1. How to Narrow a Research Topic

2. Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders
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 make it narrower (more specific).

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

4. When? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Timeframes
How to Narrow a Research Topic
When?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Timeframes
Current or historical view
NEW TOPIC:
Bulimia in middle- aged females
Period of life

5. Where? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Places How to Narrow a Research Topic
States
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in Australian women
Regions
Countries

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

7. 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.
Some examples:
Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes
Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States
Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present.