how to find a research topic

Curiosity: brainstorming and finding a research topic.

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What is a college-level research paper?

"Honestly I don't know."


Trends in your responses:● It is longer and more in depth than a HS

paper.● It is more analytical and thesis driven than

a HS paper.● It draws from a variety of sources, both

primary and secondary.● It is centered on a specific, "dense" topic.


"A college-level research paper involves utilizing all the resources available to the student. At Windward we are usually told where to look for information and 'directed' on the right track for information. In college you are on your own."


"A college level research paper usually will add a new, creative idea to a topic. It includes a well thought out thesis with a specific question that can be easily researched."


"A college-level research paper is much longer and much more detailed than a normal paper at Windward. Also, it requires more citations and footnotes than other papers."


"It is longer and forces you to incorporate your own ideas with a wide variety of valid sources."

What strategies might you use to choose a research topic?


Talk to people:

"First, ask my parents and family members. Research some of their ideas that i thought were good."

"I am not sure how I am going to choose my topic, but I assume that I will be interested in a topic that comes up in a conversation in class."


Consider your interests:

"1 step: find something that's wholly stimulating."

"I would try and remember what sparked my interested in past history courses or in current events. Then I might do some background research on that topic to see if it is a possible subject."


Do background research to determine if the topic will work for you:

"I will choose a broad topic I know I am interested in and then narrow it down based on the availability of resources."

"Think about your interests and do some pre-research. "

Starting Broad, Ending Narrow

Brainstorm as a group:

What are general topic areas that a person might choose to explore in his or her research?

Starting Narrow and Ending Broad

How can you turn a small curiosity into a larger research question?

● Read over the survey responses of your classmates to the last set of questions.

● Highlight responses that resonate with you.● Choose three comments from your highlighted list and

write several questions that stem from that idea.● Share with a group of 3-4 students.

Homework

Freewrite about a few topics that you are considering and why you are considering them. What questions do you have? What about that topic makes you want to find out more?

how to find a research topic

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