Paideia 112 Research Unit

Now that you've read around in your topic area and had several days of class discussion on your section's research text, you can begin to narrow your topic and develop a research question.  Use Worksheet 1: Getting Started by Narrowing Your Topic (see Home: Worksheets 1-10) to help you develop specific topic ideas. 

Developing a good research question can sometimes be the most difficult part of the research process. Make sure you choose a topic that interests you and will hold your attention. If you do, the research will be more enjoyable!

Still can’t think of a topic to research? 

• Scan your common text for broad topic ideas, or look in the index or table of contents (books) or bibliography (books and articles).
• Browse print and electronic encyclopedias.
• Discuss potential topics with your instructor, a librarian or a classmate.