Your success as a researcher depends on the nature of your topic—what you are writing about, what you are seeking, or what you hope to answer. Most students conduct research for the purposes of writing an essay or research paper assigned by their instructor. In most cases, your instructor will assign you a topic to write about, suggest some suitable possibilities or ask you to develop a topic of your choice.Your subject should be timely and appropriate for research. Topics that generate the most press coverage (such as abortion, domestic violence, or gay marriage) and dominate the public's consciousness are more easily researchable since so much published material from a variety of different sources is available. Conversely, subjects that are more specialized require a more concerted effort to uncover background information, relevant facts, and source material. In this case, unearthing this information may prove more difficult. Avoid settling on any topic without checking out its research potential first.Developing a topic that is researchable isn't as difficult as you think. To expedite the process, first take stock of those immediate resources that can aid you in the development of your idea and guide you in the right direction. To zero in on the most interesting or most suitable angle for your paper, check out the most promising resources. Three successful strategies can help you achieve this goal:1. Check your library. Never underestimate your school or public library as a major source for ideas. Do some quick reading to learn more about topics you have in mind, or you have been assigned. Books, periodicals, newspapers, and electronic media head the list of potential resources you can review. One useful source for finding ideas or topics for written projects is 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports and Speeches, 5th ed., by Kathryn Lamm (New York: Arco, 1998).Browse the headings in your library's catalog, keeping potential topics in mind. The library reference staff can assist you in determining the plausibility of your topic. Reference librarians know a wide range of resources and strategies, and also may spot problems with your topic that you never considered. They can direct you to the best places to look for preliminary information on your topic.Consulting general encyclopedias or general references, like the Columbia Encyclopedia or the Encyclopaedia Britannica, that cover a variety of subjects or disciplines will help you realize the potential of your topic, or help you consider ideas to write about. Encyclopedias are the common background sources used in libraries for specific topics. They provide a broader context for your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. General references achieve the same objectives and, much like encyclopedias, feature entries that include complete bibliographies of additional sources you can check later.Online databases, often offered free through your school or public library, are another important tool for generating ideas as well. Equipped with search engines, they allow you to research any subject or topic. Many include links to full-text articles and preliminary source material. (See "Options for Searching" for more details.)2. Check the Internet. Doing a general search of the Internet can also help you develop your topic or come up with topical ideas. Various Web search engines, from AltaVista to Google, will lead you to a wide range of suitable Web pages, providing overviews, background material, and other potential resources.Another great venue of ideas is Questia.com, the world's largest online library of books and journals. Rich in scholarly content, the site contains a variety of research paper resources, including links to more than 5,000 popular paper topics in art history, biography, economics, education, health, history, music, philosophy, psychology, and religion, as well as controversial topics.When researching your topic, be careful of Web sites not sponsored by established groups, companies, and organizations, or those that appear biased in nature, such as lobbyist and advocacy groups. Also avoid articles that are outdated and those that have no author's name attached to them.3. Check with others. Sometimes it pays to bounce your ideas off other people you know, or brainstorm with those who may be more experienced or more knowledgeable than you are. As noted earlier, you may want to talk with your class instructor for his or her constructive input. Or talk with friends, family members, or classmates who will freely express their ideas and can provide a good creative "think tank" approach for you in finding a topic.Still stuck on a topic? Reading current newspapers and magazines or watching or listening to news on radio and TV programs that cover "hot button" issues of the day can be beneficial. Every day they report important stories on topics of national, state, and local interest and can be a natural source of ideas. (For a more complete discussion of sources, see "Finding Your Sources" "Gathering Your Information.")Whatever you decide, don't select a topic just for the sake of getting your assignment done. Choose a topic that you are passionate about, and that you will enjoy spending considerable time and energy researching. Possessing enthusiasm for your subject is essential to keep you driven through every stage of your project to completion.Also keep in mind that developing your topic will be an ongoing process. As you undertake the process, in your search for more specific information, you may find the need to change, broaden, narrow, refine, or tweak your topic if the depth of material you need to define your topic does not fully exist.
|
Email
Print
Save
Citation
Record URL
