One good first step in research is to gather background information on your topic. Or, perhaps you have a few topics in mind and want to read a little bit about each one before making a choice. Reference sources, particularly the subject encyclopedias, are a good place to begin. They're terrific at laying out basic information about a topic: a chronicle of its history; current status; theory or philosophy; key people; and most importantly, a bibliography of additional sources.
Reference sources will vary depending on your specific topic. A selection is listed here.
(See also pages for Japan, India, and China)
Encyclopedia of Asian History
Main Ref DS31 E53 1988 4 vols.
Encyclopedia of Modern Asia
Main Ref DS4 .L48 2002 6 vols.
The Far East and Australasia
Main Ref DS1 F3
1969-present
Older editions in Main Libr.
Historical dictionaries of individual countries
Main Ref DT352.8 to DT2434
Dictionary of the Modern Politics of South-East Asia
Main Ref DS525.7 L45 1996
Main Libr DS525.7 .L45 1995
Southeast Asia: a Historical Encyclopedia from Angkor Wat to East Timor
Main Ref DS524 S68 2004 3 vols.
