How to Narrow a Research Topic

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Define the word broad? What do you think happens if you are researching and your topic is too broad?

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to narrow it down. (more specific).

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Who? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Populations Age Gender Race or Ethnicity NEW TOPIC: Eating disorders in elderly females

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic What? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Types Anorexia Bulimia Compulsive eating NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in elderly females

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic When? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Timeframes Current or historical view Period of life NEW TOPIC: Bulimia in middle- aged females

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Where? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Places States Regions Countries NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in Australian women

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Why? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Evaluate Causes Treatments Outcomes NEW TOPIC: Successful methods for treatment of compulsive eating

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic The Desert The desert is a lot to write about. What part of the desert am I interested in? And what would my audience find interesting? I have always found those large cacti very interesting. Perhaps I could write about Saguaros in the desert- large cacti.

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Your turn! Narrow these topics-- remember to think about who, what, when,where and why when narrowing your topic: Space Insects Presidents The Ocean

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Your turn! Narrow these topics even more: Space—astronauts— Insects—butterflies— Presidents-Lincoln- Ocean- shipwrecks--

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Let’s practice on our own Rank the following topics from general to the narrow- 1 being general and 4 being narrow. __ huskies in Alaska __ dogs __ huskies __ baby huskies training to be sled dogs in Alaska ___baby huskies in Alaska

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Let’s practice on our own Rank the following topics from general to the narrow- 1 being general and 4 being narrow. __ tests in middle school __ education __ middle school __ female TCAP scores ___female test scores