Information Literacy & Critical Appraisal: Developing a Research Topic
Crafting a research topic or question
Having a research topic or question that works well for your assignment is one of the most important steps to creating a successful paper or project! Your topic forms the foundation for all of the planning, searching, and writing or creating it takes to complete a project. Because deciding on and developing a topic can also be one of the most difficult elements of a project, this module will guide you through the process.
Elements of a useful research question
A research question should be…
Up for debate
In many assignments, your instructor will ask you to make an argument for or against an issue, or to make a case for a theory. Therefore, you will need to choose a topic that is up for debate or discussion.
You will also need to back up your position with evidence. You will need to find resources, data, and other information that can help you make a case in your assignment. As a result, you will need to make an argument about something that can be observed, measured, or otherwise supported with research.
The right size for the assignment
You will discuss your topic or question for the entirety of your assignment...and it’s unlikely your instructor has asked you to write a book. Keep that in mind! Try to pick a topic that is broad enough to discuss for the length of the assignment, and specific enough that you can make your argument as completely as possible.
Interesting to you
Don’t underestimate the importance of this last concept! When you are working on a research project, you will likely spend days or weeks thinking about your topic. It’s a better use of your time (and more fun) to work on something you find personally interesting. You are more likely to generate rich, creative ideas that will take you down surprising research paths in your class and into the future.
Getting started
Not sure where to begin with a research idea or question? We recommend trying the following steps to get started.
Start with a broad idea or term
- immigration
- artificial intelligence
- climate change
- gun control
- diversity
- health care
- social media
- poverty
Find information to fill in the blanks
You will need background information to help you learn more about your broad topic and focus on ideas that you can explore in a research project.
As you search, think about filling in the blanks to the following questions:
Who?
- Who is involved?
- Who does this issue impact?
- Is there a specific population or group most affected?
What?
- What is your main focus or interest in this issue?
- What is the underlying issue or problem?
When?
- When did this issue begin?
- Has it changed over time?
- Is there a time period you’d like to focus on?
Where?
- Is there a specific region most impacted or of particular interest to you?
Why?
- Why are you interested in this topic?
- Why should others care about this issue?
How?
- What factors or influences have contributed to this issue?
We recommend the following library resources:
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Provides analysis of issues in the news, including health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy.
- Opposing Viewpoints (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Contextual information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. It features continuously updated viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites.
- Points of View Reference Center (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Points of View Reference Center is a full text database designed to provide students and schools with a series of controversial essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. Essays provide questions and materials for further thought and study and are accompanied by thousands of supporting articles from the world’s top political and societal publications.
Use what you know to develop questions
Based on the information you’ve found, what do you want to know more about?
Try to write down as many ideas as you can--these are your rough drafts for your research question.
Here’s a condensed version of the process:
- Why are cat memes so popular on the internet?
- When did people start treating pets like members of the family?
- To what extent did Victorian attitudes towards pets influence our contemporary attitudes?
Underline or circle the key terms in your sentence or question
Example:
To what extent did Victorian attitudes towards pets influence our contemporary attitudes?
Think of synonyms and related ideas for each concept
These will be your keywords when searching. Try to come up with as many ideas as possible to increase the odds your search will bring up the results you need.
Example:
Term or concept: attitude
Synonyms or related ideas: view, approach, outlook, opinion, mindset, thought, feeling, stance
Be prepared to adapt!
Your question may change as you search--and that’s not a bad thing! Research is a process that should change your ideas about a particular issue as you explore information. Repeat and retrace your steps as needed in order to research in a way that works for you!
Part of this step includes knowing when to ask for help! In addition to assistance from librarians, Learning Commons writing tutors can help you develop a research topic with brainstorming sessions. Find out more information on the Learning Commons Homepage
Ask A Librarian
We a can help you learn how to use the library's online resources to get started with your research, locate books, or answer other general questions. Contact a librarian by
email: library@corning-cc.edu
phone: 607-962-9251
or schedule an appointment.