Defining Your Topic - CMP101 - Composition 1 - Clarkson - NSCC Library at North Shore Community College

How to Choose Your Topic

Follow these steps to choose a topic:

Choose a topic that can be researched
Write down what you know about the topic
Conduct background research to understand how to focus your topic
List questions that you would like answered to help narrow your topic
Choose a question that is focused, interesting, and not too broad to guide your research
Evaluate your question
Develop your thesis

Using Wikipedia to Develop Your Topic

Wikipedia is a great place to start your research, to get ideas about your topic, and to help you understand the issues related to a topic. While you won't use it as a source for your paper, you can use it to develop your topic, research question, and search strategy.

2. A. How to Develop a Good Research Topic

Concept Maps

Concept Maps are a great way to visualize your topics. Begin with a broad topic and brainstorm ideas about related issues. Combine focused objects to create your research topic. For instance, you could research the impact of rainforest destruction on developing nations.

Where to Begin?

Look up your main concepts in general encyclopedias and subject-specific reference sources. Read articles in these reference materials to set the context for your research. Note important key terms or phrases. Note any relevant items in the bibliographies at the end of these encyclopedia articles. Additional background information may be provided in your lecture notes, textbooks and items on reserve in the library.

Our Credo Reference database has just what you need to get you started.

General Sources

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo Reference finds context or background information for topics. Interactive Mind Maps identify closely related concepts and keywords associated with a topic.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window
Informed viewpoints support learners in developing critical-thinking skills and drawing their own conclusions. Covers current social issues through viewpoints, reference articles, infographics, news, images, video, and audio.
Academic Video Online (AVON) This link opens in a new window
Find videos of documentaries, interviews, performances, news programs and newsreels. Includes award-winning films, newly released films, and instructional videos.

Wikipedia
Use Wikipedia to determine the issues related to your topic, and to generate keywords and search terms. Wikipedia is considered to be a general encyclopedia, and therefore cannot be used as a source for your paper. It is an excellent source to use to help you understand your topic. Look at the list of references at the bottom of the Wikipedia article; these are often good sources.
Other Sources
Look over your class notes and textbooks for some ideas and information about your topic.

Types of Information Sources

Need help choosing where to begin your research?

Depending on your topic you might want to start by looking in books, journals, newspapers, or on the Web. The Purdue Online Writing Lab has some great information on research and how to select appropriate sources. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/552/03/

Organizing Your Research

Research Paper Navigator
Calculate a timeline to organize your research with this great resource from the University of Minnesota.
Tools to visualize your topic from the University Libraries of Mississippi
Try one of the mapping tools on this page to help visualize and organize your topic.
Concept mapping:how to start your term paper research (Video)
Watch this YouTube video on how to develop and use a concept map to organize your topic.

Handouts

Characteristics and Benefits of Using a Variety of Sources in Research
Research Plan
Use this form to help develop your topic.
Research log
Use this form to organize and develop your search terms and strategy.

CMP101 - Composition 1 - Clarkson: Defining Your Topic