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Getting Started with Research

How to pick a topic

If you're trying to select a topic to write about, be sure the topic you select:

Matches the assignment.

For example, if you're to write a process paper for English composition, be sure your topic is an actual process someone can do.  That's a different type of topic than what you would choose for an informative/expository paper in which you'd explain about something or inform your reader.

Fulfills all required elements of the assignment.

  • Required length
  • Required number and types of sources
  • Specific sections, such as application or evaluation or comparison

Is something you're interested in learning.

It does not need to be a topic on which you're already well informed.  The purpose of college is for you to learn new things, so let your writing assignments help you to do just that!

Is something for which you can find credible sources of information.

  • Your sources should shape and support your theories, arguments, or conclusions.
  • Personal opinions need to be supported with facts and statistics.  Otherwise, you're just an opinionated person rather than a well-informed writer.
  • If your topic is too new or too obscure, you may have difficulty finding enough sources to support your paper.

Where to find topic ideas

Wikipedia

  • Wikipedia shouldn't be used as a scholarly source while writing your paper, but it can be a great place to find a good overview of a topic's basic definitions and help you build a foundation of knowledge.
  • You can also use Wikipedia to find relevant information. The See also section near the end of the article may also have topics relevant to your research, as well as the What links here page, which you can find on the left sidebar. This information can help you broaden or narrow your topic as needed.

Library Databases

How to narrow down a topic

When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions:

  • Who?
  • What?
  • When?
  • Where?
  • Why?

Let's look at an example.

Topic: Crime or criminal activity.

Who: Populations such as... age, gender, race or ethnicity

      New topic idea: Criminal activity in white males

      New topic idea: Criminal activity in older females

What: Types of criminal activity

      New topic idea: Murder tendencies in white males

      New topic idea: Theft tendencies in older females

When: Time frames such as... current or historical, period of life

      New topic idea: Rum runners in the 18th century

      New topic idea: Crimes rates during the COVID pandemic

Where: Places, such as... states, regions, countries

      New topic idea: White collar crimes in New York City

      New topic idea: Pick-pockets at tourist attractions

Why: Evaluate... causes, treatments, outcomes

      New topic idea: Successful methods for preventing home invasion

      New topic idea: Rehabilitation of criminals who have committed murder

Combine any number of elements from these questions until you find an interesting topic to research. For very narrow topics, combine elements from at least three of these questions. If you find your topic becomes too narrow, eliminate an element.