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This page is designed to give you some hints as you go about deciding on a research topic. Print it out and use it as a worksheet to help you define and narrow your topic.

I. Choose a Topic That Interests You

In choosing a research topic, the first and most obvious guideline is to choose a topic that is of interest to you. If you enjoy investigating your topic, it is more likely to be reflected in a better grade and you'll have a better time writing your paper.

What is your topic?

II. Pick a focus for your topic

Most instructors won't want you to write on a broad topic like "abortion" or "gun control" or "cancer." There is simply too much information out there on these broad topics to do a good job. Instead, you may have to choose a more narrow aspect of a topic to explore or present arguments for or against. For example, instead of doing the topic of "gun control" you might want to look at whether or not gun control will really reduce crime or if child safety locks really violate the 2nd Amendment. Once you have decided on a topic within the range of your assignment, ask:

"What do I want to know about this topic?" Your answer should help you narrow your focus.
Next, most topics can be broken down into the following subdivisions. Use these to help you figure out where to go for information and how to search.
- Persons - Who is involved with my topic?
- Geographic Locations - Where in the world do I want to focus my topic?
- Time - What time frame is important in researching my topic? Do I need historical material or do I need the most current material?
What terms best help me describe my topic?
Using your answers from the above questions and anything else you can think of, brainstorm a list of terms that you can use to describe your topic. Use these terms when you search in the Online Catalog for books and in the Online Periodicals Indexes.

III. Use Library Resources to Help Choose and Narrow Topics

Searching in online and paper indexes can help you decide on a topic by showing you what information is available. If nothing has been written on your topic, you may want to reconsider it. If a lot has been written about your topic, searching through indexes like The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature may help you decide which facets of your topic to focus on.

Reference Books such as encyclopedias can also help you get general background on a topic and help you focus it. Use the Online Catalog to find Reference Books in our library.

Questions?

If you have questions you may contact a librarian. Someone will respond within 48 hours.

Next stop, Finding Books.

Site content copyright 2008, Shoreline Community College.
This page last updated on 2/6/2007.
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