When choosing a topic for your research assignment, make sure you consider the following:
After you have a well-formed topic, you should:
When you are doing background research on your topic, you want to consult reference sources. These can be encyclopedias found in the library or online; and yes, in this preliminary phase of research you can use Wikipedia. Just remember that Wikipedia is not consistent and while one entry might be accurate another one may not be; it is therefore not advised to cite Wikipedia in your research.
Use the 2-step outline below to develop a research question from your research topic
Part 1: Start by breaking down your topic. Fill in the blanks to help you discover your question:
A) I am studying...(state what your broad topic is):
B) in order to find out....(use standard journalistic questions: who, what, where, when, but focus on why and how):
C) in order to help my reader understand...(motivate your question, why does your reader need to know this):
Your Research Question (use the ideas in A-C to form a research question):
Part 2: Answer the questions below regarding your research question:
A) Is it interesting to you?
B) Does it have focus?
C) Is it too broad or too narrow?
D) Can it be researched?
Example:
A) I am studying...cell phones and driving habits
B) in order to find out...how cell phone use contributes to traffic accidents
C) in order to help my reader understand...why using cell phones while driving may increase safety risks to themselves and others
Your Research Question: How does the use of cell phones contribute to traffic accidents and increase safety risks to both the community and the user?
Part 2: Answer the questions below regarding your research question:
A) Is it interesting to you? Yes, I am interested in learning about the safety risks of using cell phones while driving and how to lower the use of cell phones while driving.
B) Does it have focus? This question is focused on cell phone usage, traffic incidents, and community safety. All these topics are closely connected and therefore provided a focused research question.
C) Is it too broad or too narrow? There is a chance this topic may be too broad and may be trying to cover too much. If my research proves this to be true, I will attempt to narrow or adjust my research question.
D) Can it be researched? I believe this can be researched as traffic accidents caused by cell phone usage are, to my knowledge, pretty common.
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