5.4: Popular sources are good for background information

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What is background information?

Where do you go when you need to learn a little bit about a topic to better understand it? "Wikipedia" says most of us!

Most instructors won't allow you to use Wikipedia in your research as they worry about the credibility and accuracy of an open source encyclopedia. (Open source means it is free and anyone can contribute to it.) Worry not - CCC Library has more credible alternatives!

CCC Library offers two background information databases: Gale eBooks / Gale Virtual Reference Library and Opposing Viewpoints.

In this week's assignment, you'll be learning a bit more about the topic you've chosen to research this term. You'll find background information about your topic in Gale eBooks / Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL).

Where should I do background research?

Gale eBooks vs. Opposing Viewpoints
Gale eBooks / Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)(opens in new window)	Opposing Viewpoints (OV)(opens in new window)
Information Type: Encyclopedia Useful for: Background information about many topics. Credibility: Authorship is vetted by encyclopedia publishers. We can assume authors, even if not named, are qualified to write on the topic and the articles has been reviewed before being published. Source cited: Usually not, but the assumption is if the information is published in the reputable encyclopedia, sources have been consulted and the author is knowledgeable. Popular or scholarly? Popular. But - some GVRL articles are so well-researched they straddle the line between popular and scholarly. You can usually trust the contents for college-level work.	Information Type: Pro/con topic overviews Useful for: Background information and pro/con arguments about controversial topics. Credibility: Viewpoint essays are opinion-based, and not always fact-based opinions. Scholarly articles are credible and written by experts. Source cited: It depends. Viewpoint essays are primarily author's opinions; citations and basis in fact many vary. Sources in scholarly articles are cited. Popular or scholarly? Popular. Be wary of viewpoint essays based purely on opinion with no cited sources or facts. Scholarly. OV includes well-researched academic articles written by experts.