Selecting a Selecting a Research Research

TopicTopic

The ability to develop a good research The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. topic is an important skill.

Sometimes instructors will assign a Sometimes instructors will assign a specific topic, usually they will ask specific topic, usually they will ask you to select a topic that interests you to select a topic that interests you. you.

When you choose your own topic, you When you choose your own topic, you will need to: will need to:

1.1. brainstorm for ideas brainstorm for ideas

2.2. read general background read general background information information

3.3. focus in on a manageable topic  focus in on a manageable topic 

4.4. make a list of useful keywords  make a list of useful keywords 

5.5. be flexible  be flexible 

6.6. define your topic as a focused define your topic as a focused research question research question

7.7. research and read more about your research and read more about your topic topic

8.8. formulate a thesis statement formulate a thesis statement

Step 1: Brainstorm to get research topic ideasStep 1: Brainstorm to get research topic ideas 1.1. Choose a topic that interests you. Even if a topic has Choose a topic that interests you. Even if a topic has

been assigned, you may be able to choose a been assigned, you may be able to choose a particular aspect of the topic that interests you particular aspect of the topic that interests you personally. Use the following questions to help you personally. Use the following questions to help you generate topic ideas. generate topic ideas.

• Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy? controversy?

• Did you read a newspaper article, or see a TV broadcast Did you read a newspaper article, or see a TV broadcast recently that piqued your curiosity or made you angry or recently that piqued your curiosity or made you angry or anxious? anxious?

• Do you have a personal issue, problem, or interest you'd Do you have a personal issue, problem, or interest you'd like to know more about? like to know more about?

• Do you have a research paper due in a class this Do you have a research paper due in a class this semester?  semester? 

• Is there an aspect of one of your courses you are interested Is there an aspect of one of your courses you are interested in learning more about? in learning more about?

• Look at some of the following topically oriented Web sites Look at some of the following topically oriented Web sites and research sites for ideas and research sites for ideas

Step 2: Read general background informationStep 2: Read general background information  

1.1. Read a general encyclopedia Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three article on the top two or three topics you are consideringtopics you are considering.   .  

2.2. Use Use article databasesarticle databases to scan to scan current magazine, journal or current magazine, journal or newspaper articles on the topic.newspaper articles on the topic.     

3.3. Use WebUse Web search engines search engines to find to find Web sites on the topic.Web sites on the topic.

Step 3: Focus in on your topicStep 3: Focus in on your topic

Keep it manageable.Keep it manageable. A topic will be very A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad, or too difficult to research if it is too broad, or too narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit  your such as "the environment" is to limit  your topic. Common ways to limit a topic are:  topic. Common ways to limit a topic are: 

by geographic region by geographic region by culture by culture by time frame  by time frame   by discipline   by discipline   by population group  by population group  

Remember that a topic will be Remember that a topic will be more difficult to research if it is more difficult to research if it is too: too:

1.1. locally confinedlocally confined

2.2. recentrecent   

3.3. broadly interdisciplinary broadly interdisciplinary

4.4. popularpopular

If you have any uncertainties about the focus If you have any uncertainties about the focus of your topic: of your topic:

discuss your topic with your instructor discuss your topic with your instructor discuss your topic with a librarian discuss your topic with a librarian

Step 4: Make a list of useful keywords Step 4: Make a list of useful keywords 

Keep track of the words that are used to Keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic.  describe your topic.  Look for words that best describe your topic. Look for words that best describe your topic. These words will be found in the encyclopedia These words will be found in the encyclopedia

articles and other reading you do while selecting articles and other reading you do while selecting your topic. your topic.

Find synonyms, broader  and narrower terms for Find synonyms, broader  and narrower terms for each keyword you find in order to expand your each keyword you find in order to expand your search capabilities search capabilities

Keep a list of these words to use as keywords Keep a list of these words to use as keywords later as you search in catalogs and other online later as you search in catalogs and other online databases databases

Step 5: Be flexibleStep 5: Be flexible

It is common to modify your topic It is common to modify your topic during the research process.during the research process.

Keep in mind the assigned length Keep in mind the assigned length of the research paper, project, of the research paper, project, bibliography or other research bibliography or other research assignment.assignment.

Step 6: Define your topic as a focused Step 6: Define your topic as a focused

research questionresearch question

You will often begin with a word, You will often begin with a word, develop a more focused interest in an develop a more focused interest in an aspect of something relating to that aspect of something relating to that word, then begin to have questions word, then begin to have questions about the topic.  For example:  about the topic.  For example: 

IdeasIdeas = Frank Lloyd Wright or modern = Frank Lloyd Wright or modern architecture architecture

Research QuestionResearch Question = How has Frank Lloyd = How has Frank Lloyd Wright influenced modern architecture? Wright influenced modern architecture?

Focused Research QuestionFocused Research Question = What design = What design principles used by Frank Lloyd Wright are principles used by Frank Lloyd Wright are common in contemporary homes? common in contemporary homes?

Step 7: Research and read more Step 7: Research and read more about your topicabout your topic

Write your topic as a thesis Write your topic as a thesis statement. statement.

This may be the answer to your This may be the answer to your research question and/or a way to research question and/or a way to clearly state the purpose of your clearly state the purpose of your research. Your thesis statement will research. Your thesis statement will usually be one or two sentences that usually be one or two sentences that states precisely what is to be states precisely what is to be answered, proven, or what you will answered, proven, or what you will inform your audience about your topic. inform your audience about your topic.

The development of a thesis The development of a thesis assumes there is sufficient evidence assumes there is sufficient evidence to support the thesis statement. to support the thesis statement.

For example, a thesis statement For example, a thesis statement could be:could be: Frank Lloyd Wright's design Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles, including his use of principles, including his use of ornamental detail and his sense of ornamental detail and his sense of space and texture opened a new era of space and texture opened a new era of American architecture. His work has American architecture. His work has influenced contemporary residential influenced contemporary residential design.  design. 

The title of your paper may not The title of your paper may not be exactly the same as your be exactly the same as your research question or your thesis research question or your thesis statementstatement, but the title should , but the title should clearly convey the focus, purpose clearly convey the focus, purpose and meaning of your research. and meaning of your research. For example, a title could be:For example, a title could be: Frank Frank

Lloyd Wright: Key Principles of Design Lloyd Wright: Key Principles of Design For the Modern Home.For the Modern Home.

Remember to follow any specific Remember to follow any specific

instructions from your instructor. instructions from your instructor.

Think of the who, what, when, Think of the who, what, when, where and why questions:where and why questions:

WHYWHY did you choose the topic? What interests you did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? about it?

WHOWHO are the information providers on this topic? are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic? or institutions affiliated with the topic?

WHATWHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider? issues and viewpoints to consider?

WHEREWHERE is your topic important: at the local, national is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic? affected by the topic?

WHENWHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current is/was your topic important? Is it a current event? Do you want to compare your topic by time event? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods? periods?

After all said and…After all said and… *Find a study that has already been done and *Find a study that has already been done and

duplicate that study. duplicate that study. Replication is an important part of the research Replication is an important part of the research

process. process. -or- -or- *Find a study that has already been done and *Find a study that has already been done and

replicate it using new definitions of some of replicate it using new definitions of some of the variables in the study. the variables in the study.

-or- -or- *Find a study that has already been done and *Find a study that has already been done and

replicate it using additional moderator or replicate it using additional moderator or control variables control variables

-or- -or-

After all said and…After all said and… *Find an existing study and develop a different *Find an existing study and develop a different

way to test the hypothesis way to test the hypothesis -or- -or- *Follow an author’s suggestions for further *Follow an author’s suggestions for further

research needed – research needed – usually found at the end of an usually found at the end of an article article

-or- -or- *Contact the author of an interesting study *Contact the author of an interesting study

using the internet for ideas for further study using the internet for ideas for further study -or- -or- *Choose a problem, analyze it, and invent a *Choose a problem, analyze it, and invent a

completely new study completely new study -or- -or- *Use a combination of the above techniques*Use a combination of the above techniques

Example 1Example 1

If you started to brainstorm with this If you started to brainstorm with this idea...idea... sports and violence sports and violence

Your focused research question might Your focused research question might be ...be ... Are professional athletes more Are professional athletes more violent than violent than the average male? the average male?

Your thesis statement may be ...Your thesis statement may be ... Many factors contribute to a higher than Many factors contribute to a higher than average rate of violence among average rate of violence among

professional athletes. professional athletes. Your keywords may be ...Your keywords may be ...

professional athletes, sports, violence, professional athletes, sports, violence, abuse abuse

Example 2Example 2 If you started to brainstorm with this If you started to brainstorm with this

idea...idea... DegasDegas Your focused research question might Your focused research question might

be ...be ...What was the the impact of New What was the the impact of New

Orleans on Orleans on the painting of Edgar Degas?the painting of Edgar Degas? Your thesis statement may be ...Your thesis statement may be ...

Edgar Degas visits to his uncle's Edgar Degas visits to his uncle's plantation plantation in Louisiana influenced his in Louisiana influenced his later painting.later painting.

Your keywords may be ...Your keywords may be ... Edgar Degas, Louisiana, New Orleans, Edgar Degas, Louisiana, New Orleans, impressionist paintingimpressionist painting

Example 3Example 3 If you started to brainstorm with this idea...If you started to brainstorm with this idea...

Parental involvement in schools Parental involvement in schools Your focused research question might be ...Your focused research question might be ...

How can parental involvement improve a How can parental involvement improve a child's learning? child's learning?

Your thesis statement may be ...Your thesis statement may be ... Parental involvement in elementary school Parental involvement in elementary school can help students reach academic success can help students reach academic success

Your keywords may be ...Your keywords may be ... parents, students, parental involvement, parents, students, parental involvement,

elementary schools, achievement elementary schools, achievement 

Source 1Source 1

Weber State University, Stewart Library. Weber State University, Stewart Library. Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved.Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved.

Stewart Library - Weber State University Stewart Library - Weber State University - Ogden, Utah 84408. (801) 626-6403 - - Ogden, Utah 84408. (801) 626-6403 - Copyright © 2008 ALL Rights ReservedCopyright © 2008 ALL Rights Reserved

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Source 2Source 2

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