Choosing Your Topic and Forming the Research Question

I. Before You Begin: Understand What A Research Paper Is

  • Research papers should be devoted to topics and questions that are of interest to other students and scholars.
  • Research papers must be more than personal response.
  • Research papers should help the reader to better understand a topic or to see it in a new way.
  • Research papers should present the reader with an informed argument that supports its thesis.

II. Choosing Your Topic
Choose a topic from the following list or write in a topic of your own choosing if you have something definite in mind. (Click here for help choosing a topic)

Women in the American West Technology in Education
College Students and Binge Drinking Teens and Violence
Religion and Culture Toni Morrison
Or, write in your own topic here:

III. Focusing Your Topic
1. List some subtopics or different aspects of this topic you might investigate: (Click here for help exploring subtopics)

2. Choose one subtopic listed above that you would like to research and type it in the box.

IV. Forming the Research Question
Type a preliminary research question that expresses your research focus. (Click here for help forming the research question)

V. Identifying Concepts
 1.Using the research question in section IV, list two or three words from your question that are most relevant to your research focus. (Click here for help identifying concepts)

2. Can you think of any alternative terms for your key words? For example, “computers” rather than “technology” might yield additional results that could be useful. (Click here for help identifying alternative terms)

List your alternative keywords here:

Congratulations!
By completing this activity, you have already begun the research process.
Please enter your contact information below and click "Submit."
We advise that you print a copy of this activity for your records before submitting it.

Your Name:

Your E-Mail Address:
Your Professor's Name
Course Name or Number
Class Time

Have you ever attended a library instruction session before? Yes No
If yes, for what course (please tell us the course name or course number)?
To help us better meet your needs, tell us what you would like to know about the library or the research process.

Before submitting this form, use the Print command on your browser to print a copy of your work for your records. Then click on SUBMIT to send your work to the Librarian. Please call x4210 if you have any questions, and we will see you soon!

*This activity was adapted from the University of Southern Colorado "InfoTrail" assignments.