To select a topic of interest ...
Researching a Topic Worksheet
Step 1. Write down your broad topic idea. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
Step 2. List some of the aspects of your topic you might want to investigate. Below are two different approaches that you might try.
Approach #1: List one or more subtopics you wish to explore.
Subtopic: ______________________________________________________
Subtopic: ______________________________________________________
Subtopic: ______________________________________________________
Approach #2: List possible questions about your topic you might wish your research to focus on: Who? What? Where? Why? When? How? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Step 3. Draft a possible thesis or problem statement. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Step 4. Considering your thesis or problem statement, list as many terms as you can think of which might be useful in a subject or keyword search for materials. Consider synonyms and word variations. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Adapted from Central Michigan University Off-Campus Library Services Literature Review libguide. (n.d.) Researching a topic worksheet.Retrieved from http://ocls.cmich.edu/help/topicsheet.htm