Use this chart to identify what type of information you need, and what type of resource is most likely to provide this information, and suit your style of learning.
Starter Questions for Background Information
Information Needed:
- General Overview
- Quick Facts
- Background Information
- Terms and Definitions
- Historical Perspective
- Statistics
- Maps
Most Appropriate Resources:
- Dictionaries, Atlases (print or online)
- General Reference (print or online)
- Britannica Encyclopedia (Virtual Library)
- School library print encyclopedias
- Specialized Reference
- Subject-specific reference texts
- Newspaper Articles (Virtual Library)
- Academic OneFile (with publication format selected)
- CPI.Q
- Canadian Points of View
- Canadian Student Research Center
- Gale Onefile News
- General Reference Center Gold
- Global Issues in Context
- Audio / Video
- Britannica Encyclopedia (Virtual Library)
- Global Issues in Context
- Quality Website (e.g., CBC Archives)
Deeper Questions
Information Needed:
- Primary Sources
- In-Depth Coverage
- Expert Information
- Expert Opinion
- Current Information
- Current Expert Research
- Differing Perspectives
Most Appropriate Resources:
- Magazine Articles (Virtual Library)
- CPI.Q
- Canadian Student Research Center
- General Reference Center Gold
- Gale Academic OneFile
- Canadian Points of View
- Global Issues in Context
- Quality Websites: Use links from:
- Britannica Encyclopedia
- Global Issues in Context
- School Library Websites
- Community Resources
- Non-Fiction Books
- Scholarly Journal Articles (Virtual Library)
- CPI.Q
- Canadian Student Research Center
- Academic One-File
- Canadian Points of View
- Global Issues in Context
Research KNR Chart
- What do I Know about the topic?
- What do I Need to know about the topic?
- What Resources should I use to get the information that I need?
This chart helps you to match your research needs with the types of resources that will help you the best.
