Step 1: Focus and build on your Research

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:

  1. Calculation of available time.
  2. How do you evaluate the research topic to discuss?
  3. The reason for the research.
  4. The target audience of your research.
  5. 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

  1. The research process will be better when you choose a topic that interests you.
  2. Do not rely solely on your knowledge; consult with good peers and your teacher before deciding on a topic for your research.
  3. 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.
  4. Background reading helps you identify and narrow your topic to make your search easier. 
  5. You can use lecture notes, library books, and EKB's databases to refresh your knowledge of the topic. (know more about EKB)
  6. 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?
  7. 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).
  8. Subject guides may help to be familiar with your school topics. To Subject Guides