Research as a Conversation: Choosing a Topic

Questions for Choosing a Topic

• Check with your teacher about this.

2. What interests you? What would you like to find out about the topic you are considering? And will it hold your attention over a periods of weeks?

• Look in a textbook, encyclopedia, or book chapter for ideas.

3. What problem do you want to solve?

4. What do you know about that you would like to learn more about?

5. Can information be gathered and organized in the time allotted?

6. Is there enough information for the topic?

• Do a quick search in your library to see if there is enough information on your topic.
• Do you need to broaden the topic? What subject is it listed under?
• Librarians can help you with this.

• Do you may need to narrow the topic? What are the subheadings under this topic? (See Library of Congress Classification Outline)
• Librarians can also help you with this.

Think Hierarchically

You can always narrow or broaden your topic 

          1. Go up the hierarchy to find more specific topics.

          2. Go down the hierarchy to find broader topics.

          3. Go to the right or left on the hierarchy to find related topics.

                                     Burr oak trees in Ohio

       Burr oak trees

                                             Oak trees

 

      Trees                      Flowers

        Science      

Good tools for narrowing a topic

• Library of Congress Classification Outline
• Medical Subject Headings
• Discuss your topic with others