research a topic worksheet

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Research Worksheets and Handouts

• Getting Started
• Evaluating Sources
• General Research

Getting Started Having trouble getting your research rolling? These handouts and worksheets can get you past that initial hurdle.

Topic Identification worksheet (pdf) This graphic organizer will help you understand your assignment, identify and focus your topic, create a search strategy and find sources in 6 easy steps! For more information about research topics, visit www.codlrc.org/research101/topics

Developing Your Research Question (pdf) An infographic of journalistic questions that can help you brainstorm potential research questions.

Finding Evidence worksheet (pdf) Before you start your research, consider what evidence you’ll need to support your claims and think about how to find it.

Subject vs. Keyword Searching (pdf) Learn how to use keyword searching and subject searching together to find what you're looking for in the Library catalog and article databases.

Boolean Logic, Truncation, and Nesting (pdf) An introduction to advanced search techniques you can use to help you find information efficiently and effectively.

Advanced Research Search Strategies and Techniques (pdf) A quick reference for the types of advanced searching techniques you can use in databases, the Library catalog and in search engines.

Tips for Evaluating Information (pdf) Whether a resource is print or electronic, text-based or image-based, researchers must carefully evaluate the quality of the source and the information found within. When evaluating the quality of resources, here are some things to consider.

CRAAP Test (pdf) Do your sources pass the CRAAP Test? Use this guide to help you consider whether a source is appropriate for your research needs.

Source Evaluation Worksheet (pdf) Use this form to help you determine if a source is appropriate for your research. For more information about evaluating sources, visit www.codlrc.org/evaluating/sources

Research Article Anatomy (pdf) Reading research gets easier once you understand and recognize the pieces and purposes of research studies, from abstract to references.

Reading (and Understanding) Research (pdf) Adapted from How to Read and Understand a Scientific Paper: A Guide for Non-Scientists by J. Raff.

Introduction to College Research (pdf) Helpful resources for every stage of the research process.

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Research 101 (A How-to Guide): Step 1. Choose a topic

• Step 1. Choose a topic
• Step 2. Get background information
• Step 3. Create a search strategy
• Step 4. Find books and e-books
• Step 5. Find articles
• Step 6. Evaluate your sources
• Step 7. Cite your sources

Step 1. Choose a Topic

Choosing an interesting research topic can be challenging.  This video tutorial will help you select and properly scope your topic by employing questioning, free writing, and mind mapping techniques so that you can formulate a research question.

Good Sources for Finding a Topic

• CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window Browse the "hot topics" on the right hand side for inspiration.
• 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing, New York Times Great questions to consider for argumentative essays.
• ProCon.org Facts, news, and thousands of diverse opinions on controversial issues in a pro-con format.
• Room For Debate, New York Times This website, created by editorial staff from the New York Times, explores close to 1,500 news events and other timely issues. Knowledgeable outside contributors provide subject background and readers may contribute their own views. Great help for choosing a topic!
• US News & World Report: Debate Club Pro/Con arguments on current issues.
• Writing Prompts, New York Times New York Times Opinion articles that are geared toward students and invite comment.

Tips for Choosing a Topic

• Choose a topic that interests you!   
• Pick a manageable topic, not too broad, not too narrow. Reading background info can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic.
• Review lecture notes and class readings for ideas.
• Check with your instructor to make sure your topic fits with the assignment.

Picking your topic IS research!

• Developing a Research Question Worksheet

Mind Mapping Tools

Mind mapping, a visual form of brainstorming, is an effective technique for developing a topic.  Here are some free tools to create mind maps.

• Bubbl.us Free account allows you to save 3 mind maps, download as image or HTML, and share with others.
• Coggle Sign in with your Google account to create maps that you can download as PDF or PNG or share with others.
• << Previous: Overview
• Next: Step 2. Get background information >>
• Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024 11:37 AM
• URL: https://libguides.depaul.edu/research101

• CSI Library Home
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English 151

• Pick a Topic & Develop a Research Question
• Getting Started
• Gather Background Information (or topic browsing)
• Use Databases to Find Articles
• Databases for Current Affairs/ Issues
• OneSearch for E-Books
• Annotated Bibliographies
• Cite Sources: MLA Style
• Off-Campus Access
• Information Literacy and Research Online
• Full Collection of Videos for Library Research
• Test Your Knowledge (Assessments)
• Reach out to a librarian! (Reference Desk Online)

Pick a topic and develop a good research question

The first step in writing a research paper is choosing a good topic. Your topic will have to be something that falls within the guidelines provided by your instructor, and should also be something that you find interesting and would like to learn more about.  However, a good research paper involves more than choosing an interesting topic and reporting information on it.  A research paper should attempt to critically analyze a complex problem, and that means you need to develop a focused research question, which is essential to the research process.  By defining exactly what you are trying to find out, your research question influences most of the rest of the steps taken to conduct your research. Follow the guides below to help you choose a topic and develop a good research question:

• Choosing a Topic A worksheet designed to help students brainstorm a topic for a research paper.
• Crafting a Research Question This is a worksheet designed to help students move from their chosen topic to a more focused research question.

Video: from topic to research question to keywords

Creating Research Questions

This section will help you consider a topic for your research paper that is interesting to you, and that is researchable using library resources. When you select a topic and focused research question, you’ll want to consider a few things:

• Does your section of ENG 151 have a theme? Does your professor want your research topic to correspond to that theme?
• What do YOU find interesting? You are going to spend hours reading information, thinking about how the information fits together, and then writing pages of critical analysis about your topic. This will be a more pleasant experience for you if you are genuinely interested in the topic you choose.
• Keep in mind that when you are searching for information about your topic, you can only find information that has been published This means you’re looking for a topic that other people are talking about, thinking about, and writing about. So, it needs to be interesting to you, but also to others.
• Don’t forget that you already know things! Many research papers start from the spark of an idea from something we hear or witness in the world around us.

Remember, your research question is NOT your thesis statement; it’s exploratory. If you start doing research and discover that people are writing articles about a more interesting (or easier to research) question, you can always adjust your question as you collect information.

The tools collected here will help you think about a topic that genuinely interests you, and develop a clear, concise, and researchable question based on that topic.

From Topic to Research Question

Your topic is the general, overarching area that you’re interested in, while the research question is a focused, smaller sliver of information you’re questioning within that topic. Topics are broad, while research questions are focused.

Topic: Urban Transportation

Research Questions could be…. “Why do some neighborhoods/communities oppose or advocate against creating bike lanes in their neighborhoods?” or “What factors increase or decrease the likelihood of electronic car adoption in urban environments?”

Topic: Immigration

Research Questions could be… “How has the United States’ handling of immigration changed from the Obama White House to the Trump White House?” and if that question ends up being too large or unwieldy, you can adjust it to something like, “What does living in a ‘Sanctuary City’ actually mean for undocumented students attending college in New York?” or “How have immigration policies affected families that live on either side of the Texas/Mexico border?” You can adjust your question based on what (and how much) information comes up in your searches.

What Makes a Research Question "Researchable"?

Good question! Coming up with a research question that leads you to a manageable paper is challenging and gets easier with practice. It’s a delicate balance between a few variables.

• OPEN questions versus SHUT questions: You want to ask a question that doesn’t have an obvious answer, something you can really grapple with. Your topic should have multiple points of view, aspects of it that people don’t all agree on. When the question is open-ended, you have more to investigate. If your question leads to a single point of view, or an obvious answer, you’re going to have a challenging time writing 10 or so pages about it. Shut question: why are vaccines bad? Open question: Where did the debate around vaccines start and why are some convinced vaccines are harmful? What does the science say about the efficacy of vaccines?
• SPECIFIC , rather than VAGUE . A good question tells you where to start your research right there in the question. A vague one will make you feel like you don’t know where to start, like you could be writing about almost anything. A question like “What does living in a ‘Sanctuary City’ actually mean for undocumented students attending college in New York?” gives you all the terms of the question: sanctuary cities, undocumented people, students, college, NYC. These are your search terms in the library databases! A vague question gives you nothing to hold onto. Vague version: How do folks feel about immigration. AHHHHHHHHH where do I start? Who are the folks? Why might they have feelings? Where are they coming from? Where do they live now?
• FOCUSED , rather than BROAD . The paper your professor wants you to write is not a report. (But you can use reports in your research!) You are not writing an overview of a huge topic, but rather a focused critical essay of close analysis. Your research question needs to be focused too. A broad question will leave you drowning in a sea of information that you can’t possibly synthesize in a few pages. Too broad: what is the history of slavery in the US? Focused: An exploratory analysis of the arguments (pro and con) around removing statues of southern civil war generals. This second question relates to slavery, but cuts the topic down to a focused (and researchable) issue.
• ANSWERABLE , but not OBVIOUS . Some of the universe’s interesting questions are not answerable in a research paper you’re writing in a few weeks (or perhaps at all). Why are there so many vampire movies? (Instead, analyze social themes brought up by one of them.) What makes men attack women? (Instead, investigate strategies people use to break the pattern of domestic abuse in relationships.)

Need ideas for topics? Check out these 2 databases

If you are still not sure what topic you would like to explore, the following 2 databases might help.  Click the Browse Issues button in the database to see an alphabetical list of issues:

• Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints Provides access to full text literature about current controversial issues such as abortion, capital punishment, climate change, cloning, gun control, immigration, and more. Available material on each topic includes viewpoint essays, topic overviews, newspaper and magazine articles, statistics, and links to related web sites.
• CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window Full text reports written by seasoned journalists about current social, political, and economic issues. Includes topics in health, education, international affairs, public policy, the environment, technology, and the economy. Each report includes a concise overview of an issue, historical background, opposing arguments, statistics and polls, and suggestions for further reading. Great place to begin research on current affairs issues. Coverage Dates: 1991 to present
• << Previous: Getting Started
• Next: Gather Background Information (or topic browsing) >>

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• URL: https://library.csi.cuny.edu/eng151
• Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 9:05 AM

Evaluate Potential Topics With Ease

You’ve worked through some of the literature and identified a few potential research topics, but you’re not sure whether they really stack up. Or perhaps you’ve got two strong candidate topics and can’t decide which one is best…

Worry not . Our free research topic evaluation worksheet will help you fast-track your topic ideation and evaluation process. Using the worksheet, you’ll be able to systematically evaluate your prospective topics based on:

• Topic originality/novelty
• Value and significance
• Data access
• Equipment access
• Time constraints and requirements
• Literature base
• Supervisor accessibility
• Ethical considerations
• Personal appeal 
• Project risk

Best of all, the worksheet is completely free. So, download your copy today.

Not quite at the topic evaluation stage yet? No problem.

Here are a few resources that will help you find potential research ideas :

• Research gap 101
• How to find a research topic
• Our mega list of research topic ideas /thought starters

If you’re new to academic research, join our free Topic Ideation 101 webinar (below) to learn how to find a high-quality topic and develop your proposal. 

Prefer to get 1-on-1 help with your research topic? Be sure to check out our private coaching services , where we assist you through the topic ideation process.

• Library Research Tutorial
• Lesson 1: The Library Research Process
• Scholarly vs. Popular Sources
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources
• Source Evaluation
• Topic Exploration

Topic Worksheet

• Journal Articles
• Books & Media
• Subject Databases
• Refine Searches
• Synthesis Grid
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Citing Sources
• Librarian Research Help
• Library Research Tutorial Quiz

Build a Keyword List

Once you have read your assignment, know what types of sources you need and have selected and explored your topic, use the below "Topic Worksheet" to begin building a list of keywords on your topic.

The Topic Worksheet below will help you organize your thoughts on your topic and come up with a list of terms and keywords, related to your topic that you can use to begin your searches.

Use the Topic Worksheet during your entire search process, especially while finding sources, as you discover even more about your topic based on the search results you find.

Topic Worksheet Example

Here is an example of a filled out Topic Worksheet to help clarify how this tool can help you develop your topic and continue your searches.

Blank Topic Worksheet

• Begin by saving a copy of the blank Topic Worksheet  document to your device.
• Fill in your topic or thesis statement at the top.
• Spend some time thinking about your topic. What about your topic do you want to know? What is interesting about it? Fill in the 3 main Concepts. Use the Topic Exploration resources to help with this if needed.
• Then, brainstorm all of the words you can think of under each Concept.
• << Previous: Topic Exploration
• Next: Lesson 5: Find Sources Effectively >>
• Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024 3:08 PM
• URL: https://libguides.xavier.edu/Library_Research_Tutorial

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Digital Learning Commons

You are here, developing a research question + worksheet.

Time Commitment

Description.

Learn how to take a broad topic and develop it into a research question that will define the scope of your project. 

Your research guides your project from beginning to completion. Unlike your topic, which may be fairly general, your research question will define the specific scope of your project. In other words, the research question tells readers what you're trying to find out. 

Develop your Research Question

• Define the topic area: In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research. (Example: Smoking cessation.)
• Describe the problem: In a sentence or two, describe a problem that could be addressed in your topic or area of research. (Example: "Smokers often relapse because of complex physical and psychological factors.)
• Specify the gap and justify the investigation: What is unknown or unresolved? Why should we bother investigating it? (Example: We don't know what combination of physical and pscyological factors is most often associated with smoking relapse.)
• Brainstorm as many questions as you can think of that relate to your research topic/problem/gap. Try starting questions with what, why, where, who, and how; in general, avoid questions that will result in only "yes" or "no" answers. 
• Draft a primary question: Do you see one main question emerging from the list above? If not, try doing some additional reading or thinking, or talk to your supervisor or instructor (Example: How do the physiological and psychological effects of smoking make it difficult for young adults to quit smoking?)
• Draft a secondary research questions: What information do you need to gather to answer you primary question? (Example: Before we can answer the question of "how" physiological and psychological effects make it difficult to quit smoking, we need to identify what the key effects are.)

Assess & Refine

Evaluate your research question. Ask yourself the following questions: will readers understand it on first reading? Is it feasible given your time and resources? Does it contribute to a wider academic conversation?

Talk it over: Use this worksheet to talk with your supervisor or instructor about the scope and direction of your research plan.

Tighten your Focus. Look at every word in your question. Replace as many as you can with more specific language or ideas (e.g., instead of "students," say "Grade 9 students in Ontario").

Revisit often! Keep your research question in mind throughout the research and writing process. 

You may find that you need to adapt your research question as you learn more. 

• Assignment Help

Creative Commons Information

Recommended

5 questions to strengthen your thesis statement.

Asking Questions to Explore Your Topic

Search Modifiers Cheat Sheet

Search form

• Where Is It?

Research Worksheet: Research Worksheet

Research worksheet printable versions.

• Rersearch Worksheet Printable Word document. Feel free to download and print.
• Research Worksheet Printable PDF version. Feel free to download and print.

How to do Research

Systematic Serendipity

Read this in conjunction with the Research Worksheet in the next box to develop your research skills; learn to work smarter, not harder; and ensure your research efforts are efficient and effective.

In a phrase, research is the process of  “USING SOURCES TO FIND MORE SOURCES” (aka Systematic Serendipity) . Here you will find a brief explanation of the basic steps involved in research while applying this principle.

Select and Focus a Topic :

Select a topic . If you can select your own topic, pick something that is of interest to you and for which there are sufficient resources available. Be careful not to select a topic that is too broad or too narrow but make sure you limit your topic to just  one  concept. Use this focusing exercise to guide you in the early stages of your search.

Turn your topic into a title . Allow yourself the freedom to change the title, outline and even the topic as your research informs your ideas.

Write a thesis statement or statement of purpose : what one question do you want to answer about this one topic. Asking yourself who, what, when, where and why about the topic will help you focus where you want to go with it. 

Develop a Preliminary Outline . Use the keywords from the title and thesis statement as key search terms and as the basis for a preliminary outline. This will help guide you in the early stages of your research. It will inevitably change as you gather information and refocus your topic.

Identify terminology:   Make a list of what you already know from off the top of your head:  authors, titles, and keywords. Think about synonyms, broader terms, narrower terms and related terms, alternate spellings, scientific or technical terms as well as common terms.

An extremely valuable tool to further assist you in identifying good search terms is the  Library of Congress Subject Headings Online  (LCSH) <https://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects.html> search platform. Here you can look up your common, colloquial concepts to find universally recognized subject headings. Also, use LCSH Online to discover how your selected terms fit within their related subject hierarchies (click on <Church work> below).

For example a search for <ministry> leads to <Lay ministry> which in turn retrieves this useful information:

·  Variants

·         Ministry, Lay

·         Volunteer workers in church work

·  Broader Terms

·          Church work

·  Narrower Terms

·          Lay preaching

·          Lay readers

·          Lord's Supper--Lay administration

·          Lord's Supper--Lay celebration

·  Related Terms

·          Laity

·          Priesthood, Universal

·          Volunteer workers in Christian education

Get Background Information:    Get acquainted with your topic by searching broad range tools like encyclopedias and dictionaries. In addition to general information on the subject, these will give you a basic outline, the broad parameters of your topic, a bibliography of highly recommended sources as well as a recognized expert in the field. This will help you focus your research topic as well as enhance your understanding of the topic as you read more detailed resources.  The bibliographies and authors of encyclopedia articles are excellent sources for further research, which is a prime example of Systematic Serendipity , i.e., using sources to find more sources . To easily identify encyclopedias and dictionaries on any topic, use the Discovery Catalog with this formula: <su:encyclopedias OR dictionaries> *  then whatever your topic, either as a subject or as a keyword. Like this:

su:encyclopedias OR dictionaries AND “lay ministry”

su:encyclopedias OR dictionaries AND kw:”lay ministry”

If you can’t find anything on your specific topic, try searching its broader context (e.g. search the broader concept of “church work” if “lay ministry” doesn’t retrieve any results). Use the  LCSH Online   to identify broader, narrower, related terminology.

*NOTE :  the terms "encyclopedias" and "dictionaries"  must  be plural; OR  must  be in all caps

Tools to search .  Using the authors, titles and terminology you now have:

Go to the  Online Public Access Catalog  (OPAC) (i.e.  WorldCat Discovery   and  WorldCat Discovery Advanced  to locate library materials related to your topic.  Apply “Using sources to find more sources” to your search results (hit list) by examining the Subject field in the Description portion of each record. This will provide more appropriate terms with which to find more relevant resources. When you locate materials that are helpful, use their respective bibliographies to identify even more sources; another example of “Systematic Serendipity”

In addition to searching books, you may want current information not yet published in book form. Periodicals will need to be searched for the most current scholarly information available on a subject. Searching periodical indexes and abstracting sources will identify for you the articles available on your topic. These can be accessed through the  Discovery Catalog   by limiting the Resource Format to “Articles” or Content Type to “Peer Reviewed”. Better still, use “ Find Databases ” for a more focused search of specialized indexes and databases related to the selected category, i.e., ATLA Religion with Serials Plus, BAS Online, Christian Periodical Index. Use the authors, keywords and subject headings you discovered from your reading of encyclopedia articles, the records that you found in your Discovery catalog search and the bibliographies from the books you’ve discovered. 

Recommended Reading for help in Library Research:  Badke, William.  Research Strategies:  Finding Four Way Through the Information Fog, 5 ed. Bloomington, IN: IUniverse, Inc., 2021.  ISBN: 9781663218742. Call # 001.42/B142r/2021.

Use the Research Worksheet below to guide the early stages of your research. It is not necessary to fill in all the blanks; use only those that are relevant.

Last updated February 2024.

Research Worksheet

Use the Research Worksheet to help you walk through each step of the Research Process without losing your way.  Each step is designed so you can add any new information that you may find; No need to repeat the same information over and over again.  The lines are merely prompts.  Include as much or as little information as is needed for the research project.

  napkinwriter.wordpress.com 4322 × 2007   February 26,  2013

Select & Focus your Topic 1.  Select a topic: ___________________________________________ 2.  Turn your topic into a title:  _________________________________ 3.  Write a thesis/purpose statement: ___________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

4.  Prepare a preliminary outline:  I.  Introduction II.  ___________________________________________________    A.  _________________________________________________    B.  _________________________________________________ III.  __________________________________________________    A.  _________________________________________________    B.  _________________________________________________    C.  _________________________________________________ IV.  __________________________________________________    A. __________________________________________________    B.  _________________________________________________ V.  Conclusion

 5.  List known terminology:  Authors: ______________________________________________  Titles of books or articles: ________________________________  Keywords: ____________________________________________

 5.1 LC Subject Headings (http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects.html ): select a term(s) representative of your topic and search LCSH Online for universally recognized subject headings. Variants: ______________________________________________ Broader Terms: ________________________________________ Narrower Terms: _______________________________________ Related Terminology: ____________________________________

6.  Get background information from general/specialized encyclopedias: Discovery catalog: su:encyclopedias OR dictionaries AND [your topic].

Before you go any further, analyze your search results to retrieve the best sources: Use   Analyzing Search Results Worksheet

   Titles used:  1.  ___________________________________________________                        2.  ___________________________________________________                        3.  ___________________________________________________                        4.  ___________________________________________________                        5.  ___________________________________________________

Use Sources to find other sources :  Record here any newly discovered pertinent or relevant information gleaned from encyclopedia articles: Persons; article author: _____________________________________________ Places:  _________________________________________________________ Events:  _________________________________________________________ Keywords:  ______________________________________________________

Prepare a Bibliography adding selected titles from encyclopedias & dictionaries; put citations in proper style.

7.  Refocus topic based on information learned from encyclopedias and dictionaries as needed: Change Title: ____________________________________________________ Rewrite Thesis/Purpose Statement: __________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Adjust Outline: I.  Introduction II.  _________________________________________________________    A.  ________________________________________________________       1. _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________ B.  ________________________________________________________       1.  _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________    C.  ________________________________________________________       1.  _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________ III.  _________________________________________________________    A.  ________________________________________________________       1.  _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________    B.  ________________________________________________________       1.  _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________    C.  ________________________________________________________       1.  _______________________________________________________       2.  _______________________________________________________ IV.  _________________________________________________________    A.  ________________________________________________________    B.  ________________________________________________________    C.  ________________________________________________________ V.  Conclusion

Tools to Search  8.  Search the Discovery catalog: use searchable access points identified from 5 & 6 above. 

Analyze your search results to retrieve the best sources: Use  Analyze Search Results Worksheet

 Use Sources to find other sources:  Record any new relevant searchable access points gleaned from bibliographic records:  Dewey Decimal number(s): _________________________________________  Subject Headings:  ___________________________________  Authors:  ______________________________________________  Keywords/Descriptors (from Tables of Contents, Notes, Titles):  __________________________________

Bibliography :  Add selected citations to bibliography (in proper style); very briefly annotate each title; indicate why each title has been chosen and which part of the outline it will support:

9.  Select appropriate Periodical Indexes:  from the Library’s Web site select Find Databases. Use A-Z Databases list       _______________________________________________________       _______________________________________________________       _______________________________________________________

Devise Boolean Search Strategies for each database * and index (as needed):        _______________________________________________________       _______________________________________________________

*NOTE : online databases use these field codes: SU , AU ,TI , and TX  for subject, author, title and keyword respectively. Include a space after each code and before the search terms.

Apply Limits peculiar to each database and index:        _______________________________________________________       _______________________________________________________

Bibliography :  Add titles to the bibliography (in proper style); very briefly annotate each title; indicate why each title has been chosen and which part of the outline it will support. 

10.  Select appropriate Web sites.  Use Scholarly Internet Search Engines compiled and maintained by librarians and scholars (work smarter not harder):         

11.  Use Sources to find other sources:  Record any new relevant additional searchable access points gleaned from each article, book, bibliographic record, Web site used:    Authors: __________________________________________________    Persons:  _________________________________________________    Places:  __________________________________________________    Events:  __________________________________________________    Keywords:  ________________________________________________    DDC/LC numbers: __________________________________________    LC Subject Headings:  _______________________________________    Bibliographies; Cited References - add to your own bibliography if useful.

12. Evaluate each resource found (use Evaluating Sources ).

Work smarter not harder. Ask Miss T

• Last Updated: Feb 6, 2024 2:52 PM
• URL: https://masters.libguides.com/worksheet

• Need a Topic?
• Form a Research Position
• Background Research
• Brainstorming Strategies This link opens in a new window

Narrow Down Your Topic: Example #1

Narrow down your topic: example #2, try narrowing down your topic....

• Choosing Keywords
• Find Articles
• Get Help This link opens in a new window

Forming a Research Question

Topic Development

Concept Map

Topics/Thesis

• #1 Blank Worksheet Complete the attached Topic Development / Pre-Search Worksheet.
• #2 Blank Worksheet (Long Version) Complete the attached Research Exploration Form.
• #2 Fracking Example (Long Version - with additional Social Justice questions)
• << Previous: Brainstorming Strategies
• Next: Choosing Keywords >>
• Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 9:26 AM
• URL: https://libguides.lmu.edu/needatopic

Research Guide

• RESEARCH WORKSHEET
• Library Tutorial / Orientation This link opens in a new window
• APA & MLA Styles / Citations This link opens in a new window
• Search Strategies

Take notes during your research process

• Library Research Worksheet Click the link and a Word version of the worksheet will download to your computer for completing and printing.
• Library Research Worksheet Click the link and a PDF version of the worksheet will download to your computer for printing.

The Library Research Worksheet is a resource that you can print out and use to take notes during your research process. Note-taking while you research is highly recommended because it helps you organize your thoughts and findings, and it keeps you on track when you have to divide your research time into several sessions. The worksheet guides you through the steps of developing your topic, figuring out how to search for information, evaluating search results and citing sources.

See an example of the research process

This document is the Library Research Worksheet completed with an example topic to help you understand the research process a little better.

• Library Research Worksheet Example
• << Previous: The Research Process
• Next: Library Tutorial / Orientation >>
• Last Updated: Jan 26, 2024 12:15 PM
• URL: https://guides.nfc.edu/research_guide

Writing Research Papers

• Information Literacy Goals
• Why Write Research Papers?
• Inquiry Process
• Research Topic / Question
• Developing Research Questions & Search Terms
• Source Types - Part 1
• Source Types - Part 2
• Finding Sources - OneSearch & Databases
• Evaluating Information
• Synthesis / Writing
• Citing Sources & Bibliographies

Topic vs. Research Question

A research topic is a subject that you are interested in investigating. For instance, Bees is a Topic.

A  research question  drives your investigation. It is something that you want to know  about  your topic; something you will explore and try to answer. For example, "How do bees work together as a community?" is a research question. 

Using the 5Ws to Develop a Research Question

Concept Mapping Your Topic

Concept mapping can be a great way to brainstorm ideas and make connections between them. The following worksheets can be helpful to you in this process. But first, check out this tutorial on how use concept mapping to generate a great list of questions: https://uclalibrary.github.io/research-tips/questions/ .

• Example of a Concept Map
• Concept Map Activity

Sources to Help You Explore Your Topics Related to Contemporary or Controversial Issues

• << Previous: Inquiry Process
• Next: Developing Research Questions & Search Terms >>
• Last Updated: Jan 24, 2024 1:02 PM
• URL: https://libguides.lehman.edu/writing-research

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Research Questions - Activities & Materials

#1 Combine Internal (personal interest) + External Information (class materials, other sources) ;  See Exploring Topics -- Resources.

• course theme(s)
• jigsaw activities
• independent information finding

#3 Using a Reading to Choose a Research Topic -- Worksheet (PDF) , Hayden and Margolin at Hunter College Libraries

• Uses an article to go through the process of coming up with additional research questions.  Students read Sherry Turkle's " Can You Hear Me Now" (2007) from Forbes .   The PDF is found at " Asking a Research Question" .
• The starting question is "How is technology affecting us?"  Students ask asked to be more specific about defining technology, what the affects may be (affecting what?), and defining the population (us).
• This moves the students from the broader questions to narrower questions.  Examples of narrower research questions are given.

#4 Stases as a Research Method and Student Stases Worksheet (PDF) , Hayden and Margolin at Hunter College Libraries

• This methods ask six questions about an issue.  The worksheet gives 3 examples of research questions starting with "Does a problem exist?" (Existence). 

#5 "How Do I Create Research Questions?" (PDF) , student handout from Sonoma State University Library

• A) I am studying ... B) In order to find out ... C) In order to help my reader understand D) Research Question: The second page asks students to evaluate research questions by interest, focus, scope and feasibility.
• The library guide also provides examples of research questions, both those with problems and those that are improved.

#6 Building Research Questions (PDF) , brainstorming activity for students with handout (PDF)

• Students generate possible research questions through the video/brainstorming activity. Then they use the handout in pairs to dive deeper into a conversation about their potential research questions.
• Video: Mapping Your Research Ideas (UCLA Library); larger lesson adapted from Research Exploration Exercise from Archambault listed below
• Note:  Word documents of these activities are linked below in case you'd like to edit them

#7 Research Exploration Exercise , Susan Archambault at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Library

• An extensive handout (8 pgs.) leading students through identifying a research topic, conducting background reading, noting social justice themes, concept mapping, identifying related scholarly conversations, incorporating other viewpoints, etc. Note that there are references to materials at LMU Library.

#8 Developing a Research Questions , materials developed for Teaching Research and Information Literacy (TRAIL) with Writing 10 at UC Merced

• example of research questions for discussion; chart emphasizes moving from issue (topic) to narrower questions.  It asks students to identify the underlying problem, the social significance and a possible proposal/solution.  Students may need to investigate more before they can articulate a solution.

#9 Teaching the Craft of Writing an Effective Research Question , a series of lesson place from Rachel Dineen and Brianne Markowski at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)

• Characteristics of Effective Research Questions - Students review evaluative criteria from the Student's Guide to Writing College Papers (though it can be done without the chapter.)  Criteria is reviewed in class.  They work in pairs to improve upon a sample research question.
• Peer Review Research Questions -- Criteria for effective research questions is reviewed.  Characteristics of effective feedback are given, Students review each other's questions and reflect on the process.
• Moving Beyond Scenarios -- Students take a scenario and create a research question from it using this fill-in-the-blank statement. I am working on the topic of _______________ because I want to find out _______________ so I can suggest to _______________ what to do to improve _______________.
• Topic Brainstorm -- Students think about how their specific interest links to a larger (societal) issue with three concentric circles of Me, Community, and Nation. 
• Narrowing a Topic Brainstorm -- Students are encouraged to develop a topic based on sources frm three peer-reviewed articles selected by the instructor related to a specific topic e.g. sustainable agriculture.  Students create a topic mindmap.
• Building Research Questions Lesson Plan
• Building Research Questions Handout
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101 research paper topics.

• Why do we sleep ?
• How do GPS systems work?
• Who was the first person to reach the North Pole ?
• Did anybody ever escape Alcatraz ?
• What was life like for a gladiator ?
• What are the effects of prolonged steroid use on the human body?
• What happened during the Salem witch trials ?
• Are there any effective means of repelling insects ?
• How did trains and railroads change life in America?
• What may have occurred during the Roswell  UFO incident of 1947?
• How is bulletproof clothing made?
• What Olympic events were practiced in ancient Greece?
• What are the major theories explaining the disappearance of the dinosaurs ?
• How was the skateboard invented and how has it changed over the years?
• How did the long bow contribute to English military dominance?
• What caused the stock market crash of 2008?
• How did Cleopatra come to power in Egypt what did she do during her reign?
• How has airport security intensified since September 11 th , 2001?
• What is life like inside of a beehive ?
• Where did hip hop originate and who were its founders?
• What makes the platypus a unique and interesting mammal?
• How does tobacco use affect the human body?
• How do computer viruses spread and in what ways do they affect computers?
• What is daily life like for a Buddhist monk ?
• What are the origins of the conflict in Darfur ?
• How did gunpowder change warfare?
• In what ways do Wal-Mart stores affect local economies?
• How were cats and dogs domesticated and for what purposes?
• What do historians know about ninjas ?
• How has the music industry been affected by the internet and digital downloading?
• What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden ?
• What was the women’s suffrage movement and how did it change America?
• What efforts are being taken to protect endangered wildlife ?
• How much does the war on drugs cost Americans each year?
• How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
• Are humans still evolving ?
• What technologies are available to home owners to help them conserve energy ?
• How have oil spills affected the planet and what steps are being taken to prevent them?
• What was the Magna Carta and how did it change England?
• What is the curse of the pharaohs?
• Why was Socrates executed?
• What nonlethal weapons are used by police to subdue rioters?
• How does the prison population in America compare to other nations?
• How did ancient sailors navigate the globe?
• Can gamblers ever acquire a statistical advantage over the house in casino games?
• What is alchemy and how has it been attempted?
• How are black holes formed?
• How was the assassination of Abraham Lincoln plotted and executed?
• Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
• How do submarines work?
• Do lie detector tests accurately determine truthful statements?
• How did Cold War tension affect the US and the world?
• What happened to the lost settlers at Roanoke ?
• How does a hybrid car save energy?
• What ingredients can be found inside of a hotdog ?
• How did Julius Caesar affect Rome?
• What are some common sleep disorders and how are they treated?
• How did the Freedom Riders change society?
• How is internet censorship used in China and around the world?
• What was the code of the Bushido and how did it affect samurai warriors ?
• What are the risks of artificial tanning or prolonged exposure to the sun?
• What programs are available to help war veterans get back into society?
• What steps are involved in creating a movie or television show?
• How have the film and music industries dealt with piracy ?
• How did Joan of Arc change history?
• What responsibilities do secret service agents have?
• How does a shark hunt?
• What dangers and hardships did Lewis and Clark face when exploring the Midwest?
• Has the Patriot Act prevented or stopped terrorist acts in America?
• Do states that allow citizens to carry guns have higher or lower crime rates?
• How are the Great Depression and the Great Recession similar and different?
• What are the dangers of scuba diving and underwater exploration?
• How does the human brain store and retrieve memories ?
• What was the Manhattan Project and what impact did it have on the world?
• How does stealth technology shield aircraft from radar?
• What causes tornadoes ?
• Why did Martin Luther protest against the Catholic Church?
• How does a search engine work?
• What are the current capabilities and future goals of genetic engineers ?
• How did the Roman Empire fall?
• What obstacles faced scientists in breaking the sound barrier ?
• How did the black plague affect Europe?
• What happened to Amelia Earhart ?
• What are the dangers and hazards of using nuclear power ?
• How did Genghis Khan conquer Persia?
• What architectural marvels were found in Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire ?
• From where does spam email come and can we stop it?
• How does night vision work?
• How did journalists influence US war efforts in Vietnam ?
• What are the benefits and hazards of medical marijuana ?
• What causes desert mirages and how do they affect wanderers?
• What was the cultural significance of the first moon landing ?
• What are sinkholes and how are they formed?
• Have any psychics ever solved crimes or prevented them from occurring?
• Who is Vlad the Impaler and what is his connection to Count Dracula ?
• What are the risks of climate change and global warming ?
• What treatments are available to people infected with HIV and are they effective?
• Who was a greater inventor, Leonardo di Vinci or Thomas Edison ?
• How are the Chinese and American economies similar and different?
• Why was communism unsuccessful in so many countries?
• In what ways do video games affect children and teenagers?

923 Comments

I like using this website when I assist kids with learning as a lot of these topics are quickly covered in the school systems. Thankyou

Mackenah Nicole Molina

Wow! I always have trouble deiciding what to do a research project on but this list has totally solved that. Now my only problem is choosing what idea on this list I should do first!

Most of these my teacher rejected because apparently ‘these aren’t grade level topics, and I doubt they interest you”

I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you will have a potentially valuable character-building experience in the short-term.

Edwin Augusto Galindo Cuba

THIS SITE IS AWESOME, THERE ARE LOTS OF TOPICS TO LEARN AND MASTER OUR SKILLS!

research kid

I need one about animals, please. I have been challenged to a animal research project, Due Friday. I have no clue what to research! somebody help, thanks for reading!

You can do one on bats

For international studies you can do Defense and Security.

This was very helpful.

Research on Ben Franklin? I think THAT will get a real charge out of everyone (hehehehegetit)

Mandy Maher

“Is it possible to colonize Mars?”

maddy burney

these are silly topics

thx for making this real.

more gaming questions!!!!!!

Is it still considered stealing if you don’t get caught?

Yes, yes it is still considered stealing.

I need topics on memes

Mary Nnamani

Please I need project topics on Language Literature

Marcella Vallarino

I would appreciate a list of survey questions for middle school grades 6-8

I need a research topics about public sector management

I NEED FIVE EXAMPLES EACH ON QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH (EDUCATION, HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY AND ENGINEERING)

publish research that are interesting please……

hey can you do one on the burmiueda triangle

Anybody know video games effect kids,and,teens. There Fun!!

they’re

I need a topic about woman history if any of u can find 1 please that would be great!

You could research about the history of the astronauts, and of human past (WWI, WWII, etc.)

so about women? Manitoba Women Win the Right to Vote in Municipal Elections, The First Women, January 23, 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to graduate from medical school and become a doctor in the United States, Rosa Parks Civil Rights Equal Pay. I have way more. so if you need more just ask.

communism is good

what are you a communist?!?!

Did FDR know about the upcoming attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 DEC 1941.

do you know how babies are born

Christine Singu

kindly assist with a research topic in the field of accounting or auditing

need more about US army

Please can yiu give me a topic in education

I think one should be how can music/Video games can affect the life for people

or How Do Video Games Affect Teenagers?

zimbabwe leader

I think a good topic is supporting the confederate flag!

Need a research topic within the context of students union government and dues payments

do more weird ones plz

joyce alcantara

Hi pls po can you give me a topic relate for humanities pls thank u.

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Research Skills Worksheets

This is a vital skill to any job or project worth having in the real world. We expect to see the concept and process of research being emphasized much more in education at all levels.

In just about any job having solid and actionable research skills make the different between being a leader and being a follower. Researching skills are now more needed than ever with all the media that we constantly and involuntarily taking in. What is real and what is fake? If you can use your skills to find out the truth, you will be in high demand in the future. These worksheets will help develop those research skills for all your students.

Answering Research Focused Questions - This is a great exercise to dive into with your students before you start working on full blown projects.

Conflicting Information - How do you weigh which is a better source? We focus ourselves on validating sources and differentiating between them.

Conflicting Viewpoints - We explore how to completely avoid this when are creating your own work.

Gather Relevant Search Information - A great section to learn how to develop a set of background information and see what has already been explored with your topic.

Grade 3 Research Projects - A good time to get your feet wet with the basics.

Grade 4 Research Projects - The focus here is on planning.

Grade 5 Research Projects - We start asking students to examine a great deal more material.

Grade 6 Research Skills - This is the first time that we are letting students completely loose on the entire project.

Grade 8 Research Projects - There is a fold over between this series and grade 7 work. This is where students begin to take flight with the topic.

Grade 9 Research Projects - These are full on projects at the high school level that we ask students to get after.

Experiential Writing - This form of writing finds itself being monumentally helpful when we are exploring the results and discussion section.

MLA Citations - This is one of the most popular forms of listed and stating the resources that were used. We explain it in entirety.

Shared Research Writing Projects - These are done by complete group and each of the participants has their own distinct set of tasks.

Shared Research and Writing Projects (Kindergarten) - These are very basic in nature and are great for getting into the spirit of inquiry.

Sorting Evidence When Writing - It is all about determining which of the facts speaks volumes to support your thesis.

Technology Assisted Writing - A must for when you are composing your final product. Yes, some people still handwrite their first draft.

Using Dictionaries and Glossaries - When you run into terms that you may be unfamiliar with. We explore the quickest method for using these tools.

Using Evidence to Support Claims - We explore how to heighten your argument so that it is practically a no brainer.

Using Multiple Sources For Writing - Where do you get them and how do you cite them?

Using Reference Tools to Find Answers - Take some time to scrutinize all the different tools that you have at your disposal.

Using Text and Search Features - This is helpful for when you are looking for specific pieces of evidence that you may discount along the way.

Validating Arguments - We approach this from many different angles and give you time to get after it.

Writing a Research Paper - We help you put it all together in this comprehensive section.

How to Improve Your Research Skills

At some point in your academic life, you will be asked to investigate and probe a specific topic. Good research skills will make your article stand out. Here are some tips that will help you in improving your investigation skills.

Ask Good Questions

This is the most important tip to improve your research skills. This is because you should be well aware of what you want to delve into before you start. You should ask yourself plenty of questions like what are you expecting out of this inquisition process. What is it exactly that you want to prove? What knowledge do you want to share? What field interests you? What sources you will opt for? All of these questions will give you a clear direction for your research. You can do it better once you are sure of what you want to do.

Think Carefully About the Sources

Research is all about providing information and knowledge on different aspects of several fields of study. When you are beginning the process, you should pay attention to the sources. This is because the sources will decide the quality of your work. Give yourself plenty of time to find out the best sources that are available. This is a big mistake that many people make, they are not patient to look at all possible sources. They should not be biased or outdated. You should also confirm the information that you get from one source. All of your information should be completely accurate.

There will be many times through out your life that you will be exploring something that is new to you. As time goes on, you will learn how to compile a great many different sources. This means that you will be getting plenty of information that you will need to sift through. To avoid getting overwhelmed with all the information, you can organize all of it. If most of your research is on the Internet, you can use bookmarks and folders to organize the data. You can also get them printed if you like things to be right in front of you.

Ideas for Middle School Projects

Middle school is the most important phase of a student's academic life since the knowledge gained during this academic year will help the student throughout high school as well as in his or her professional life. Therefore, students must work hard during this grade to be successful in their future prospects. For most of the students, eighth grade is that first academic year where they are asked to do a research project. Eighth graders encounter a little difficulty in choosing a good starting topic that is informative as well as easy. One thing that eighth-graders must keep in mind while choosing a topic is that the topic must be of their interest so that they can enjoy working on it.

Given below are some basic ideas that will help the eighth-graders in choosing a research idea that is easy and informative:

Evaluation of Languages

To do an investigative project regarding the origin and evaluation of languages is one of the best and enjoyable topics. Middle school students can include formation, history, development, and phases of their development while focusing on either their native language or any other foreign language. This idea, chosen as research project, will help the middle school students to enjoy their research project alongside learning something useful.

Literary Writers' Contributions Towards Languages

Literary writers play a vital role in the development of any language. Middle school students can highlight the contributions to any of the languages by their respective literary writers in their research project. This topic is appreciated by the literature teachers as it is a combination of two topics: personalities and evaluation of language.

Impact of Media On Language

After scholars the media, either print or electronic, also has a significant impact on the development of any language. As media is quickly changing the ways of communication, students can look in on those ways and can include them in their end projects.

How to Gather Relevant Search Information (For Research Papers)

Writing a good research paper requires a writer to gather a lot of relevant data and read it carefully to use it as a guide for his or her project as well as to be able to quote the relevant information from the published works in the paper being written to substantiate it. However, collecting the right amount and nature of data that suits our research work is not an easy task. Most of the students fail badly in their field work because of their inability to gather relevant and useful information for their topic of interest.

Here are a few tips for such students that can help them find the most relevant information for their chosen topic:

Write Your Requirements Clearly and Briefly

Searching for the relevant data on the web must be done by entering a clear command into the browser. Add precise phrases and ideas so that you can get the most relevant thoughts through to your audience. To do this, you first need to be very clear about the idea you are doing your investigation on and the relevant data you want. Once you are clear on your idea, try to search for the relevant data using the keywords search method and make sure the phrases you add in the search bar are short and clear too.

Go Through the Specific Journals

Successful research writers get published in various journals depending upon the topic they have written on and the specific niche of their study. Try to find the journal that is well known for the publications related to your topic of interest and search for your requirements in those journals.

Search for Specific Researchers

Know the most famous researchers in your field who keep on getting their works published and try to search for their papers to get accurate results.

Steps of a Research Project

A research project is an academic piece of writing the students are bound to submit and clear with good grades within the given deadline. It is based on its writer's knowledge base on a particular topic. Given below are few important steps of a research project that will help the researcher to come up with a good enquiry project easily:

Select a Good Topic

While choosing a topic, one should select a topic that is according to his or her interest so that he or she can enjoy working on it. Secondly, the selected topic should be informative and a good quantity of information, data, and facts must be gathered related to it so one can use them to come up with a good body of work.

Develop Background Information

Once you have selected your topic of research, develop background information about that topic to broaden your knowledge and to have a better understanding of information that can be added in your research.

Develop a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement provides a clear idea about the research project. The background information you have gained will help you to come up with a good thesis statement. The thesis statement will guide you throughout your project and will help you to stay focused during your investigation therefore, it must be very clear and well-written.

Create a Rough Draft

Do the preliminary research and come up with a rough draft. Include only the necessary information that will support your topic.

Write Your Paper

After organizing the information in the rough draft, start writing your paper properly. Remember to write it in an appropriate format, use strong academic language, correctly punctuate it and follow all the rules of grammar.

Add References

An important part of the research project is proper referencing and citations. Remember to cite the resources you have used over the course of your writing at the end of your project. Use APA or MLA format to cite resources.

How to Answer Research Focused Questions?

As the students grow up and reach their higher-level educational years, the focus of teacher's shifts from the course books and related material to research activities. Answering research-focused questions at that time becomes a great issue for the students who are not taught the ways to do so before. Simply defined, the research focused questions are the questions that are based on some work done by other scholars and the students have to either read those whole researches or try finding the direct answers to those questions over the internet. Some basic steps to follow to answer such questions are as follows:

Understand the Question

Being clear on the question you are being asked is the first step to answering a research-focused question correctly. You must be able to understand where the question came from, what type of previous work can be read to find out the answers to it, and what it exactly and precisely means. Once you are all clear about the question, only then you can answer it right and effectively.

Search the Internet

Most of the times, the specific research paper that has the answer to the questions given are known by the students. However, in cases otherwise, the students have to search the web using focused keywords and precise queries to know their answers. It is better to add a search query that is short but clear so that you have the answers to the questions easily.

Read the Paper and Write Your Answers

If you have got a lot of time, you should read the complete paper yourself and answer your questions. However, in case you do not have enough time, you can simply read an abstract to find the answers to the question and write your answer precisely and in an informative way.

Tips for Preparing Research Papers

A research paper is a text in academic writing that includes both theoretical and factual data. Writing a research paper might seem like a tiring exercise but it becomes easy overtime and with practice. Many students do not have enough knowledge regarding preparing a presentable research paper. Given below are some important tips that will help one to write efficient research papers easily:

Selecting a Topic

To prepare a research paper, it is very important to first select a topic that is of your accord or interest. Choosing an interesting and informative topic to conduct a research on is very helpful. It is enjoyable for one to research on the topic that is according to his or her interest.

Collecting Reliable Sources

Before beginning to write the main body of the research paper, it is advised to collect all the information, facts, figures, and other proven statistics. Collecting information before writing a research paper helps one to stay focused while writing the paper.

Writing a Rough Draft

After collecting all the necessary information, start writing a rough draft. Introduce all the ideas you want to include in the final research paper. Do care for the grammar, spellings, and punctuation marks even if it is only a rough draft because it will serve as the basis for your final paper.

Writing Main Body

During this stage, one organizes the ideas according to some sequence. Rewrite the rough draft, following the rules of grammar, using correct spellings, and punctuation marks. Also, remember to add the references of the sources used in the research paper.

Before submitting the research paper, remember to read it completely. Recheck your paper for grammatical errors, spelling errors and other literary elements. Ask an honest friend to read your paper and ask for his or her advice regarding how to further improve the document.

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