Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge. Here are some tips:
- Choose a topic that you are
interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about
your topic.
- Narrow your topic to something
manageable.
- If your topic is too broad,
you will find too much information and not be able to focus.
- Background reading can help
you choose and limit the scope of your topic.
- Review the guidelines on topic
selection outlined in your assignment. Ask your professor or TA for suggestions.
- Refer to lecture notes and
required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
- Talk about research
ideas with a friend. S/he may be able to help focus your topic
by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.
- Think of the who, what, when,
where and why questions:
- WHY did you choose the topic? What interests
you about it? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?
- WHO are the information providers on this
topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is
affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions
affiliated with the topic?
- WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is
there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and
viewpoints to consider?
- WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national
or international level? Are there specific places affected by the
topic?
- WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a
current event or a historical issue? Do you want to compare your
topic by time periods?
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