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.
