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RESEARCH TUTORIAL CONTENTS
Select a Topic
Find Background
Information
Find Books
Find Articles
Find Web Sites
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Sites
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(Turabian)
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The key to success in completing a research topic is to focus your
topic so that it is not too broad or too narrow. A topic that is
too broad will result in too much information that is difficult
to manage. A topic that is too narrow may make it difficult to find
enough information. If you need help focusing your topic, talk about
it with your instructor and/or a librarian. Here are some tips:
Narrowing a Broad Topic
You can narrow your topic by any of the following methods:
- Focus on a particular issue
- Focus on a particular perspective
- Focus on how the issue affects a particular group of people
- Limit it by a specific time period
- Limit it by geographical are
Examples of Broad Topics with Focusing
| Broad Topic |
Focused Topic |
| Global warming |
Global warming has increased the
number of severe weather incidents, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. |
| Globalization |
Does globalization increase poverty
in the developing nations? |
| Criminal justice |
Should DNA testing be mandatory in
death sentence cases? |
| Eating disorders |
Images of women portrayed in the
mass media contribute to the increase in eating disorders among
young women |
| Agriculture |
Are factory farms harming the environment? |
| Animal rights |
Is the use of animals in research
justified? |
| Energy |
Can nuclear energy provide a safe
alternative to reduce greenhouse gases, such as CO2? |
| Alternative energy |
Are biofuels, such as ethanol from
corn or sugar, economically feasible |
Other Strategies
Consult Specialized Encyclopedias
Specialized encyclopedias and other reference works can provide
background and highlight the key issues for your topic.
Concept Maps
Creating a concept map (also known as a mind map) can help you think
about your topic visually. Click here
for more information.
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