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Picking Your Topic IS part of the Research Process: No Topic Yet

Picking Your Topic IS part of the Research Process

Trouble Picking a Topic

You have a research paper on a topic of your interest. Your professor has strict parameters for the structure of the paper as well as the type of research you can use (peer-review journals, newspaper articles, etc.) You haven’t quite decided what you want to do your paper on. Let’s examine ways you can explore and pick a topic or determine a research question to answer in your paper.

Selecting A Topic

Selecting a topic

Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge. Here are some tips:

  • Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment.  Ask your professor for suggestions.
  • Refer to lecture notes and required texts to explore topics of interest.
  • Background reading can help you choose a topic of interest.
  • Choose a topic that you are interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.
  • 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 are you choosing this 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 an historical issue?  Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

Databases to Use for Exploring Topics

Explore some hot topics in some of these suggested Databases:

  • ​For Hot or Current Topics

  • ​For Specific Groups, Biographies or People