Skip to Main Content

CIS 112: Accelerated Composition & Communication

This guide includes library help information specially tailored for students in CIS 112. Spring 2024.

Background Research

Conducting Background Research (1:06) is an important part of the overall research process. This quick video will give you tips on how to go about this part of the process.

Find Background Information

Research topics are often formed from a vague or general idea. Background information is used for providing definitions, historical background, or context, and for enlarging your initial idea. Begin with Gale Virtual Reference Library to quickly locate information on your topic or to help you focus your topic idea.

Developing Keywords

When you have a topic in mind, it's a good idea to start thinking about words you might use in your search for information related to your topic. The video and tips below provide more information.

Before you can begin searching for information in a print or online resource, you need to identify keywords related to your topic. Key terminology can be found easily by scanning:

  • Your initial research questions,
  • Encyclopedia and other articles used when conducting background research,
  • Bibliographies found at the end of books and articles.

If you are still struggling, then try these suggestions:

  • Use a thesaurus to identify synonyms.
  • Find pictures related to your topic, then describe the picture.
  • Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend.

Find Articles

Academic Search Complete is a good place to find credible and scholarly articles on a variety of subjects. 

Academic Search Complete

Academic Search Complete Search Results

This clickable image is focused on Academic Search Complete search results and provides pop-ups explaining each important element.

 

Academic Search Complete Search Results

 

Find Other Databases

UK subscribes to hundreds of databases in a variety of disciplines. You'll likely find some relevant articles in Academic Search Complete, but it's good to know about the databases in your area of interest.

Research Guides provide the key databases in many disciplines plus other relevant library resources related to the subject.

Searching the database of databases allows you to find databases by their name or subject area(s).

How to Get Full Text

When searching for journal articles, you will notice the View Now button on many of your search results. Clicking on the View Now button will lead you to the article itself, links to the full text of the article, or it will let you know that we do not have full text of the article.

If the full text is not available, you can search InfoKat Discovery for a print copy of the article. If we do not have a print copy, you can request an interlibrary loan (ILL). For articles, these usually arrive pretty quickly.

Have questions? Ask Us for help.