Research Guides: Theater &amp; Performing Arts Research Guide: Background Research

Background Research

Background research can help you:

narrow down a broad theme into a smaller topic
learn the basics of your topic
develop a list of keywords to use when searching for more sources
develop a research question and/or thesis statement

Starter Databases

Starter databases:

simple, browseable databases meant to help students with background research
often contain credible reference articles, but can also have viewpoint essays
a good alternative or supplement to Wikipedia

Best starter databases for performing arts: This link opens in a new window

Gale eBooks

A database of encyclopedias, almanacs and specialized reference sources.

Oxford Art Online (Grove)

Contains over 5,000 art images, maps, and line drawings from major collections and also contains links to over 40,000 images at museum websites.

Oxford Music Online

Contains over 50,000 subject articles and biographies written by more than 6000 contributors. Grove Music Online also includes the full text of the The Oxford Companion to Music, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, and The Encyclopedia of Popular Music.

Biography (Gale in Context)

Contains biographies on more than 335,000 people from around the world and throughout history.

Gale eBooks tutorial

Gale eBooks Tutorial

This database has subject-specific encyclopedia articles which provide simple topic overviews.
A perfect way to get to know your topic before diving deeper into scholarly research.
Watch the video below to learn more: