ENGL 128 Research Writing: Science, Engineering and Business (Wilber)

Online Reference Sources

Use the following online reference databases to find background information on English 128 research topics.

Databases: specialized library search tools that find info that is not generally available on the internet

  • Start with your broad topic area (example: immigration, diabetes, cloning, depression, campaign finance, air pollution, e-waste, etc.)

Good for research in all subject areas:

Good for research on current issues:

Reference Books in Print

Reference Books: Use in the library, photocopy, or scan

Look in the back of the book at the index.
The index will quickly tell you the page numbers where your topic is located

Some reference books to start with...

Why?

Use Background Info as a Starting Point

An overview of your broad topic area helps you understand...

  • what the key issues are and how you may want to refine your topic
  • who are the stakeholders (the groups or individuals this topic concerns)
  • a context of how your topic relates to the other issues that surround it
  • a historical perspective on your topic
  • specialized vocabulary or search words that are used in your field (you will use these words for searches later in your research process)
  • leads to further reading on your topic
  • Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 8:47 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.greenriver.edu/eng128_rooney
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