How can I find a topic for my research report? Suggested process

Brainstorming Procedure Divide into groups of 4-5 people. Aim: To help each person to arrive at possible research topics, and eventually thesis statements. To get started, I will give you some questions to think about and discuss.

Make notes of possible research areas for you. THEN Form NEW GROUPS, and share/discuss/comment on the areas that each member is interested in OUTCOME: You shuld have 2-4 research areas/topics that you would like to research.

Questions to think about What topic areas/issues in the current business environment interest / annoy / surprise … me? Which of them are controversial, or contain controversial issues? Which do I know most about?

Note! Your eventual goal in the AR is not simply to vent your feelings on an issue but to support your views with valid information. So, steer clear of topics that are highly charged with emotion, or too complicated to be dealt with in a short essay

Thesis statement: A claim made about your topic

Your topic / thesis / claim must be… Debatable ie a claim on which not all agree Narrow / focused ie specific in detail Supportable by evidence ie not emotional Somehow new, surprising, controversial, interesting ...

Are these claims debatable, narrow/focused, supportable by evidence – new, interesting? a) Pollution is bad for the environment. b) At least 25 percent of the government budget should be spent on limiting pollution. c) Anti-pollution efforts should focus on privately owned cars.

Are these claims debatable, narrow/focused, supportable by evidence – new, interesting? d) Instead of drilling for new oil we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources. e) Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today.

Are these claims debatable, narrow/focused, supportable by evidence – new, interesting? f) Anti-pollution efforts should focus on privately owned cars because it would allow most citizens to contribute to national efforts and care about the outcome. g) At least 25 percent of the budget should be spent on helping upgrade businesses to clean technologies, researching renewable energy sources, and planting more trees in order to control or eliminate pollution

h) Drug use is bad for society. i) Illegal drug use is detrimental because it encourages gang violence.

SO... To convert your topic area into a thesis statement ... Start identifying relevant problems Ask questions that your audience might ask Look for suggested solutions / Answers – Rebuttals – New Problems…

Take a provisional stand on the issue, on the basis of what you already know / value. Then … Try to write a one sentence thesis statement. (CLAIM) Be as precise as possible

Your thesis statement develops as you read about your topic For example: The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.

OR... While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

Keep asking questions like … So what? Why? What do you mean by ‘…’? How? Do ALL … (do that)…? Does (it) ALWAYS happen?