SJSU Research Guides: Writing Your Research Papers: Find Background Information

Background Information

Get you familiar with your topic (look for good search terms as you read)
Let you see the "big picture" (don't miss something really important)
Identify different views on the topic (extra important if you need to compare/contrast/persuade)

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Covers 1923 to the present. This weekly publication gives background information on current and controversial issues. Unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica This link opens in a new window
Full text of the 32-volume Encyclopædia Britannica (additional articles and images not available in the print set); Merriam Webster's Dictionary; over 130,000 links to web sites selected, rated, and reviewed by Britannica editors. Other resources include country comparisons and data analysis; history timeline; brief biographies; as well as articles from the New York Times and the BBC.
Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Provides an excellent first-step in researching any current social issue. Includes pro-con articles, opinion pieces, newspaper pieces, scholarly articles and information from many other types of sources, all full text.

Wikipedia
What?! Yes, it's okay to start your research at Wikipedia, just don't end up there. Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, so it is not considered a reputable source.