Develop a Topic
Choose a topic of appropriate size and interest to you, determine keywords/search terms and develop a thesis or central focus.
KEEP IN MIND:
CONSIDER:
Suggestions for creating a successful research project.
Try a KWHL chart to help get you started.
Thesis:
Create a strong thesis statement, from the knowledge of your topic collected by research and notes.
Think about your opinions and observations of the subject. This will help you connect ideas in a unique way, and perhaps reveal an idea you have yet to consider.
KEEP IN MIND:
- If it is too broad there will be too much information, but if it is too narrow you will not find enough information.
- If too broad then concentrate on subtopics like groups involved, areas of affected, time periods covered, etc.
- If too narrow then concentrate on broader implications, historical effects, new innovations, similar or related topics.
- If a topic is very new, you may not be able to find very much printed information on it.
CONSIDER:
- What do you know about the topic? What do you want to learn about the topic?
- Think about the best words to use when searching. You may need to use a variety of words when searching. A list of related words and/or phrases for researching.
- What types of information sources will be best for this topic (print books, databases, newspapers, television/radio transcripts, personal interviews, websites, etc.)?
- Wikipedia: Least Reliable Source, OR IS IT?
- Consider library databases versus web search engines
- What interests me about this topic?
- What do I already know about this topic?
- What kind of background information would give me an overview of my topic?
- Do I know enough my topic to ask good questions?
- Am I still interested in my topic?
- What do I expect to find?
- Will my question(s) lead me to answer that will fulfill my assignment or purpose for research?
Suggestions for creating a successful research project.
Try a KWHL chart to help get you started.
Thesis:
Create a strong thesis statement, from the knowledge of your topic collected by research and notes.
Think about your opinions and observations of the subject. This will help you connect ideas in a unique way, and perhaps reveal an idea you have yet to consider.