23/06/2018
Selecting a Topic
The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An instructor may assign you a specific topic, but most often than none, instructors require you to select your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that you will need to do:
Brainstorm for ideas:
Choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature
Ensure that the topic is manageable and that material is available
Make a list of key words
Be flexible
Define your topic as a focused research question
Research and read more about your topic
Formulate a thesis statement
Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate information. Before selecting your topic, make sure you know what your final project should look like. Each class or instructor will likely require a different format or style of research project.
Use the steps below to guide you through the process of selecting a research topic:
Step 1: Brainstorm for ideas
Choose a topic that interests you. Use the following questions to help generate topic ideas.
Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy
Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or made you angry or anxious?
Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to know more about?
Do you have a research paper due for a class this semester?
Is there an aspect of a class that you are interested in learning more about?
Are you interested in current events, government, politics or the social sciences?
Are you interested in health or medicine?
Are you interested in the Humanities; art, literature, music?
Write down any key words or concepts that may be of interest to you. These terms may be used to form a more focused research topic?
Be aware of overused ideas when deciding a topic. You may wish to avoid topics such as, abortion, gun control, teen pregnancy, or su***de unless you feel you have a unique approach to the topic. Ask the instructor for ideas if you feel you are stuck or need additional guidance.
Step 2: Read General Background Information
Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates to broader, narrower, and related issues. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your later research. If you cant find an article on your topic, try using broader terms and ask for help from a librarian.
Use periodical indexes to scan current magazine, journal or newspaper articles on your topic. Ask a librarian if they can help you to browse articles on your topics of interest.
Use Web search engines. Google and Bing are currently considered to be two of the best search engines to find web sites on the topic.
Step 3: Focus on Your Topic
Keep it manageable
A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit your topic. Some common ways to limit a topic are:
by geographical area
Example: What environmental issues are most important in the Ifite Awka Axis of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka campus
by culture
Example: How does the environment fit into the Navajo world view?
by time frame:
Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the last 10 years?
by discipline
Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices today?
by population group
Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?
Remember that a topic may be too difficult to research if it is too:
Locally confined - Topics: This specific may only be covered in these (local) newspapers, if at all.
Example: What sources of pollution affect the Genesee County water supply?
Recent - If a topic is quite recent, books or journal articles may not be available, but newspaper or magazine articles may. Also, Web sites related to the topic may or may not be available.
broadly interdisciplinary - You could be overwhelmed with superficial information.
Example: How can the environment contribute to the culture, politics and society of the Western states?
Popular - You will only find very popular articles about some topics such as sports figures and high-profile celebrities and musicians.
If you have any difficulties or questions with focusing your topic,discuss the topic with your instructor, or with a librarian
Step 4: Make a List of Useful Keywords
Keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic.
Look for words that best describe your topic
Look for them in when reading encyclopedia articles and background and general information
Find broader and narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts for key words to widen your search capabilities
Make note of these words and use them later when searching databases and catalogs
Step 5: Be Flexible
It is common to modify your topic during the research process. You can never be sure of what you may find. You may find too much and need to narrow your focus, or too little and need to broaden your focus. This is a normal part of the research process. When researching, you may not wish to change your topic, but you may decide that some other aspect of the topic is more interesting or manageable.
Keep in mind the assigned length of the research paper, project, bibliography or other research assignment. Be aware of the depth of coverage needed and the due date. These important factors may help you decide how much and when you will modify your topic. You instructor will probably provide specific requirements:
At Salient Facts Research Institute, we guide you to
