The Research Process - Topic Selection

After enjoying an overview of your subject, formulate a main idea or topic. Pose this topic in the form of a question that you will answer during the course of your research. See the example to the right.

While pondering the question to be answered by the paper or production, consider the breath and depth of your project. In other words, make sure:

• the topic is not too narrow (Ex: How does traffic congestion disturb the habitat of the buffalo in Yellowstone?)
• ....nor too broad (Ex: What are the internal and external conditions which threaten National Parks around the world?)
• A discussion of the topic will match a pre-determined page amount or limit; and
• Adequate resources are available and accessible.