Some instructors may require you to use a topic from a prepared list, but often you will be able to choose any topic related to your course.
Choosing a Research Topic:
- Suitable for your assignment's requirements. If you are not sure, check with your instructor before you start to search for information.
- Not too broad or too narrow for the assignment. Here are some tips for narrowing a broad research topic:
- Focus on a population, ethnic or age group. For example: infants, college students, senior adults, Asian Americans, etc..
- Focus on a geographical area or environment. For example: public schools in cities or rural towns in the Great Plains.
- Focus on a particular theory. For example: positivism, constructivism, behaviorism, or feminist theory
- Focus on a certain author, movement, or historical event.
- Interesting to you personally. If you need help choosing from a list of assigned topics, ask for help from the Writing Center or speak with a librarian.
Defining the Research Topic:
- state your topic either as a research question
- (for example): "What effect does television violence have on children?
- OR give your topic as a research statement in one or two sentences
CALVIN T. RYAN LIBRARY