From Topic to Research: Selecting, Questioning, Formulating, Directing

1. Dr. Ryan Allen Assistant Professor of English &Writing Director, Writing Center 712-279-5211 ryan.allen@briarcliff.edu From a Topic to Research: Tips on Selecting a Topic, Developing a Research Question, Formulating a Thesis, and Directing your Research

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION • This presentation will cover: • Picking a topic • Developing a research question • Formulating a thesis statement • Directing your research • Some resources at your disposal for the completion of these points above

3. SELECTING A TOPIC • Some things to remember: • Some topics will be determined by your instructor/professor; some will be your choice • If it’s up to you, aim topick something that is both interesting and relevant to you • Consider picking a topic that you have some degree of familiarity with or some previous knowledge of • Something in your career or field of study is usually a good place to start • Although it is good to pick something that you have a personal connection with, it is important to remember that, generally speaking, your task will be to create an essay that is RESEARCH-BASED. • If it’s not up to you, FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS provided by your professor

4. Tips for Selecting a Topic • Look through the tasks and activities for your research writing assignment. Does this proposed topic seem substantive enough to meet the minimum requirements? • Have you tried brainstorming or clustering or free-writing on this topic yet? • Doing some pre-writing might help you focus down what about this topic really interests you. • Try completing this sentence: "I picked this topic because..." Answering this might point you in a direction of emphasis.

5. More Tips on Topic Selection • Doing some targeted preliminary research might also help as well. Take a look at Google Scholar or simply do a general internet search to see what is out there and if it's researchable (Use ‘subject’ guides’) • Consider how you will narrow your topic from something broad to something narrowed and focused

6. EXAMPLE • Topic: Humans Relationship to Land • How could I make this topic more narrow and focused? What might I want to focus in on?

7. DEVELOPING A RESEARCH QUESTION • If your first objective was to pick a topic, your second is to begin to direct that topic toward substantive research • When you ask meaningful questions research can be an enjoyable process • Try thinking about topic from a variety of angles • Examine causal relationships • Explore comparisons/contrasts • Delve into process analysis • Think of examples • Question traditional definitions • BE CURIOUS!!

8. Tips for Developing a Research Question • Determine scope of your issue (local, regional, national, international) • Determine your purpose (analysis, information, examination, evaluation, argumentation, etc.) • Determine who is impacted by your issue • Ask yourself who is interested in this issue, where would they read, write, talk, or hear about it, and in what types of media? • Determine what kinds of research you’ll need to do (primary/secondary) • Try to do some journalistic questioning (who, what, when, where, why, how)

9. THESIS STATEMENTS • The thesis is the main point of your research • It is the central maxim around which all the development of the essay centers • It might be the answer to your research question • Your thesis will be based on a position you take that comes from your research. • It is research-derived • It is usually one declarative sentence. • It will convey your essay’s main idea and thus, guide your paper development. • It may preview your major topics of your paper.

10. Tips for Developing a Thesis Statement • Try beginning with a phrase like, “Research shows” or “Studies have shown.” This will signal to the audience you have backing for whatever assertion you are about to make, which helps to establish your authority. • Aim to include a kind of forecast/preview of your main points in the actual thesis statement. • Put a 'because' at the end of your sentence and then finish the phrase. • What you come up with might get you a bit deeper and more specific and focused into your topic. Whatever you come up become the main points you develop in your body paragraphs.

11. More Tips on Thesis Statements • Make sure that thesis is research-based and not rooted in personal opinion only. • Is this thesis debatable? You want to be able to explore multiple perspectives if needed, so if there aren't any others your topic might not be dynamic enough. • In other words, say I accept what you say and say, "Sure, what you say is true," what then? • So, besides being debatable, you also want your topic to be substantive and able to cover a broad depth of resources. • Consider looking at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ for some additional guidance on creating a thesis statement.

12. Things to Remember • Make sure you: • Determine your purpose • Informative • Persuasive • Argumentative • Address the research question • Have included thesis early in essay (usually by end of 1stor 2nd paragraph) • Have revised your thesis accordingly as the body of your essay has undergone editing and revision

13. EXAMPLE • Topic: Creativity • Guiding question: What kind of personality characteristics foster creativity? • Thesis derived from research: Research suggests the most important personal characteristics that foster creativity are flexibility, intuition and discipline within one’s expertise.

14. Another Example • Topic: Environmental Impact of Oil Refinery • Guided Research Question: What are the local environmental implications for a new oil refinery being built near my town? • Thesis derived from research: Although the oil refinery will bring a boon to the local economy in the short run, by providing jobs and infusing capital into the area, research shows how the long-term environmental impact of the refinery will be devastating because of the pollution to the air and groundwater, and its negative impact on local plant and animal species.

15. Preliminary Research Resources • Going to the library at BCU will be very helpful for this endeavor. • Use the variety of databases you have at your disposal. • Go to http://www.briarcliff.edu/library/online_databases.aspx • Also consider looking at Google Scholar • Avoid Wikipedia!!!

16. Hierarchy of Research Resources Scholarly Article/Book Primary Text Interview/Survey Experiment/Test/Observation Sponsored Website Biography/Autobiography Trade Book Encyclopedia Popular Magazine Newspaper Depending on what type of research you’re doing, however, the ordering of this list may look a bit different

17. Determining Source Credibility • Examine author’s credibility • Professional affiliations • Awards received • Other publications • Cited by others • Worldview/Bias • Examine publisher’s credibility • Commercial/Academic • General public/Specialized group

18. Determining Source Credibility (cont.) • Online Credibility • Look at: • .edu (college/univ.) • .gov (government depts. & agencies) • .org (professional/non-profits) • .net (network site) • .com (commerical/business) • Relevance & Timeliness • Check for: • Up-to-date info • Focus (how will you use the source? Will you maintain original intent or take words out of context?)

19. QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? COMPLAINTS? CRITICISMS? Please contact the Writing Center! writing.center@briarcliff.edu 712-279-5520 Heelan Hall 050