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How to Narrow a Research Topic

How to Narrow a Research Topic. Adopted from OSU Libraries. Ask yourself these questions:. When your research topic is too broad , ask these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? . Topic: Immigration reform. Example broad topic: Immigration reform

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How to Narrow a Research Topic

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  1. How to Narrow a Research Topic Adopted from OSU Libraries

  2. Ask yourself these questions: • When your research topic is too broad, ask these questions: • Who? • What? • When? • Where? • Why? How to Narrow a Research Topic

  3. Topic: Immigration reform • Example broad topic: Immigration reform • This topic is too broad and needs to be narrowed down to something more specific.

  4. Use AND, OR, NOT Use AND to narrow down a topic. Use OR to broaden a topic. Use NOT to eliminate a information not wanted.

  5. Who? TOPIC: Immigration reform Populations Age NEW TOPIC: Immigration reform for Latinos. Gender Race or Ethnicity How to Narrow a Research Topic

  6. What? TOPIC: Immigration reform Types Build a Fence NEW TOPIC: How will building a border fence effect illegal immigration? Tough Laws Amnesty How to Narrow a Research Topic

  7. When? TOPIC: Immigration reform Timeframes Current or historical view NEW TOPIC: Illegal immigration’s effect on young males. Period of life How to Narrow a Research Topic

  8. Where? TOPIC: Immigration reform Places States NEW TOPIC: Illegal immigration in Arizona. Regions Countries How to Narrow a Research Topic

  9. Why? TOPIC: Immigration reform Evaluate Causes NEW TOPIC: Potential solutions for dealing with illegal immigration. Treatments Outcomes How to Narrow a Research Topic

  10. Mix n’ Match • Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research. • Some examples: • Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes. • Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States. • Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present. How to Narrow a Research Topic

  11. Narrow your topic Use the following resources for an overview of your topic: Encyclopedias – Give a brief summary Print – Found on the Reference Shelves Online - Gale Virtual Reference Library Opposing Viewpoints – (Reference Articles) Issues & Controversies SIRS Issue Researcher

  12. Gun Control In California New Laws Crime Would there be less crime in California if new laws controlling guns were passed?

  13. Obesity Youth Junk Food Schools Could the obesity epidemic plaguing our youth be solved by eliminating junk food from schools ?

  14. Construct a keyword search Research question: Could the obesity epidemic plaguing our youth be solved by eliminating junk food from schools ? Sample Search “junk food” And (obesity or obese) And School*

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