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University Library

Communications and Media Studies

Why do you need background information?

Finding background information is critical to starting your research on a topic. How can you know what to search for if you don't have a basic understanding of the topic? How can you develop keywords for your searches if you don't really know what you are looking for?

It is important to consult sources for basic information on a topic, so when you start digging through the different resources, you can be an informed searcher.

It can also help to brainstorm about your topic when you are getting started. Brainstorming helps you find a focus, and at the same time, generates extra terms to use to keep your searches flexible.

Library Resources for Finding Background Information

You will probably want to start by looking at reference sources for background information. These are things like encyclopedias and textbooks that will provide reliable information to help you learn about new topics. Most of these are online now and you may want to search through multiple sources to find the right information for your assignment. 

Finding Books

Books can be a great source for background information on a topic. OneSearch is the best place to find books in the library. We have ebooks and print books, and if we don't have what you need here, we can get it for you from another library. 

In the search box below, you can limit your search to Books from the All Items dropdown to make it easier to find what you want.  

Search OneSearch

Use this form to search OneSearch. You can choose whether to search keywords, or look for a specific title, author, or subject term. You can also narrow down to the type of item you're looking for.