Moving from a topic to a question to a working

hypothesis

Find a question in your topic

Brainstorm to get research topic ideas.

Choosing a topic and getting your question right is probably the most important part of starting any research.

Be specific-don't over generalize!

Your topic must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting,

yet broad enough to find enough information.

Always choose a topic that interests you.

Use these questions to help you gather topic ideas:

What topic you already know something about?

What would you like to know more about?

What issues in your field have you debated with others?

If you have a job in mind, what kind of research report might help you get it?

Make you topic manageable

Scan a general encyclopedia article on two or three topics you're considering.

This will give you an overview ideas on how the topic relates to other issues

Skim a survey in your topic

Skim subheads under your topic in an annual bibliography in your field

Search the internet for your topic

Question Your Topic

Any topic will be difficult to research if it is too broad or too narrow.

A great way to fine-tune a topic is to use the method traditionally used by newspaper reporters-Who?-What?-Where?-When?-Why?

Who is involved? A particular age group, occupation, ethnic group, men, women, etc. For example, if you are interested in writing about the environment,

you might focus on the effects of air pollution on infants and children.

What is the problem? Try stating your topic as a question. For example, if you’re interested

in finding out about drinking water, you might ask: Are there preventive measures that government can take to keep the drinking water supply from being contaminated?

Where is it happening?

A specific country, region, city, physical environment, rural vs. urban? For example: What environmental issues are most important in the

southern plains area of the U.S.

When is this happening? Is this a current issue or an historical event? Will you discuss the historical

development of a current problem? Example: How does environmental awareness affect business practices

today

Why is it happening / Why is this a problem? You may want to focus on causes, or argue the importance of this problem

by outlining historical or current ramifications. Or you may want to persuade your instructor or class why they should care

about the issue. Example: Why are some states seriously investigating wind power

opportunities now?

Be flexible. It is common to modify your topic during the research process.

Evaluate your question

You can answer it too easily You can’t find evidence to support the

answer You can’t plausibly disprove the

answer

The point us to find a question that you want to answer

Propose some working answers Analyze for concepts

Keep track of the words used to describe your topic.

To successfully search online article databases and the Internet you need to be specific in asking for what you want-and sometimes creative

. Research Idea Concept 1 I want to know about smokingConcept 2 smoking /Does smoking cause cancer? Concept 3. smoking cancer /To what extent do teens know smoking

causes cancer?

List synonyms and related terms (keywords) for each concept. smoking cigarettes cancer teens, teenagers, adolescents Add synonyms and related words. This will expand your search capabilities.

Decide on a working hypothesis

Create a working hypothesis that answers one or more of your questions.

Your working hypothesis is not necessarily your thesis, although it could be.

The hypothesis guides your research and provides a framework for answering the question.

When you believe you have enough solid evidence to support the working hypothesis, then you can create a solid thesis

Beware the risks in a working hypothesis

When it blinds you to a better one

When you can’t give it up when the evidence says you should

If you can’t find an answer argue for your question

Your job is to become that newer researcher

Only when you ask question after question will you develop the critical imagination you will need in any profession you will follow

Built a story board to plan and guide your work

State your question and working hypothesis

State your reasons

Sketch in the kind of evidence you should look for

Look at the whole