Before starting your research, make sure you have a clear sense of what it is that you're looking for. Consider looking at more general sources to get a better understanding of the general topic. Some possible sources for this background searching, or presearch, are listed below.
Search hundreds of scholarly, subject-specific reference titles in many topic areas, including the arts, business, education, history, the sciences, technology, literature, and the social sciences. Excellent for in-depth overviews of terms or concepts. Search individual e-books or whole collections.
Search and read entries from over one hundred social science and science specialized reference encyclopedias published by Sage.
Organized by topic this resource provides an issue overview, background facts, point and counterpoint representing different points of view. Includes a critical analysis to assist the reader to evaluate controversial topics. Also includes essays, leading political magazine articles from all sides of the political spectrum, newspapers, radio & TV news transcripts, primary source documents and reference books.
Communications and Mass Media Complete offers full-text and cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts for journals in the fields of communications, mass media and related fields. Some major journals begins from 1915 forward.
Search a full-text collection of health related resources for consumers. Information is from encyclopedias, reports, images, videos and pamphlets.
Search authoritative consumer-focused health information. Includes health books and pamphlets. Useful to get plain language reading on a variety of health topics.