Library DIY

Choosing a research topic 

• Read the assignment requirements carefully. If you are unsure what topic would be relevant, talk to your professor.
   
• Choose a topic you find interesting. 
   
• Spend some time learning more about your topic idea.  This will give you a sense of how you can narrow down the topic.  See the section labeled "Resources for Exploring and Developing your Topic" below.

• Consider how others have written about your topic. What unique spin could YOU put on this topic?
   
• Consider your topic's scope. How broad or narrow is it?
   
  • If your topic is too broad, narrowing it will make it easier to find relevant information.
     
  • If your topic is too narrow, broadening your search strategy will help you find related information. Consider broadening your search strategy. For example, if you're interested in organic food labeling in a specific city, widen your information search to organic food labeling within the United States.

Examples

Too broad: food safety
Better: impact of U.S. government regulation of food safety

Too narrow: history of organic labeling of pork products in Portland, OR
Better: labeling of organic food in the United States

Refining your research focus

• Brainstorm concepts and related terms. (For example, the topic "polar bears" could be related to terms like: pollution, hunting, diet, and environmental icon.)
   
• What's your approach to the topic? Your research could, for example, use an historical angle (focusing on a particular time period); a geographical angle (focusing on a particular part of the world); or a sociological angle (focusing on a particular group of people). Your approach will depend largely on your research question and on the class or the academic discipline in which you are working.
  
  
• Start more exploratory research. Consider how others discuss the topic. How might the sources inform or challenge your approach to your research question? Refine your topic in light of what you find.
   
• Develop a research question. After you know more about your topic and how others are discussing it, begin to develop a research question. What about this topic interests you and is likely to engage your readers? (See "From Topic to Research Question.")
   
• Research is a dynamic process. You will likely need to refine your question as you learn more about your topic. This is usually the sign of thoughtful research.

Resources for exploring and developing your topic

• Your instructor
• BVU librarians
• course readings or textbook
• class notes
• Research and Subject Guides: online guides that help you identify encyclopedias, books, databases, and other materials. (Click "By Subject" for Subject Guides.)

These library resources work well for exploring topic ideas

From topic to research question

Where to search

Learn more about a topic

Understand my assignment