Your initial step in deciding on a topic is to find inspiration. Your professor may have provided a specific topic or list of topics to research.
If you found yourself inspired by many topics, then it is time to choose just one. Here are three ways to help you decide on a topic that is right for you:
Topic Finder
Once you have thought of a topic and created a research question that you would like to explore, the next step is to perform some background research on your topic. Conducting background research can help you learn more about your topic and may also help you refine your focus. By knowing more about your topic's background, you can develop a more defined topic and a stronger research paper.
Background research can take several forms. You might search Google, or read a few encyclopedia entries, or even a chapter in a textbook. In all of these instances, you will be briefly surveying the existing information to learn about your topic. This is a good practice because it helps to:
Reference sources are designed to help you find specific types of information quickly. You can use reference sources to:
What kind of reference source do you need? Consult the chart below to determine where best to find specific types of background information.
| Information Need | Recommended Information Sources |
|---|---|
|
Starting Point for Research |
Try multipurpose reference sources first! These are large databases or collections of different types of reference sources, covering broad subject areas. For instance:
|
|
Background information on a topic |
Use encyclopedias for a quick introduction to a new topic, or as a starting point in your research process. Encyclopedias can be very general and introductory, or extremely specialized and academic. |
|
The meaning of a word or an idea |
Use dictionaries for definitions of words and concepts -- as well as translations. |
|
Practical information on a topic or a comprehensive overview |
Start with handbooks, manuals, guides (etc.) for quick facts, formulas, and other practical information. |
|
Information about a person or group of people |
Biographical sources can give you information about individuals -- and also let you search for people by topics. |
|
Information about a place |
Looking for geographical information? Start with maps, atlases, and gazetteers. |
|
Current information about a topic |
Look at newspapers and magazines for contemporary reporting on an issue or topic. |
|
Data, numbers, or facts on a topic |
Need numbers or quick facts about a topic or time? Start with statistics, almanacs, and yearbooks. |
|
Need more? |
When you have to dig deeper, go to bibliographies and other reference sources. |
Chart adapted from "Background Reference Sources" from Simon Fraser University Library.
Performing background research may reveal that your topic or research question is too broad (large) in focus or too narrow (small) in focus. You may have found too many or too few results to meet your information needs or assignment requirements. For example, a topic like "opioid use" will be too broad and return many results and potential areas for research. In contrast, a topic like "opioid use among teenagers in Waltham who attend private school" will be too narrow to find substantial research.
If you suspect your topic or research question is too narrow or too broad, see the next section for tips on how to fix these issues.
If you returned too many results, it can be helpful to narrow the focus of your research.
Here are some techniques to help narrow your topic.
| Technique | Ask Yourself | Example | Narrowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Period | Can my topic focus on a specific time or date range? In the past decade or specific year? In the future? | e-cigarette sales | e-cigarette sales in the last five years |
| Place | Does my topic have a local focus? Can I focus on a specific geographic region or area? | gentrification | gentrification in Boston, MA |
| Population | Can I limit the topic to a specific gender, age group, income level, ethnicity, nationality, education level, etc.? | social media use | social media use among teenagers |
| Viewpoint | Can I focus on a political, philosophical, ethical, social, legal, or economic aspect or viewpoint? | cost of health care | cost of health care for welfare recipients |
| Person/Group | Is there an individual or group relevant to my topic? | athlete salaries | student-athlete compensation |
Your topic or research question could potentially be too narrow or specific to find enough information, so you may need to broaden your topic to find acceptable resources.
Here are some techniques to help broaden your topic.
| Technique | Ask Yourself | Example | Broadened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generalize | Is my topic too specific? Can I use more general terms to describe the topic? | loneliness caused by Instagram | mental health risks of social media use |
| Synonyms | Is there another way to say my topic? Are there any related terms? | women in Batman movies | gender roles in superhero films |
| Eliminate Concepts | Am I trying to research too many concepts at a time? Can I eliminate one or more? | academic achievement of 3rd graders in Massachusetts private schools | academic achievement of elementary school students in Massachusetts |
| Currency | Is my topic so new that there is not much research on it yet? Can I look at a larger issue instead? | unionization of Starbucks employees | labor disputes in the foodservice industry |