From Idea to Inquiry: Transforming Topics into Research Questions

Preliminary research is a crucial step in transitioning from topic selection to generating a research question. Here’s how it works:

Steps in Preliminary Research

1. Exploring the Topic:

• Broad Reading: Start by reading broadly about your chosen topic to understand the general landscape. This includes textbooks, review articles, and reputable websites.

• Identifying Key Concepts: Note key concepts, terms, and ideas that frequently appear in your reading.

2. Literature Review:

• Academic Databases: Use academic databases like JSTOR, Academic Search Complete, or Google Scholar to find scholarly articles related to your topic.

• Current Research: Identify recent studies to understand the current state of research and any emerging trends or gaps.

3. Narrowing the Focus:

• Specific Areas of Interest: Based on your reading, narrow down to specific areas that intrigue you or where you see a gap in the research.

• Feasibility Check: Ensure that the narrowed focus is feasible in terms of available resources, time, and scope.

4. Identifying Gaps and Questions:

• Unanswered Questions: Look for questions that remain unanswered in the literature. These gaps can often form the basis of your research question.

• Theoretical and Practical Relevance: Consider both theoretical significance and practical implications of potential research questions.

What is OneSearch?

OneSearch is a "discovery tool" which searches multiple databases at the same time to help you find books, articles, music, and more. A default search in OneSearch searches content in Worldcat, Academic Search Complete, and ProQuest Research Library.