Research Guides: Religion: Start Here

Start Here

Background research can give you a general understanding of a topic. Your research also may bring up important questions about a subject that you can use to begin deeper research.

Benefits of background research:

Helps you understand your topic before you begin targeted research.
Gain familiarity with the terminology used.
Get an idea of how much information is available on your topic.
Identifies unresolved issues, controversies, and places where knowledge is incomplete.

In other words, conducting background research will help you identify anything that can lead to interesting questions about the topic that might lead to solid research questions.

Adapted from Credo InfoLit Core Tutorial: Background Research Tips

Recommend Background Resources

Credo Reference Unlimited This link opens in a new window
Contains bilingual dictionaries and reference works in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
Encyclopedia of Religion This link opens in a new window
Presents a cross cultural approach that emphasizes religion’s role in everyday life and in different cultures.
The Brill Dictionary of Religion Online This link opens in a new window
Reference for the different theologies and doctrines of official institutionalized religions and other religious phenomena.
It helps to map out and define the networks and connections created by various religions in contemporary societies, and provides models for understanding these complex phenomena.
Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
Content of 300+ books published by Oxford University Press.