S

tart any research project by working with the broadest out-
lines or topics (and the broadest resources) and slowly narrow
your focus, getting more and more specific in topic and
sources as you go along.

Encyclopedic entries are usually the most comprehensive and con-
cise you will find. They cover so much territory and are so (relatively)
up to date that they are an ideal “big picture” resource.

And don’t forget to seek out a subject-specific encyclopedia. It seems
there is such a tome on anything you can think of, to wit: Encyclopedia
of Christmas, Charlie Chan Film Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia of
Paleontology,Encyclopedia of the Renaissance,Dictionary of Theology,
A History of Women’s Writing in France,Encyclopedia of Deserts,
Encyclopedia of the Solar System,Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition,
Encyclopedia of Smoking and Tobacco,Historical Encyclopedia of
Nursing, and theOxford Companion to Food.

Chapter 6

How to Conduct

Your Research

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