Gathering Background Information

Before you gather background, you will need to identify an organization for your course project. If you are having trouble selecting an organization, use this toolkit to browse for ideas.

Here are some tips to consider before gathering background:

• The goal of gathering background information is to have a working knowledge of your subject. How do you know when you have this working knowledge? When you can talk about your topic for at least 1 solid minute without repeating yourself.*

• If you select a topic that has some personal significance to you, it will provide an opportunity to learn more about your own past or that of your family. Selecting a topic that you have explored in another course may not only save you some research time, it will allow you to explore different facets of the same topic and build a deeper understanding of it.

* from Badke, W. B. Research Strategies: Finding Your Way Through the Information Fog. Available online at URL: http://www.acts.twu.ca/lbr/textbook.htm [cited 2000, Sept. 27]