Social Work Courses & Research

Reference Sources are an excellent place to start seeking information!

1. They serve as a credible introduction to your topic, issue, or concern.
2. They help you to identify critical issues connected with a topic.
3. They clarify unfamiliar dates or terms, pinpoint key themes, and assist in constructing a searchable vocabulary for your topic.
4. Most overview sources (at least those in academic reference collections) are written by experts in the field selected for their topical knowledge. You can often search for additional research by the scholars who author or edit the materials.
5. Most list recommended sources or further readings on the topics discussed.  

Academic libraries buy or subscribe to a LOT of "overview" resources. They are a reputable starting point to launch questions that narrow your focus.