Background reading enables you to fine-tune the goals of your research project and point you in useful directions for further information gathering. Background reading can help you:
- Investigate a topic that is unfamiliar to you
- Identify significant concepts and their context within your topic
- Determine the scope of your research
- Getting an overview of a subject can often help you decide on whether your topic is too broad or too narrow
- Identify the important names, dates, and terms associated with your topic
- Understanding the who, what, where, when, and why of your topic will provide context for your own searches
- Identify topic authorities (eg. experts, scientists, academics)
- Checking the lists of works cited in your background readings can direct you to relevant resources for further reading and research
