Berntsen Library: HIS3156 History of Russia from the Earliest Times to the Present: Find Background Information

Background Reading

Background reading is an essential starting point to any research project. The purpose of background reading is to get an overview of your topic, and to begin to become acquainted with the key terms, names, and events associated with your topic.

Find and read an article in a subject-specific reference book or eReference database. The Berntsen Library collects reference books in both print and online formats. (*Note: Reference books are considered tertiary sources and are not typically referred to or cited in research papers.)

Use the eReference databases listed below to find background articles about your topic.

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo reference delivers full-text entries as well as images, audio files and videos.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
CQ Researcher provides in-depth coverage of current issues. The reports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked.
Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Pro vs. con essays that present multiple sides of current or controversial issues. Plus magazine and newspaper articles, primary sources, and more related to those issues.

Reference Books for Background Reading

These subject-specific reference books are available at the Berntsen Library. They are worth a trip to the library in order to get a concise, authoritative overview of your topic as you begin your research. Search Library Search, or browse the 900s section of the Reference collection to find more history reference books.