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Research Tips

This guide contains information to help you get started on your academic research.

Getting Started

Choose a topic that interests you and holds your attention, this will make the research process more enjoyable! As you consider your topic, make sure you also understand your assignment and its requirements to make sure your chosen topic fits within your given parameters - ask yourself:

  • Have I been assigned a topic or can I pick my own?
  • How many pages/words do I need to write? How long is my presentation?
  • How much time do I have to research my topic and complete my assignment?
  • Do I need to include specific types of sources (e.g. scholarly articles, books, newspapers, etc.)?
Picking Your Topic IS Research!

Exploring Topics

Conducting background research can help you explore and identify a broad research topic. Some useful resources for background information include:

  • Your textbook or course materials
  • Magazines, newspapers, and print/electronic encyclopedias
  • Databases that feature articles on current events/controversial issues such as Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints
  • Discussing potential topics with your instructor, a librarian, or a classmate.

If you are having trouble thinking of a topic to research, ask yourself:

  • Have I seen or read a news story recently that interested me?
  • Is there a personal issue, problem or interest that I would like to know more about?
  • Is there an aspect in my class that I would like to learn more about?

Once you have gathered enough information and chosen a broad topic, move on to the Refining Your Topic tab.

Resources: Choosing a Topic

After conducting background research and selecting a broad topic, it's time to narrow down your topic. Refining your topic in this manner will make your research more manageable, but avoid making it too specific as it could limit the scope of available information. It's normal to adjust your topic during this process if you find too much or too little information.

Consider the 5 Ws to help you narrow and refine your topic:

Who? Is there a specific group of people (age, sex, race, occupation, socioeconomic status, etc.) you can focus on?
What? Is there a current issue surrounding your topic you can explore? Is there a specific subset of the topic you can focus on?
When? Is your topic current or historical? Is there a specific time period or important event surrounding your topic?
Where? Is there a specific location you can focus on? Where, geographically, might this topic be important?
Why? Why is this topic important? Why should others be interested?

Refining your topic into a research question helps to further focus your work. Visit the Developing a Research Question tab to learn more.

Four Steps to Narrow Your Research Topic

Now that you have refined your topic, you will want to format it into a research question (RQ). A RQ is a clear, short, open-ended question that you will attempt to answer using source material - it helps guide your research by outlining a clear task that you need to complete.

An effective RQ is:

  • Complex: it requires explanation and analysis; it can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"
  • Feasible: it can be researched within the timeframe of the assignment and the resources available to you
  • Focused and Specific: it is detailed with an appropriate scope (not too broad, not too narrow)
  • Researchable: it can be answered with a suitable amount of reliable and credible research materials

Keep in mind that your RQ may change as you engage in the research, this is a normal part of the research process

How to Develop a STRONG Research Question

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Bridgette Flamenco