Developing a Research Question
When you focus on a research topic from a broad subject area it is important to:
1. select a topic that is interesting to you
2. explore and gather background information on the subject area, and
3. focus on a specific topic that is not too broad or too specific.
If you choose a topic that is too general, you will be overwhelmed by too much information, and it will be difficult to focus your search.
If you choose a topic that is too specific, it will be difficult to find enough information to support your ideas, and there may not be enough sources to allow you to develop a balanced perspective on a topic.
Research topics that have no specific answers usually lead to more productive research papers. Topics which are controversial and for which there are various points of view provide you with more possibilities for developing your own ideas and analysis.
Analyzing your Topic
In many instances, students beginning a research project decide to look at only one source of information, such as books. They usually do not analyze their topics according to the questions below:
- Do I need current information for my research? If so, should I consider using journal or newspaper articles. (See Chapters 3 and 4.)
- Are books a more suitable source of information? Do I need books which have up-to-date statistics or which include new technologies?
- Which sources will give me an overview? Which will give me concise information? (See Chapter 6)
- Are there other resources which may help me in my research? (See Chapter 4.)
Search Strategy
Dividing a Research Topic into Concepts
A typical research question should be able to be divided into two or three concepts. (The morality of euthanasia for terminally ill persons).
Finding Synonymous or Related Terms for Each Concept
Once you break the topic into basic concepts, as many search terms as possible should be listed for each concept. (euthanasia/right to die/mercy killing) and (ethics/morality).
Practice Exercise
Your instructor assigns a research paper on euthanasia.
euthanasia
euthanasia not kevorkian
euthanasia or right to die
euthanasia and ethics
As you can see the connectors AND OR and NOT can be used to narrow or broaden your search.
Get into the habit of of completing a Search Strategy Worksheet. This will let you focus on your subject in an organized manner. It will help you analyze your topic, looking at the various search terms and concepts in which you wish to search.
You can use the frame at left to go to any chapter you wish to explore next. The next chapter in order, however, is Documenting Your Sources.