1. How to Narrow a Research Topic

2. How to Narrow a Research Topic
When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions:
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

3. How to Narrow a Research Topic
Subject Area: Psychology
Let’s see how this works with a topic of: eating disorders
This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper.
We need to make it narrower (more specific).

4. How to Narrow a Research Topic
Who?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Populations
Age
NEW TOPIC:
Eating disorders in elderly females
Gender
Race or Ethnicity

5. How to Narrow a Research Topic
What?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Types
Anorexia
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in elderly females
Bulimia
Compulsive eating

6. How to Narrow a Research Topic
When?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Timeframes
Current or historical view
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in elderly females in the 1990’s
Period of life

7. How to Narrow a Research Topic
Where?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Places
States
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in elderly American women in the 1990’s
Regions
Countries

8. How to Narrow a Research Topic
Why?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Evaluate
Causes
NEW TOPIC:
Successful methods for treatment of anorexia
Treatments
Outcomes

9. 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 research question.
Some examples:
What are the most significant causes of Anorexia in elderly American women?
What are the most effective treatments for elderly women who suffer from Anorexia?
To what degree was the media responsible for the prevalence of Anorexia in elderly females in the 1990’s, and how has that changed since the 1970’s and 1980’s in US?
To what extent does the type of sport affect the predilection to eating disorders in the girls’ college athletic arena?
What are the prevalent causes and most effective treatments for bulimia in teen-age males in the United States?
What have been the most effective changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters from 1950-present, and how has that affected obesity rate?
Should eating disorders be classified as primarily psychological or medical disorders?