"SATBs"

• What is the scope of the source? What is covered? What is omitted?
• Who is the author or editorial board? Are they knowledgeable in
• the field?
• Timeliness: when was the resource written? Is it up-to-date? Does it include new scholarship?
•  What is their bias?
• Is the source for a scholarly or popular audience?

• Start with an article in a scholarly encyclopedia for the field
  and read about your topic.
• As you read decide how you want to focus your research
• Write down any key words, composers, events, terms--they'll be useful later
  
• From that encyclopedia’s bibliography collect relevant articles, books and other resources
  
• Consult other appropriate topical reference sources
• Consult indexes for articles and chapters of books
• Consult your library’s catalogs for books and other materials.