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How To Do Research (New Version for IL Restructuring)

Research Topics

Identifying a manageable topic is a crucial step in the research process. You may need to modify the scope, direction, or argument of your topic as you progress through the research process. 

Topic Selection Checklist

  • Manageable: Will you get overwhelmed trying to cover it all?
  • Researchable: Will you find enough credible sources?
  • Interesting: Will your reader want to read it?
  • Complex: Will the research questions offer more than "yes" and "no" answers?
  • Novel: Has your topic been written about extensively, as is the case with abortion and the death penalty? What fresh perspectives or new ideas can you add to the conversation?

Your topic might be too broad if:

broad

  • You get overwhelmed by the number of sources that seem to be relevant for the topic.
  • There are concepts or events that don't fit into your outline.
  • There is too much to write about before you even get to your argument.

How to narrow a topic that is too broad:

  • Identify a specific part of the population that is effected (children, women, the elderly, people in rural states).
  • Examine one specific solution to a problem as a way to present a larger issue.
  • Don't include as much historical background or information leading up to your main issue or argument.

RESEARCH TIP

If you can find entire books about your topic, chances are it's too much to cover in one paper. Look through the table of contents of books on your topic for ideas about breaking it down into smaller categories and subtopics.

narrowYour paper might be too narrow if:

  • It can be discussed in great detail in less than the required size of your assignment.
  • You found only 3 or 4 sources relevant to your topic.

How to broaden a topic that is too narrow:

  • Consider related subjects and see if you can widen your parameters to include more aspects.
  • Expand your topic geographically or demographically. For example, instead of focusing on Vermont, try New England. Instead of girls ages 1-3, try toddlers.
  • Choose less specific terms for your search.
  • Widen your focus to look at a bigger topic. For example, instead of Burnout of male nurses in Chicago aged 30 to 40.  Switch the topic to Burnout of nurses in American hospitals.

tip RESEARCH TIP

A topic that is very current may be difficult to research - you can write about very recent events as a topic as long as you bring in the history of the issue to put recent events in context.

Concept Mapping & Clustering

concept map about gun control Draw a concept map to connect different parts of a topic so you can start to see the big picture. Seeing the big picture will help you pick a smaller part of it to focus on.

RESEARCH TIP

Don't start outlining or writing a draft until you know how much of a topic you can cover in your paper. The questions you have about a topic should be answered before you start writing.

Video: How to Narrow Your Topic
Video: How to Narrow Your Topic

Research Questions

Developing a research question can help narrow a paper topic and build a strong thesis statement. Some elements to consider including in a research question include:

Population

Age, gender, educational level, or other demographic

Example: Internet use by seniors

Discipline

The context in which the topic is studied

Example: Celtic symbolism in contemporary popular culture

Comparison and Counterargument

Opposing influences and potential problems or obstacles

Example: Republican vs. Democrat attitudes towards financial aid for college students

Geography

A region, state, or country

Example: Insect control in Vermont orchards

Causes and Influences

The reason something happens or the impacts and effects

Example: Birth order has an influence on personality traits

Process

The steps needed for change or progress to happen

Example: States should increase taxes to provide better food in schools

Video Thumbnail: Thesis Statements
Video: Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is a summary of the argument you are going to make in your research paper. It should be:

 

Specific and precise

Too vague to be effective: “Education is important for children.”

More effective: "Outdoor, unstructured play in school is important for the social development of children."

Arguable

Too obvious to make a strong argument: “The 9/11 bombings were a crucial event in U.S. history.”

Stronger argument: "The changes to Homeland Security after the 9/11 bombings had a lasting impact on citizen privacy."

Manageable in scope

Too much content to cover in a four-page paper: "The Civil War was a defining event in American history.”

Manageable for a four-page paper: "The role of women in Civil War medical camps had a significant impact on Women's Civil Rights."

Supported by academic sources

Too much opinion or personal reflection: "Disney's Snow White is the best princess film."

Supportable by sources: "The portrayal of female characters in Disney films changed significantly after WWII."

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