Choose a topic that interests you. The following questions may help get you started:
Picking a topic is more complex than you might think. Developing a good research question can sometimes be the most difficult part of the research process.
If you are unfamiliar with your potential topic, you may need to research background information before you can develop a strong research question. Background information can help you identify key names, dates, events, issues, concepts, and terms associated with the topic.
Some good sources to find background information:
Here are a few sources we suggest you explore.
Sometimes a topic that seems like the right size can seem way too big after you’ve learned a little more about it. When this happens, you need to narrow the focus of your topic.
Some of the ways you can limit your topic are by:
(adapted from U of Michigan - Finding and Exploring Your Topic)
Sometimes you will find that your topic is too narrow, and there is not enough published on your topic. When this happens, you can try to broaden your topic. There are a couple of strategies you can try when broadening your topic.
One strategy is to choose less specific terms for your search:
Another strategy is to broaden your topic by changing or removing limits from your topic:
(adapted from U of Michigan - Finding and Exploring Your Topic)