How to Narrow a Research Topic

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office C.H.A.M.P.S Conversation – Level 0 Help – Elbow Partner/Teacher Activity – Annotating Notes Movement – Teacher Permission Participation – Teacher Lead Discussion Success – Annotation of Notes How to Narrow a Research Topic

© 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: Weather This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Who? TOPIC: WEATHER Types State Type Wet or Dry NEW TOPIC: California Weather in the winter

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic What? TOPIC: WEATHER Types Summer Spring Temperatures NEW TOPIC: Summer in California

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic When? TOPIC: WEATHER Timeframes Current or historical view Period of life NEW TOPIC: 1900’s California weather in the Summer

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Where? TOPIC: WEATHER Places States Regions Countries NEW TOPIC: Comparisons of Weather in the winter time between USA and Canada

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Why? TOPIC: WEATHER Evaluate Causes Seasons Outcomes NEW TOPIC: What causes cold temperatures in the winter time

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office C.H.A.M.P.S Conversation – Level 1 Help – Elbow Partner/Teacher Activity – Researching Weather Movement – Teacher Permission Participation – Using tablets and partner discussions Success – Filling out graphic organizer How to Narrow a Research Topic

© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office How to Narrow a Research Topic Mix n’ Match Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research.