In identifying your topic, it may also be helpful to review the three major categories of knowledge:

SCIENCES

SOCIAL SCIENCES

HUMANITIES

Subjects within these disciplines will present different types of information, different uses of information, and may influence the way you access information. Depending on your topic, you will use different databases and search tools to identify sources. You will also use different terminology.

A subject breakdown from the Web of Science database, includes some of the subjects covered:

Sciences - includes:	Social Sciences - includes:	Arts & Humanities - includes:
Agriculture Astronomy Biochemistry Biology Biotechnology Chemistry Computer Science Materials Science Mathematics Medicine Neuroscience Oncology Pediatrics Pharmacology Physics Plant Sciences Psychiatry Surgery Veterinary Science Zoology	Anthropology History Industrial Relations Information Science & Library Science Law Linguistics Philosophy Political Science Psychiatry Psychology Public Health Social Issues Social Work Sociology Substance Abuse Urban Studies Women's Studies	Archaeology Architecture Art Asian Studies Classics Dance Folklore History Language Linguistics Literary Reviews Literature Music Philosophy Poetry Radio, Television, & Film Religion Theater

Notice that some of these subjects fall under more than one category. Certain subjects are interdisciplinary. Psychology can be considered a social science and a science (in fact, at ODU, Psychology is considered a Science). History is considered a social science and a humanities subject. Linguistics can really be seen as humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

Many major subjects are not even listed here.