Selecting a workable topic can be the most difficult step in the research process. When choosing a topic, keep the following points in mind:
- The topic must meet the assignment's requirements.
- Choose a topic you are interested in. The more interested you are in your topic, the more motivated you will be to research and write about it.
- Select a topic understandable to you as you read about it.
- The topic must be specific enough to let you master a reasonable amount of information on it in the time you have. A topic that is too broad will give you too many sources and it will be hard to focus your research.
- Make sure sufficient, relevant information is available from appropriate sources. If your topic is too narrow or obscure, you many not find enough sources. This is especially true of local topics which may only be covered in local newspapers and not in other sources.
Follow these steps when selecting a topic:
- Start with a topic or general idea that interests you.
- Brainstorm to come up with more ideas.
- Presearch to find background information on the topic.
- Narrow your general idea into a focused, manageable research idea.
- State your topic as a research question you can answer with the resources available to you.
- Your assignment may also require you to formulate a thesis statement.
Your topic will evolve as you learn more about it. You may need to refocus or refine it based on the information you find.
