Deciding on a Research Topic
- Read the assignment requirements carefully. Your professor may have chosen a topic for you or want you to stay within a certain criteria. If you are unsure what topic would be relevant, talk to your professor.
- If you can choose your own topic you can:
- Choose a topic you find interesting.
- Look for topics in current events in the news, CQ Researcher, or Opposing Viewpoints.
- Try a topic that is relevant in your particular field or major.
- Need some ideas? Try this guide that has research topic ideas organized by discipline.
Look at the Scope
- Consider how broad or narrow you topic is.
- If your topic is too broad, it may be difficult to find focused and relevant information. The topic should be focused enough that it is meaningful to your audience.
- If your topic is too narrow, it may be hard to find information. If your topic is highly focused, be more flexible in your search strategy. For example, if you're interested in organic food labeling in a specific city, widen your information search to organic food labeling within the United States
Examples:
Too Broad: Food Safety
Better: Impact of government regulations in the United States food safety.
Too Narrow: History of organic labeling of pork products in the city of Portland, OR.
Better: Labeling of organic food in the United States.
Keep in mind
