What's a source that often provides good general information on a topic to guide you in forming a research question?

• A. Academic journal article
• B. Biography
• C. Encyclopedia
• D. Primary source account

Answer: (C)

Getting a broad, organized overview of a topic helps you see how ideas fit together, what key terms mean, and where the major subtopics and debates sit. An encyclopedia does this well by providing concise, general summaries of a topic, clear definitions, and an outline of related subtopics. This makes it easier to form a research question because you can spot the scope of the topic, identify important concepts to define, and notice gaps or questions scholars recognize. Encyclopedias also typically point you to further readings, giving you solid entry points for deeper exploration.

In contrast, an academic journal article tends to focus on a narrow question or specific study and assumes background knowledge. A biography centers on an individual’s life and isn’t representative of a field. A primary source account presents original material from a single perspective and isn’t a general guide to a topic.