YOUR RESEARCH PAPERSelecting a topic

Objective

• Examine a broad research topic

• Learn limiting techniques

• Narrow to an interesting research question

• Successfully locate quality articles

First

Think about the topic

What interests you about the subject? What aggravates you about it?

Is it really true that…

Is there something you want to know about the topic?

It is much easier to write about something you care about!

Second

Write down some keywords

Use the guidelines from instructor

dates, databases, peer reviewed, pages

This information will help you narrow your topic.

Third Decide where to look for articles

Databases

• subscriptions• reviewed & evaluated• dated material• corresponds to print• indexed

Search Engines

• free to most• anyone can publish• not organized• commercial• challenging to replicate

search

FourthSelect a database

Academic Search Premier• Choose databases• Try keywords• Select a field• Check for full text• Limit by date• Limit by pages

Fifth – Have fun!• Continually refine your search• Switch keywords• Try a different databases• Use your critical thinking skills• Success is locating an article you can use