By searching the reference databases (below) using your subject keywords, you will find information from encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, and more.  This background info will help you get up-to-speed quickly on your topic, start an outline for your paper, and assist you in writing your introduction.

For many assignments, you may be asked to to find only scholarly (or academic) articles. These articles are written by researchers or professionals, have been reviewed by scholars (you may also see the words "peer-reviewed" or "refereed"), and are found in academic and research journals.