The Research Process

Finding a research topic

So how do you find a research topic? Unfortunately there’s no directory of topics that you pick from (unless your instructor has provided a list for you!)  There are, however, a few easy techniques that you can use to find a relevant and manageable topic.

  1. Brainstorming
    Begin thinking about the type of research you would like to do. Use listing, concept maps, freewriting, or journalists' questions to help you discover what topics you'd be interested in writing about. Remember, even seemingly silly ideas can lead you to relevant new topic areas and research questions.
     
  2. Exploring the Internet
    Start with one of your broad topic ideas and conduct a search in Google or another search engine to see if there is recent information on that topic. Use keywords such as: trending news or trending topics, recent research, controversial issues, policy debates, and other relevant terms to locate recent news.
     
  3. Exploring background information
    Reference eBooks and articles often give that broad subject overview and mention specific theories, researchers, or topic areas that you may want to pursue further. When you discover articles in your topic area, skim through the full-text for their Discussion, Conclusion or Future Research sections. These sections will highlight new research questions that the study raised, tangential research questions, or questions that have been around for a long time but have not yet been answered.
     
  4. Narrowing/broadening your topic
    If your research is coming back with thousands of results but do not seem to be connected beyond one keyword you may have a topic that is too broad in scope.  Consider limiting your research to one aspect of a topic. If your research is getting you too few results you may have to rethink your topic into broader terms. 

Other tips

Focus on your Criteria

Once you have your list of potential topics, it is time to hone in on which you will use for your paper.  Consider items interesting and relevant to the subject matter.  Ask yourself:

  • Is this relevant to your assignment?
  • Is this relevant to the course?
  • Is it interesting?
  • Are the similarities and/or differences important enough to write about?

Relevancy and interest are key aspects of any paper.  If you are writing about the book The Hobbit for your English class, a paper that discusses the topography of the Shire may not be appropriate.  Similarly, if writing a paper on the ethics of modern day immigration control then researching the history of Ellis Island may be inappropriate.  Remember, the paper you are writing should be one that wouldn’t bore you to read.  

 

Finding Keywords

Pull Keywords directly from your research topic!  You can find the words that are most important to your research by choosing words from within your research topic.  

Sample Topic: Why is there unsafe levels of lead being found in drinking water distribution systems in the United States?
Sample Keywords: Water distribution systems, United States, lead content in water

Sample Topic: What causes United States high school students to graduate without basic money management skills?
Sample Keywords: money management, United States education, high school graduates

Don't forget!!  You can always use subject terms and keywords found in any database articles.

 

Keep it Interesting

It is important to choose a topic that will be interesting to you.  You will be spending many weeks researching this topic so it has to be something that drives you to find answers and continue writing. Remember, if you are bored writing your paper, your reader will be bored reading it.

 

Know Your Limits

Always make sure to check your assignment page for suitable topics.  If your instructor has given you a list to choose from, do not stray from those topics unless you've received prior permission. 

If your instructor has given you a broad range (e.g. "Write a paper on any major historic event in the past 100 years.") take the time to browse the library's available resources to help narrow your topic.  While an obscure or popular topic may be fun to write about, if the resources are not available when you need them, your paper will not have the sources you need.

Prewriting strategies

Listing is particularly useful if your starting topic is very broad, and you need to narrow it down. Making a list can help you develop ideas for writing once you have a particular focus. If you want to take a stand on a subject, you might list the top ten reasons why you’re taking that particular stand. Or, once you have a focused topic, you might list the different aspects of that topic.

  • Jot down all the possible terms that emerge from the general topic you are working on. Do not worry about editing or throwing out what might not be a good idea. Simply write down as many possibilities as you can.
  • Group the items that you have listed according to arrangements that make sense to you. 
  • Give each group a label. Now you have a narrower topic with possible points of development.
  • Write a sentence about the label you have given the group of ideas. Now you have a topic sentence or possibly a thesis statement.

Concept maps are a visual and verbal way to link together thoughts and ideas. It can be a good way to get started by getting thoughts on paper quickly. These ideas can be used as keywords during the research process.

Freewriting is just what it says—writing freely.  It’s a way to free up your thoughts, help you know where your interests lie, and get your fingers moving on the keyboard (and this physical act can be a way to get your thoughts flowing).

Set a timer for five minutes. The object is to keep your fingers moving constantly and write down whatever thoughts come to mind, without caring about spelling, punctuation, etc. If you can’t think of anything to say, keep writing "I don’t know" or "this is silly" until your thoughts move on. If the first freewriting doesn't produce anything of value, that's alright!  Take a break and then do another session.  You can review all of your writings at the end and see if there is a common thread of interest.

Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and How?  Better known as the five W's and an H, these questions can help you explore the topic you are writing about for an assignment. A key to using the journalists' questions is to make them flexible enough to account for the specific details of your topic.  Not every topic will have a who or a where.  Focus on the questions that matter most to your topic.

Possible generic questions you can ask using the six journalists' questions follow:

  • Who? 
    • Who are the participants?
    • Who is affected?
    • Who are the primary actors?
    • Who are the secondary actors?
  • What? 
    • What is the topic?
    • What is the significance of the topic?
    • What is the basic problem?
    • What are the issues related to that problem?
  • Where? 
    • Where does the activity take place?
    • Where does the problem or issue have its source?
    • At what place is the cause or effect of the problem most visible?
  • When? 
    • When is the issue most apparent? (in the past? present? future?)
    • When did the issue or problem develop?
    • What historical forces helped shape the problem or issue and at what point in time will the problem or issue culminate in a crisis?
    • When is action needed to address the issue or problem?
  • Why? 
    • Why did the issue or problem arise?
    • Why is it (your topic) an issue or problem at all?
    • Why did the issue or problem develop in the way that it did?
  • How? 
    • How is the issue or problem significant?
    • How can it be addressed?
    • How does it affect the participants?
    • How can the issue or problem be resolved?

How to make concept maps

1. Plan your chart

Drawing your map on paper before using Word may decrease your work time by creating a simple planning guide. This design should include all sections and connecting elements planned for your chart. Making appropriate adjustments now, including changing segment positioning, may minimize error correction later when using Word.

2. Open Word and create a page

Open your copy of Microsoft Word and click on "Create New Page." Use the "Layout" tab to adjust margin, header or text settings before creating the concept map. This may minimize more complex adjustments later. Choose an easy-to-read text font, like Times New Roman or Courier, for the labels on the chart.

3. Open the Illustrations section

Click on the "Insert" tab on your new page's top menu. Select "Illustrations" from the new drop-down menu and "Shapes" from the next sub-menu. When you open this section, the circles, rectangles, arrows and lines you may need for your chart appear.

4. Create map shapes

Click on the shapes you want to create from this drop-down menu and draw each on your Word page with the mouse. The program should automatically maintain your desired shape as you change its size and positioning on the page. Draw your map's segments in this way, following your drawn chart's design.

5. Label each section

Position your text bar within the main point on your map. Type its labeling text here, centering it in the box to minimize reading problems. Repeat this process with each segment, double-checking all text for typos and errors.

6. Add connecting lines

Draw lines between each connected chart segment to illustrate their interconnected nature. Adding arrowheads to a line end may show the relationships between each chart item. For example, a line pointing from one subsection to another shows that the first segment influences the second. These relationships may include variations on the primary point or evidence supporting it.

7. Save, print or share the file

When finished, click on "Save File As" and type a name for your file. You can now select "Print," select a printer and create a physical copy. You may also share your file by attaching and sending it via email or uploading it to shared cloud folders and sending the share link to others.

1. Plan your chart

Drawing your map on paper before using Google Slides may decrease your work time by creating a simple planning guide. This design should include all sections and connecting elements planned for your chart. Making appropriate adjustments now, including changing segment positioning, may minimize error correction later when using Google Slides.

2. Open Google Drive and create a Presentation

Visit Google Drive and click New Google Slides.  You can remove all text on the slide by going to Slide Apply Layout > Blank

3. Insert a Diagram

Click Insert > Diagram > RelationshipChoose whichever option suits your needs.  You can change the number of "layers" with the dropdown menu at the top.

4. Label each section

Type each sections labeling text, centering it in the shape to minimize reading problems. Repeat this process with each segment, double-checking all text for typos and errors.

5. Save, print or share the file

When finished, click on "Save File As" and type a name for your file. You can now select "Print," select a printer and create a physical copy. You may also share your file by attaching and sending it via email or uploading it to shared cloud folders and sending the share link to others.