Now can be the time for Google! You can get ideas and background information from what you find. Two things to keep in mind:
- Remember to evaluate your sources so you know whether the information you find is trustworthy.
- You may not be allowed to use the information you find from Googling depending on your assignment. If you're not sure, ask your professor!
Reliable sources
The University Library has sources for background information, too!
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Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
Comprised of the content in hundreds of reference sources (over 1.1 million items, mostly encyclopedia articles) published through the Gale Virtual Reference Library available at W&L. You can see the list of available titles by clicking on the "Title List" option, next the upper-right corner of the page.
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CQ Researcher
Original, authoritative reports on newsworthy social and political issues, including public policy, law, civil liberties, international affairs, economics, health, education, the environment, technology, and more. Every report includes an overview of the issue, chronology, pro/con debate, and bibliography.
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Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
A premier online reference product, Oxford Reference spans 25 subject areas with results that range from short-entry, general reference to in-depth articles on specialized subjects. Oxford Reference includes specialized titles from Oxford University Press's award-winning Encyclopedias and Companions.