research!

Understanding different reference sources can be overwhelming! Use the following suggestions to help guide you.

When you are just starting out...

Use a dictionary or encyclopedia to gain background knowledge, develop a research question, and learn how your topic fits into a broader context. Try a free tool like Wikipedia or use one of the recommended online databases listed in the box below!

When you are collecting sources...

Once you have some background information, consult a research guide, handbook, or bibliography to identify what has been written about your topic and which major sources you'll need to read next. These can help steer you to great sources!

Next steps...

Explore books or look for academic articles. However you choose to structure your research, circling back to the reference sources listed on this page can help you build a thorough list of sources!

This online learning platform has a little bit of everything. Need a book or audiobook? A video tutorial or on-demand class? Find answers to computer science questions from basic to specific.