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Research Guide to Sports

Search for background info

If you're new to a topic, take some time to browse introductory sources to help you understand the basic elements and viewpoints.

Search tips

Conduct a keyword or subject search for one concept. Try using OR to find closely related terms and synonyms:

  • olympics
  • fitness OR exercise
  • "national football league" OR nfl

More reference databases

Like Credo, these library databases contain general and subject-specific reference materials, like encyclopedias and dictionaries.

Develop questions of fact

Next you'll want to develop several Questions of Fact. Answers to these questions have the potential to influence what you think about the topic, so avoid questions that will lead only to information that supports your current thinking.

Example topic:

compensation for college athletes

Example Questions of Fact:

  • What forms of compensation do college athletes currently receive?
  • What arguments have been made in favor of paying student athletes?
  • In what ways do the NCAA's name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies address athletes' concerns?

Your turn

Thinking about your own topic, identify at least one Question of Fact to research.

Scholarly articles & more materials

Ready to move on? See Digging Deeper when it's time to find scholarly articles, answers to specific research questions, and more.

Library photo courtesy of Barry Halkin Photography