Finding Background Info
You can use the sources below to explore ideas and topics at the beginning of your research process, and you can use them throughout the process to quickly learn about a topic, event, phenomenon, or proper name you encounter during your research process.
Most encyclopedias and dictionaries that provide background information are not scholarly in that they are not long sources and do not contain works cited, but they are more credible than finding information on the internet.
Also, some of the sources below are very specialized to your research projects and field work, so they may present topics and ideas you had not considered, but are important for the rhetoric of your project.
Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center has a great portal on religion that communicates poll results from studies conducted by the Center.
- Pew Research Center: ReligionReports, short reads, transcriptions, features, and fact sheets on many religions practiced in the USA, from the polls and research conducted by the Pew Center.
- Pew Research Center: America's Changing Religious LandscapeA 2015 report written by Pew Center staff that summarizes recent trends in practiced religions in the USA, drawing on data from Pew Center polls and other sources.
Public Religion Research Institution (PRRI)
Encyclopedias
Encyclopedias are a great way to find a topic that interests you by browsing, and they are a great way to brush up on basic details about a topic in a venue other than Wikipedia.
Encyclopedia of Religion in America by Publication Date: 2010
Additional Resources
Religion Matters by Chapter 2: "You Believe What? A Tour of Belief and Ritual Practice," pp. 16-30
- The Pluralism Project (Harvard University)
This website offers brief descriptions and essays on the most recognized global religions. It's a great way to survey the diversity of faith practices. - Bibliography of Books etc. Relevant to Your Class
This bibliography was created by your professor, Jaime Wright.
Keyword combinations
- Library Catalog This link opens in a new window
Try searching for background information as well as browsing these resources. Here are some ideas for keyword search terms you can use in OSCAR or any of the Library's databases.
- (name of religion) and (cultural phenomenon)
- religion and (concept, i.e. family)
- (name of religion) and (specific population, i.e. queers or women)
- (name of religion) and (geographical location, i.e. san jose or california)
- (name of religion) and (united states or america) and (other keyword)