Step 1: Focus and build on your Research
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Discovering Topic
Discovering means determining your information needs to identify a topic that you will discuss in your research, whether it was for:
- Creating a research paper.
- School assignment.
- Making a report.
- Satisfying personal curiosity or answering a specific question.
Identify a Topic
The hardest step in starting research is identifying a topic; thus, when choosing a subject, you must consider several factors:
Includes:
- Calculation of available time.
- How do you evaluate the research topic to discuss?
- The reason for the research.
- The target audience of your research.
- The topic's coverage limits [Timeline, Geography, language, and deadline].
The elements listed will identify your research strategy; otherwise, how is research managed?
Figure 2: How to develop a good research topic [video]
Tips &Tricks
- The research process will be better when you choose a topic that interests you.
- Do not rely solely on your knowledge; consult with good peers and your teacher before deciding on a topic for your research.
- Limit the concept to those that are more manageable, as there will be some information to focus on if the topic field is not specified.
- Background reading helps you identify and narrow your topic to make your search easier.
- You can use lecture notes, library books, and EKB's databases to refresh your knowledge of the topic. (know more about EKB)
- To limit your topic, you can turn it into Wh-questions such as:
- What? / Who? / How: You can use those Interrogative words to identify the main problem that you will investigate:
- What is the impact of global warming?
- Who is responsible for global warming?
- How to avoid global warming?
- Where: Used to limit the place where you will discuss your problem:
- What is the impact of global warming (Where) in Africa?
- When: You can use the question mark to limit the period that you will investigate the problem:
- What is the impact of global warming in Africa (When) in the 21st century?
- What? / Who? / How: You can use those Interrogative words to identify the main problem that you will investigate:
- Make your question:
- Clear (can easily understand its purpose without additional explanation).
- Focused (can be answered in the research paper).
- Concise (can be expressed in the fewest possible words)
-
Complex (not a yes or no question).
- Subject guides may help to be familiar with your school topics. To Subject Guides