Understanding Research

Research process
Select a topic
Refine a topic
Identify objectives Choose approach
Explore a topic
Plan a search
Evaluate info

Finding Books

Finding Articles

How Do I Refine My Topic?

Once you have a general idea of what you would like to research, then you need to begin to refine your topic. You will most likely narrow down your topic by focusing on one or two aspects of the topic, so that your topic will be manageable in terms of time and amount of research.

Be flexible!You may need to modify your topic during the research process. This is normal and quite common. You never know what you will find in your research until you get started. After doing some research, you may desire or need to focus on a different aspect or perspective of your topic.

Survivor Tip: To refine your topic, try focusing on a specific population, geographic area, time period, cultural perspective, or event of your topic.

Let's now learn the details of refining, or narrowing, a topic.
Next: More on How I Can Refine, or Narrow, My Topic