Before you dive into a research paper, it can be a good idea to do some background research. This will help you figure out a topic that is interesting to you, and introduce you to the major players in your particular area.
Many people do background research through sources like Wikipedia or general Google searching. You can also use a variety of specific encyclopedias that are available through the MSU Libraries.
Books and eBooks written generally about your research topic can make wonderful references sources, and help you decide what specifically about a topic you wish to focus on for further research. Consider searching our library catalog to find a book generally on your subject. When you find it on the shelves, the books around it should be on the same subject and may be other good resources to explore.
