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From Idea to Inquiry: Transforming Topics into Research Questions

A step-by-step approach to developing research topics and research questions

Picking a Topic

Picking your topic is research, North Carolina State University Libraries: https://youtu.be/Q0B3Gjlu-1o

Meet Jenny! When you pick your topic, it's not set in stone. Picking and adjusting your topic is an integral part of the research process. Often, when students are tasked with a research assignment, they pick their topic right away. When they sit down to start their research, they sometimes have trouble finding suitable sources. This video reveals that researchers often have to broaden or narrow their approach to choose a topic appropriate in scope. Exploratory research, finding and reading more sources, can help.

One Perfect Source

One Perfect Source?, North Carolina State University Libraries: https://youtu.be/X2VR5adTjeM

Your topic seemed so great! So why can't you find any information on it? If you're looking for an all-in-one source that addresses your topic perfectly, you might need a different approach.

Finding & Using Background Information

Finding & Using Background Information, duPont-Ball Library, Stetson University (2014): https://youtu.be/LytXS3zrK-A

John B & Jane B work together to gather background information for a research paper.

 

Finding Background Information Using Britannica Academic

Finding Background Information Using Britannica Academic, duPont-Ball Library, Stetson University (2020):

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/4306623/sp/430662300/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/48783363/partner_id/4306623?iframeembed=true&playerId=kaltura_player&entry_id=1_1s4l3whm&flashvars

Watch this video and learn how to use Britannica Academic to get background information on a research topic. This video starts on the library's website, and takes you through the various steps to access and navigate Britannica Academic.

Research Process with Niche Academy

Learn how to:

  • Brainstorm research topics

  • Determine if your topic is valid

  • Refine your topic

  • Create a research question

  • Develop strong keywords

     

Learn how to:

  • Define a literature review

  • Explain the purpose of a literature review 

  • Write a literature review