You should become familiar with the language used and background information on your topic. A great way to do this is by looking in a reference source. Reference sources such as encyclopedias (including Wikipedia), dictionaries, and atlases can help you understand your topic by giving you definitions, stating key persons in that field, and providing lists of additional resources. Once you have a better understanding of your topic, it will be easier to put together search terms to find relevant materials.
Many instructors frown upon using Wikipedia to cite as a source because it can be edited by anyone and is constantly being edited. However, it is a great place to start your research to become familiar with your topic, find additional resources, and learn the language of that topic.
Below is a list of items to consider when learning more about your subject:
If you're not sure how to write a research paper, take a look at our Research Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide. It will help you figure out where to start and what to do.
You can access the library resources from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. Simply login when prompted with your Butte College email and password. If you are having issues logging in, please contact the reference desk at 530-879-4024 or referenceli@butte.edu.
Use the single search box on the library home page to search specifically for books and ebooks, or articles, or both at the same time.
