Background Information
When conducting research, it is helpful to know the history and background of topics and themes. For example, understanding the historical background of racism in politics, education, health care, etc., is necessary to understand where America is today. Subject encyclopedias are excellent sources that provide the historical roots of a problem and identify people, organizations, an efforts that are involved in resolving the conflicts and controversies. Reference sources can also help you narrow your topic and discover keywords for further searching.
Below are library reference sources that will provide you with background information on all of the possible topics. Each encyclopedia offers entries on multiple aspects of racism.
Possible Topics
Mountaineering
Mt. Everest
Sherpas
Climate change
Conservation
Equipment
Search and rescue operations
Political aspects
Religious aspects
People with disabilities
Environmental aspects
Tourism / Ecotourism
National Parks
The Gale Encyclopedia of Science by Covers all major umbrellas of science, engineering, technology, mathematics and the medical and health sciences, while providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology
International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2nd ed. by See national parks, climate change, ecotourism, heritage and culture, conservation
The Encyclopedia of Sports and Recreation for People with Visual Impairments by Not long ago, most blind and visually impaired people grew up without ever playing sports; they sat on the sidelines, and kept score during gym-protected rather than included. In the 1980s, few people had ever heard of the Paralympic Games or accessible recreation. Today, promising blind athletes can receive residency at the US Olympic Training Center; runners compete for prize money and national championships, and most ski resorts offer adaptive programs throughout the year where blind people can ski, cycle, and kayak-often for free.
Climate Change: An Encyclopedia of Science, Society, and Solutions. by This three-volume set presents entries and primary sources that will impress on readers that what we do--or don't do--today regarding climate change will dramatically influence what life on this planet will be like for untold numbers of generations.
The Britannica Guide to India: A Comprehensive Introduction to the World's Fastest Growing Country by An ancient culture and a new economic power in the world India in the twenty-first century stands on the verge of being one of the world's newest superpowers with a population of 1.1 billion. In the sixty years since its independence, it has transformed into a modern nation with limitless resources-yet it is also a nation of extremes. It is a people with 15 official languages, over 166 million mobile phone users, and an economy that spans from traditional village farming to the cutting edge of new technology
