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Ready, Set, Research: An Introduction to the Research Process

This guide introduces users to fundamental steps in the research process

Databases for Finding Topics

Topic Selection Considerations: Finding the Topic Sweet Spot The topic sweet spot is found when these three considerations are weighed equally: Understanding your assignment. It is crucial to understand your assignment guidelines. This includes what topics you should explore, length of finished work, and the number & types of required sources. Mode of presentation is also vital: Is the work informative? Analytical? Persuasive? Compare-contrast? Problem-solution? Source availability. Source availability can affect topic choice. Prompts requiring 8 peerreviewed journals demand more scholarly topics than prompts requiring 3 substantive sources. Preview available sources before committing to a topic. A librarian can help you do this! Personal relevancy. If your topic isn't personally meaningful, your research will turn perfunctory and tedious. Choose topics that get you excited about investing your time and energy. Chase the knowledge, not just the grade.

Generating Topic Ideas: Five Good Strategies Strategy 1: Real world brainstorming. Answer these questions and compile all your answers into a list of potential topics. Question: What interests, activities, and aspects of your life define you outside of school? Question: What problems--physical, emotional, economic, etc.--affect you or those close to you? Question: What do you think are the biggest problems facing our community/country/planet? Strategy 2: Brainstorming on the web. Google a broad topic you've brainstormed, has been suggested by your professor, or has been discussed in your classroom or textbook. This is a quick and easy way to get a snapshot of how other people are addressing your topic. Write down any ideas you find intriguing. Strategy 3: Using a pick a topic database. The Library subscribes to 6 different databases providing ideas for topics. Strategy 4: Meeting with your professor. Your professor literally invented the assignment and has read lots of successful responses to it. They can likely offer you great ideas from past semesters, plus advise you on pitfalls to avoid. Plus, taking advantage of an office hour is a great way to get to know your professor better. Strategy 5: Collaborating with MJC librarians. Your MJC research librarians collaborate with thousands of students every semester, and they also work closely with classroom faculty. They are a strong and creative source of topic ideas and can also help you get started finding sources.

Subjects: Research Tips
Tags: how_to, howto, infographics, kathleen, research
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