Selecting the best or most appropriate finding aid for identifying sources depends almost entirely on the context of your research assignment. There is no single database or web search interface that will work for every research context; instead, you'll need to match your specific research needs to a variety of options. 

Library catalog searches (i.e., Primo) can be the better choice when you are seeking in-depth, book-length treatments of a topic.

Multidisciplinary databases (i.e., JSTOR) cover a wide variety of subject areas and may include a mix of popular and scholarly sources. They can be the most appropriate choice when you just want to get a sense of what's available on a topic and when it isn't so important that you pay attention to disciplinary lenses.

Subject databases (i.e., MLA International Bibliography) cover a specific discipline and provide the widest range of access to scholarly sources. They are used for in-depth research. Which subject databases you search will be determined by who may be writing about your topic. Recommended subject databases for each discipline can be found on the "articles" tab in each library subject guide.

Still not sure to where begin? Contact your liaison librarian!

Building context (and recognizing when you need more context) is an important element in the research process. Subject encyclopedias are often the best place to start when you are trying to establish some basic historical, social, or cultural context.

You usually can expect to find the following important information in articles in subject encyclopedias:

• A broad overview of a topic that is more in-depth than in general encyclopedias
• Discussion of how scholars have approached, explored, and debated the topic over time (historiography)
• Words, phrases, names, dates, and events that can be used as keywords when searching a database
• ...and more

Not sure where to look? Each of these online collections will introduce you to a wealth of dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Use the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to locate a basic definition of your term. Questions you might ask yourself include:

• what part of speech is the term?
• when was it first used, and in what context?
• what is its etymology?
• are there any alternative definitions of the word that surprised you?

Write 2-3 sentences defining your term.

Search Tips:

• Start with a general search.
• Use the limit features whenever possible,
• Use quotes for phrases.
  • "modern dance"
• Use AND to find all the words on your topic.
• Use OR to find any of the words on your topic.
  • ex. dance AND (male OR masculinity OR men)
• The symbol * is used as a right hand truncation character in most databases; it will find all forms of a word.
  • Ex. danc* will retrieve dance, dancers, dancing, etc.
• Be flexible in your searching.

For your extended definition, you need to locate two passages where the concept is used in the Undercommons. You can also extend your understanding of the dictionary definition through finding additional background information on your concept. 

Choose one online reference collection (Oxford, SAGE, etc.) and search for your concept. 

Identify a reference entry or article that you would be interested in reading further. Be prepared to share!

Your final definition asks you to translate your concept into an experience. You may want to look for inspiration that is performative, visual, or interactive. 

Spend some time searching Primo, or one of the suggested databases in the list below, to see what catches your eye!