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Westchester Community College Harold L. Drimmer Library

Prof. Casey - Eng. 101; SPRING 2025: Getting Started - Background Information

Why Do Background Research?

​When you do background research you can find:

  • Additional keywords or phrases that are specific to your topic.
  • Information that answers basic information on your topic. 
  • Major ideas related to your topic.
  • People, places, time periods that are relevant to your topic.
  • Additional readings on your topic.

Choose keywords that describe your topic or research question.

Example Topic: "Sports psychology and student athlete mental health."

Search Medicine Collection

"student athletes" AND "mental health"

The third article "Compulsive Exercise" is an excellent starting point. It provides:

  • keywords for compulsive exercise (exercise addiction, exercise abuse, extreme exercise, etc.)
  • age groups of athletes to study (high school? college? professional?)
  • related articles
  • related subjects
  • bibliography with other sources to consult
  • types of athletes who are vulnerable to mental health issues (dancers, runners, gymnasts, figure skaters, wrestling, jockeys)
  • definitions, symptoms, risk factors, causes, treatment

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