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Research Strategies

Manage your research strategy, use databases more effectively, and understand how the library is organized -- it's all here.

About Your Topic:

 

Your research statement contains the major elements of the topic you are investigating. Your first step is to define and gain significant understanding of each term, concept, or theme of your statement.

When you define your research statement you will want to find a balance between choosing a topic that is too broad or too narrow. You may need to reword or change your research focus to accommodate information that is or is not found.

Find Background Information:

 

You will be required to find and use background information when you begin an assignment, research paper, or project. It is essential that you become very familiar with the subject you are researching or when you have not decided upon which area of interest of that topic you want to focus. By consulting the types of sources described in this guide, you can find

  • a brief overview of the topic;
  • definitions of terms and jargon in the field;
  • key names, events, and terms related to the topic that may be used later to find information in the online catalog, periodical databases, or other sources;
  • an introductory, select bibliography (i.e., list of suggested sources by scholars or experts in the field).

Background information expands upon the key points stated in your introduction but is not the main focus of the paper. Sufficient background information helps your reader determine if you have a basic understanding of the research problem being investigated and promotes confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and findings.

Background information provides the reader with the essential context needed to understand the research problem.

Choosing a Topic:

 

Choosing an appropriate topic for a research paper or assignment can tremendously improve your research results, understanding of the sources and topic, and ultimately your marks. There are three common problems you might encounter when conducting research on your topic:

Problem ONE | Too much information

Your topic is probably too broad.  When the topic you choose is too broad, you will quickly become overwhelmed and frustrated with  information overload.  The result is that you will have great difficulty discussing your topic with appropriate focus in the context and scope of your paper.

Examples of too large and unfocused research topics: Energy sources, Software, Addictions, Entrepreneurship

Problem TWO | Not enough information

Your topics is likely too narrow.  When the topic you choose is too narrow or unique, you will experience much difficulty locating information on the topic. Considering the criteria for your assignment, you may not need to narrow your research to a city, province, or country.

Examples: The incidence of asthma in female children living living in Kitchener-Waterloo in the 2000s.

Problem THREE |  Many results when searching the Web; however, you cannot find sources in library databases

Your topic might be too common or popular rather than academic or scholarly, or too recent.  There are many popular topics that make it into academic literature.  If your topics centers on sports figures, rock music, or car models you will find discussion in pop culture and popular press than in academia.  Conversely some topics may be quiet new and researchers may not have conducted research nor  published journal articles or books on the topic . Newspapers and popular magazines may provide some insights or predictions, but depending on the assignment criteria, you may have to refocus your research interest and question.

Exploring a Topic:

 

Take time at the start of your research to explore your topic  through various strategies.  There are many strategies available, here are a few:

  1. Browse your textbook or one you find in the library for broad topic ideas. Consider more than one topic or interest.
  2. Create a Concept . Mindmaps are visual depictions of your current knowledge. Look at gaps and overlaps of information and knowledge.
  3. Use a subject specific encyclopedia article or two. Encyclopedia entries are an excellent overview of topics, and can help to define the scope of your topic and important people who contribute to the subject.
  4. Ask your Librarian to help conduct a literature search. Conduct a search using select keywords in COTR Catalogue and critically review the results list to learn what kind of information has been written on the topic. Searching the literature (journal articles, books, etc) will :
    • give you a fundamental idea of your topic - Is it too broad or too narrow?
    • provide more ideas for where you might focus your research

These strategies will help you set a solid foundation upon which to build your topic. 

NOTE: It is reasonable for your to adjust and shift the focus and scope of your paper.

Define Scope:

 

Following your work to explore your topic and conducting background reading, consider the following criteria to refine and narrow your topic:

  • by geographic region
    • Example: What environmental issues are most important in the East Kootenays, British Columbia?
  • by culture
    • Example: How does the environment fit into Canadian First Nations world view?
  • by time frame 
    • Example: What are the most prominent Canadian environmental issues of the last 10 years?
  • by discipline 
    • Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices today?
  • by population group 
    • Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?