Why Read Background Information?
Use the catalog to try the search examples and find book titles.
Reading background information helps fill in knowledge gaps. Virtually everyone, even experts, can benefit from reading authoritative summaries of the historic background, current developments, major players, and primary issues of a chosen topic. These summaries often include basic bibliographies that help to jump start research projects.
Major sources of authoritative summaries are subject dictionaries and encyclopedias. Other background information may be obtained from biographical and statistical sources and other reference works such as handbooks and directories.
Search the library catalog for biographies. Try searching by:
- Personal names as subjects or keywords
	- Lewis, C. S.
- Kuhlman, Kathryn
 
- Classes of people as subjects or keywords
	- Bible scholars -- Biography
- Clergy -- Biography
- Evangelists -- Biography
- Missionaries-- Biography
- Theologians -- Biography
 
- Other keyword searches
	- Religio* biography
- Spiritual biography
- Christian* biography
- Evangelical* biography
- Pentecostal* biography
 
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Brill's Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9789004297449Publication Date: 2021
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Multicultural Ministry Handbook by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780830838448Publication Date: 2010
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Models and Methods for Youth and Young Adult Ministry by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9781532630217Publication Date: 2018
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The Oxford Handbook of Ecclesiology by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780199645831Publication Date: 2018
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Fieldwork in Theology by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780801049309Publication Date: 2015
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Practical Theology and Qualitative Research by Call Number: BV3 .S82 2011ISBN: 9780334029809Publication Date: 2006
Statistics & Demographics
Statistics related to religion:
Other sources of statistical information:
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US Census Bureau: International Programs(U.S. Census Bureau) - Provides estimates and projections for 228 countries and areas which have populations of 5,000 or more and as recognized by the U.S. Department of State.
Global Statistics
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World Christian Encyclopedia (ONLINE) by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9781474403238Publication Date: 2019
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World Christian Encyclopedia by Call Number: BR95 .W67 2020 ReferenceISBN: 9781474403238Publication Date: 2019
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The Pentecostal World by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780367621803Publication Date: 2023

