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Research Resources: Background & Current Topics

This guide includes "places to start" for research background information and current topics.

Library Databases

University of Wisconsin-Superior users are able to access a large number of databases via the Jim Dan Hill Library, most of which are only available through subscription access.

  • These databases typically consist of different kinds of collections of materials ranging from historic and primary source materials, to audiovisual materials, to data and statistics, and more.

  • A few selections are highlighted, here, but it is also advisable to consult additional subject guides (such as in your research areas) where appropriate, or to speak with your instructor or a librarian for additional suggestions that will be most suitable to your research needs.

  • You can filter the complete A-Z database list by select subjects (scroll down for linked examples of results), or by "types" (see linked examples in the top bullet in this list)

  • For more help (including instructions on how to use this filtering option), see our page on How to Use a Database 

Terms of Note Include: 

  • database  - a compilation of items that can be searched and retrieved
  • journal - features peer-reviewed scholarly and research articles
  • periodical - a regular ("periodic") publication of articles and other texts; examples include magazines and newspapers
  • conference proceeding - the published record of a conference
  • abstract or summary - the core argument or big idea of an article
  • citation - core details about a publication (e.g. author, title, date) 
  • full-text - the complete text of the article, from beginning to end
  • platform - the hosting site (sometimes a company or "vendor") through which you can access a resource

Adapted from The University of Oxford's Bodleian Libraries. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and More

Dictionaries

Dictionaries supply definitions and histories of words and how they have been used. They also provide examples of different uses (including over spans of time and in different contexts). 

Encyclopedias and Background Information

These resources provide compilations of background information and summaries. They may suggest additional materials to review. 

Articles, Books, Reports, and More

The links below will take you to the database list and will show results filtered by the designated "subject"

Library Database Resources - Publication Information

This database is a resource for finding more information on select publications: 

Page Credits

The University of Oxford's Bodleian Libraries. (Updated July 9 2025). "Definitions." English Language and Literature: Journals [LibGuide] https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/english/journals. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence