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Research Process :: Step by Step

Be flexible with your research topic/question in the early phases. As you discover new information, you may need to change your focus to address more interesting or more pressing issues.

Is Your Topic Too Narrow?

If you are not finding enough information, your topic may be too narrow. Consider broadening it by:

  • Exploring related issues
  • Comparing or contrasting the topic with another topic
  • Choosing an alternative topic that is not so recent if it is not adequately covered in books and journal articles yet
  • Expanding the time period covered
  • Broadening the population considered
  • Expanding the geographic area discussed

Is Your Topic too Broad?

Narrowing a topic requires you to be more specific about your research interest and can help you to develop a thesis.

Questions to Narrow Your Topic

  • Who? Who is the specific person/group to which you would like to limit your research?
  • What? What specific aspect of the broad topic idea is interesting to you?
  • Where? To which specific geographic area or region would you like to limit your research?
  • When? On what time period would you like your research focused?
  • Why? Why do you think this is an important/interesting topic?

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis is typically a one sentence statement in the first paragraph, or beginning, of your project that states your purpose. Thesis statements should be arguable, specific, detailed, and meaningful.

Additional resources for help in developing a thesis statement:

Developing a strong thesis statement - Purdue OWL

Developing a thesis - Harvard College Writing Center

Examples

Broad Topic: What is the impact of climate change on the United States?

Narrower Topic: How will climate change impact sea levels and the coastal United States?

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Narrow Topic: Does cartoon viewing cause violent behaviors in children under the age of five?

Broader Topic:  What are the negative effects of television viewing on children and adolescents?

Helpful Handout :: Narrowing Your Topic

This handout illustrates how a research question develops from a broad topic to a focused question.