Basic facts: The articles you read and cite in your paper will assume you already know the basic facts of your topic. You need to make sure you have a thorough understanding of the basics before you move on to more detailed research.
Vocabulary: Each field has it's own specialized terms for describing topics related to that field, which may differ from more common descriptions. By doing background research, you'll learn which terms academic writers are using to discuss the topic.
Narrowing your topic: Most students start off with a topic that's too broad to cover in a short paper. Doing background research will help you identify sub-topics or specific applications of your topic that might be easier to cover thoroughly.
Library resources to help with background information
Search for article on your topic, which provide detailed information written by experts in their field. Articles also contain links at the end of most paragraphs to explore related content where you might need further clarification.
AccessScience is a great place to get started with your research- browse for topic ideas and dive into background information with in-depth articles. Use the cross-reference links found throughout the article and in the related content sidebar to dive deeper into your topic with additional content on AccessScience. Be sure to keep track of additional related terms and keywords you discover to help as you broaden or narrow your future searches.