If the topic you've chosen doesn't interest you, it's going to be a loooong research project. Pick a topic that matters to you or that you find inherently interesting. Follow your curiousity's lead.
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Choosing a topic is one of the most challenging steps in the research process. A good topic will have been explored by other researchers, but not fully exhausted. There should still be some unanswered questions left to explore. Read on for some suggestions for picking a good topic.
Make sure you know your instructor's expectations. If the assignment is unclear to you, ask for clarification. Your professor might also be able to suggest a research topic. She'll probably choose something of interest to her, so make sure that's also a topic that holds your interest.
Review your textbook, lecture notes and recollections of class discussions. Did your classmates or instructor bring up an interesting point that you'd like to explore?
Do some broad reading on a topic you think may interest you. This is where reference books, newspapers, magazines and even Wikipedia come in handy. The idea is to familiarize yourself with key issues or areas of exploration.
Think about topics that are relevant to your life and to society at large. Keep your eyes and ears open for important issues going on around you. What are the topics that you feel strongly about? What areas of expertise can you bring to the table?
The following resources can help you get started with choosing a topic:
Access World News - This database contains newspaper and magazine articles from over 6,000 publications. Try browsing some news stories to find a topic that piques your interest.
JSTOR - Here, you will find articles on a full range of topics to help get you started. Try browsing my discipline.
Ref Tools - The library has compiled a list of reference tools that you can use to find background information on a wide range of topics. These encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and other materials can be accessed right from your computer.
Choosing a topic - Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) has developed a guide for understanding your assignment and choosing a topic.
Develop a research topic - Sonoma State University has created an interactive tutorial with strategies on how to choose a research topic.