Background Information
Step 3: Find Background Information
Background information gives you an understanding of your main concepts so that you can do your journal research more effectively. Here's how...
- search each of your main concepts individually using reference materials (dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.)
- and be sure to stay on the lookout for other useful keywords for searching!
Finding a Controversy
Newspaper databases are a great way to find religious controversies.
Or you can look at some "hot topics"...
And use what you find to look up court cases!
Religion Reference Materials
- Credo Reference Database (see box below)
- Encyclopedia of Religion
- Encyclopedia of Religion and War
- Encyclopedia of Religion in America
- Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion
- Other Oxford Handbooks:
- And Routledge Handbooks:
General Reference
Reference materials are the place to go if you need factual information. Think encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri—simple, straight-forward information, presented in an easy-to-navigate format.
Credo Reference is a library database that has over 1000 reference books, including encyclopedias, dictionaries (English and foreign language), thesauri, and books of quotations. Use the search box above to begin using Credo.