To start your research, you need to pick a topic. It sounds easy, but many people find selecting a topic challenging.
Some people think picking the first topic on a list or that comes to mind always works out. That’s not true! Information develops over time through different people’s ideas, so some topics have been discussed more than others. Many researchers then grow frustrated when they can’t find much information or what they do find doesn’t match their expectations.
Brainstorming and testing potential topics can prevent this frustration. Start with thinking about what interests you. It’s easier to research when you’re interested in your topic. Even with assigned topics, you can connect personal interests (e.g. from past classes, from your life). You can discuss your ideas with your instructor for some feedback.
You can explore topic options, whether from a provided list or your own interest, through browsing different resources. Browsing lets you look through many ideas quickly, so you can check what’s of high interest and how much coverage exists for potential topics.
Here’s a list of some online or library resources you might use:
Video Length: About 3 minutes (3:11)
Video Credit: Burke, Anne et al. "Picking Your Topic IS Research." YouTube, uploaded by NCSU Libraries. August 2013. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/picking_topic/ Used under CC BY-NC-SA license. Accessed 30 July 2016.
Before selecting a final topic, you must consider your scope. Considering scope means thinking what you’re being asked to do and what types, amounts, and depths of information you’ll need to do it.
To understand your information need, you should read any written descriptions or instructions carefully. Your instructor may specify how to pick your topic (e.g. from a list, a current problem). They may also list which sources (e.g. scholarly articles, books) and citation format (e.g. MLA, APA) you should use. If you are unsure about anything, you should ask your instructor.
You also need to know your scope to select a topic that fits the specific situation. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
If you’re preparing a 5-minute presentation on a health topic for your speech class, then a broad topic like skin cancer is probably fine. It’s related to health, it can be clearly defined, and you don’t need much depth. You might find some information on a government website or from a doctor’s office.
However, if you’re writing a 10-page argumentative paper on a health topic that requires scholarly articles for your English class, then skin cancer would be too broad. You need to select some aspect that can be argued, and scholarly articles are highly specific. A narrower focus, like how skin cancer detection can be improved in children, would be a better fit. You’ll need to use the library’s databases to locate scholarly articles to ensure they are accessible.
* What if you have a broad topic but aren’t sure how to focus it to fit your scope? That’s where Developing a Topic can help.
Ask yourself some of the following questions to help identify your scope: