how to narrow a research topic
DESCRIPTION
How to Narrow a Research Topic. Adopted from OSU Libraries. Ask yourself these questions:. When your research topic is too broad , ask these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? . Topic: Immigration reform. Example broad topic: Immigration reform - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Adopted from OSU Libraries
How to Narrow a Research Topic
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Ask yourself these questions:
How to N
arrow a Research Topic
When your research topic is too broad, ask these questions:
• Who?• What?• When?• Where?• Why?
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Topic: Immigration reform
• Example broad topic: Immigration reform
• This topic is too broad and needs to be narrowed down to something more specific.
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Use AND, OR, NOTUse AND to narrow down a topic. Use OR to broaden a topic.
Use NOT to eliminate a information not wanted.
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Who?How
to Narrow
a Research Topic
TOPIC: Immigration reform
Populations
Age
Gender
Race or Ethnicity
NEW TOPIC:Immigration reform for Latinos.
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What?How
to Narrow
a Research Topic
TOPIC: Immigration reform
Types
Build a Fence
Tough Laws
Amnesty
NEW TOPIC:How will building a border fence effect illegal immigration?
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When?How
to Narrow
a Research Topic
Timeframes
Current or historical view
Period of life
NEW TOPIC:Illegal immigration’s effect on young males.
TOPIC: Immigration reform
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Where?How
to Narrow
a Research Topic
TOPIC: Immigration reform
Places
States
Regions
Countries
NEW TOPIC:Illegal immigration in Arizona.
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Why?How
to Narrow
a Research Topic
Evaluate
Causes
Treatments
Outcomes
NEW TOPIC:Potential solutions for dealing with illegal immigration.
TOPIC: Immigration reform
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Mix n’ MatchHow
to Narrow
a Research Topic
Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research.
Some examples:
• Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes.
• Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States.
• Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present.
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Narrow your topicUse the following resources for an
overview of your topic:1. Encyclopedias – Give a brief
summary1. Print – Found on the Reference
Shelves2. Online - Gale Virtual Reference
Library2. Opposing Viewpoints – (Reference
Articles)3. Issues & Controversies 4. SIRS Issue Researcher
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Gun Control
In California
New Laws
Crime
Would there be less crime in California if new laws controlling guns were passed?
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Obesity
Youth
Junk Food
Schools
Could the obesity epidemic plaguing our youth be solved by eliminating junk food from schools ?
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Construct a keyword searchResearch question:Could the obesity epidemic plaguing our youth be solved by eliminating junk
food from schools ?
“junk food”
And (obesity or obese)
And School*
Sample Search