Getting Started
Here are some suggestions to get started with your research:
- Choose a topic
- It's okay—even helpful—for your topic to be broad initially; it should become more concentrated as you research.
- When selecting your topic, keep in mind the parameters of your assignment—including any specific requirements, as well as its due date!
- Gather background information
- Consult sources like encyclopedias to get an overview of your topic. This will also help you generate keywords or search terms to use for gathering sources.
- Refine your topic
- Use the information you've gathered to refine your focus.
- Beware of your focus being too narrow or broad. If it's too narrow, you may have trouble finding sufficient sources to cultivate your paper. If it's too broad, it will be difficult to cover all aspects of the topic in enough depth.
- Formulate relevant questions
- Your question(s) should raise the issue(s) you want to address through your paper.
- Develop your research strategy
- Determine keywords related to your topic.
- Determine where to search for sources related to your topic’s subject area.
- Find and evaluate sources
- Make sure to properly cite the sources you use and/or refer to.
