Getting Started and Choosing a Topic

International Relations home > Getting Started and Choosing a Topic

• Defining the Assignment
• What Makes a Good Topic?
• How do I Narrow or Broaden My Topic

Research is a process which begins with an information need and ends once the need is met and information is presented. This guide walks you through the research process, from finding background information and current research articles, to using the Internet for research, to evaluating and citing your sources.

Always document each step of your research! When you find a book, be sure to write down the author, title, place and date of publication. You'll need this information to cite the book later. If you find magazine or journal articles in a database, write down that citation information as well -- see the section on citing online articles for more information. It may also be helpful to write down the name of the database(s) you were using, in case you need to revisit a search later.

Defining the Assignment

Whether you're writing a paper for a class or working on a group presentation, you need to have a clear understanding of the assignment and what is expected of you. Remember that your instructor is always your best resource if you have questions about your assignment, or about the kinds of sources you're expected to use. To help you get started, begin by asking yourself the questions listed below. Your answers will set the direction for your next steps.

1. What type of information do I need? (statistics, background, survey data...)
2. How much information do I need? (two good sources for a brief speech, a thorough literature review for my thesis...)
3. How soon do I need it? (is the paper due tomorrow or at the end of the term?)
4. Where do I expect to find the information? (books, articles, the Web, I have no idea...)
5. How will I present the information? (in a research paper, speech, class presentation...)

What Makes a Good Topic?

Different people may have different ideas about what makes a good topic. Your instructor may want you to tackle a research area currently in the news. You may prefer to explore historical events. In general, a good topic may address these practical issues:

1. Does it fit the requirements for the paper or assignment? It's always wise to get your instructor's approval before you spend a lot of time on something that won't be acceptable.

2. Are there enough resources available on the topic? This question especially applies to projects requiring library research. Do a quick check of the following to determine if you will have enough material to work with:
   1. Library catalog. The library's catalog for books on your topic. How many books are available? Are there recently published books that will provide the most up-to-date review of the research on the topic?
   2. Databases. Databases are excellent sources of current research on a topic, especially research found in specialized journals in the field. Do some quick searches in one or more databases that cover the subject area well.
   3. Literature Reviews. Articles which review the significant research in an area are called literature reviews. They are excellent places to start your research. Try checking bibliographies in current books or research articles on the topic to find literature reviews.

3. Is it an important and worthwhile topic? This factor is very important at the senior and graduate level where your thesis may be part of a larger research project in the department.

4. Are you interested in the topic? If you have a choice, find a subject that interests you. It's hard to get motivated if you don't care about what you are doing. Think about choosing a topic that will help you gain expertise in an area that will be useful in the future.

How do I Narrow or Broaden My Topic?

Many people have trouble taking a broad topic and narrowing it down to something more manageable. One of our favorite techniques for fine-tuning a topic is to use the formula traditionally employed by newspaper reporters--Who?-What?-Where?-When?-Why?

What if you find that your topic seems too narrow? You can use the same technique as discussed above to find ways to broaden your scope. For example, the narrow topic of mental health issues of women refugees from the Sudan could be broadened to health care issues of refugee families in Arica. A current issue may have parallels to historical events. Military occupation in Iraq could be compared and contrasted with previous military occupations in Japan or Germany after World War II. To broaden a topic, think of "analogous" or similar elements that could be added to your discussion.