Choosing a research topic and formulating a Research Question
Take time to develop a research question that you will be interested in exploring. Research is fun when you want to know more about the topic, so start with a broad question and then narrow the focus.
You can then conduct a review of the literature by reading articles on your topic from the library databases. Talk to your professor to gain a clear understanding of the assignment(s). Your research question can be developed as your research unfolds and you gain a broader perspective from other points of view.
As you start your research project, it is important to plan ahead and start your research early and ask for help before the project gets overwhelming. Ask a librarian for research assistance and when writing your paper use the writing tutors services online. You can also ask other classmates questions using the discussion board. Don’t wait until it is too late. If you have a question, it is likely that others in your class have a similar question.
Identify the key concepts about your topic:
Example: I want to research whether advertising effects childrens food choices.
Keywords: food, advertising, children
food AND advertising AND children
This type of search returns fewer and more specific results
food OR advertising OR children
This type of search returns many results
If you have trouble finding articles, you can brainstorm alternate words for your concepts. Consider synonyms, alternative spellings, variant endings (e.g., health, healthy, healthier, etc.) and acronyms.
| Food | Advertising | Children |
|
|
Commercials | Families |
| Beverages | Computers in advertising | Age groups |
| Convenience foods | Cartoons | Gender |
Read the article Critical Reading Practices and watch the videos for tips on
Textual Analysis and Identifying Thesis Statements
Formulating a Research Question