Resources that give you a broad overview of a topic, like encyclopedias and almanacs. As you delve into the reference sources, start a short list of keywords that embody your topic(s). Use these words as you begin to search for more complex material.
Filter your search results to focus on articles written by religious scholars. Who are the experts in your topic? How do you know?
Databases are accessible off campus to students and staff. If you are off campus, click on the database links, enter your network username and password, and you will have access to all content for that entire browser session.
Look for websites that are published by credible religious, academic, or cultural institutions, such as theological seminaries, museums, and religious institutions. Some suggestions to get started are below:
What kind of books do I need? Look for works that are written by religious scholars and experts in your topic of interest. Check the INDEX of the book for instances of your keywords (your religious practice, rite of passage, sacred text, etc.)
Tips for keyword searching: start broad, and then narrow your search once you have a better sense of your topic.
Broad Terms are keywords like:
To refine a search use any of the above AND another term like
You may also want to use some of the refining words when searching about a specific religion. For example "Christianity AND Women". Be careful about spelling! There are often many variant spellings for the same term (especially in Asian religions, such as Tao versus Dao). Thus, it can be helpful to try out multiple spellings if you are having trouble finding information. Still feeling stuck? Contact a librarian or use the libchat feature to ask for help.