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 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?

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

Are you interested in current events, government, politics or the social sciences?
o Try Washington File

Are you interested in health or medicine?

o Look in Healthfinder.gov, Health & Wellness Resource Center or the National
Library of Medicine

Are you interested in the Humanities; art, literature, music?

o Browse links from the National Endowment for the Humanities

For other subject areas try:

o the Scout Report or the New York Times/ College Web site

Write down any key words or concepts that may be of interest to you. Could these terms help
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 suicide 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.
For example, the Encyclopedia Britannica Online (or the printed version of this
encyclopedia, in Thompson Library's Reference Collection on Reference Table 1)
may not have an article on Social and Political Implications of Jackie Robinsons
Breaking of the Color Barrier in Major League Baseball but there will be articles on
baseball history and on Jackie Robinson.
Browse the Encyclopedia Americana for information on your topic ideas. Notice that
both online encyclopedias provide links to magazine articles and Web sites. These are
listed in the left or the right margins.

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 Southwestern United
States

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, if not the table below may provide a
rough guide:

Assigned Length of Research Paper or Project

Suggested guidelines for approximate numbe

1-2 page paper

2-3 magazine articles or Web sites

3-5 page paper

4-8 items, including book, articles (scholarly and/or p

Annotated Bibliography

6-15 items including books, scholarly articles, Web s

Assigned Length of Research Paper or Project

10-15 page research paper

Suggested guidelines for approximate numbe

12-20 items, including books, scholarly articles, web

Step 6: Define Your Topic as a Focused Research Question

You will often begin with a word, develop a more focused interest in an aspect of something
relating to that word, then begin to have questions about the topic.
For example:
Ideas = Frank Lloyd Wright or modern architecture
Research Question = How has Frank Lloyd Wright influenced modern architecture?
Focused Research Question = What design principles used by Frank Lloyd Wright are
common in contemporary homes?

Step 7: Research and Read More About Your Topic

Use the key words you have gathered to research in the catalog, article databases, and
Internet search engines. Find more information to help you answer your research question.
You will need to do some research and reading before you select your final topic. Can you
find enough information to answer your research question? Remember, selecting a topic is an
important and complex part of the research process.

Step 8: Formulate a Thesis Statement

Write your topic as a thesis statement. This may be the answer to your research question
and/or a way to clearly state the purpose of your research. Your thesis statement will usually
be one or two sentences that states precisely what is to be answered, proven, or what you will
inform your audience about your topic.
The development of a thesis assumes there is sufficient evidence to support the thesis
statement.
For example, a thesis statement could be: Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles, including
his use of ornamental detail and his sense of space and texture opened a new era of American
architecture. His work has influenced contemporary residential design.

The title of your paper may not be exactly the same as your research question or your thesis
statement, but the title should clearly convey the focus, purpose and meaning of your
research.
For example, a title could be: Frank Lloyd Wright: Key Principles of Design For the Modern
Home
Remember to follow any specific instructions from your instructor.