Distance Learning Guide: Research Assistance

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This LibGuide includes the following research-related information:

Narrow Topic from a Broad Topic and Create Research Question

• Think about a broad topic you are interested in.
• Focus on a particular aspect of the topic.
• Narrow down the focused topic.
• Develop a research question from the narrowed down topic.
• Your paper will answer the research question that you develop - search for information to answer your research question.

See example below on how to take a broad topic all the way through a research question:

Types of Research Questions

• Comparison
• What are the differences with juvenile crime rates when looking at both industrialized and non-industrialized societies?
• Cause and Effect
• What are the causes and effects of beach erosion along the Chesapeake Bay?
• Measuring
• How much television do High School students in the honor program wach?

Research Question Criteria

• Open-ended (Cannot answer with a yes or no)
• Addresses and issue
• Able to take a stand on

Important: Narrow your topic for a more interesting & scholarly paper.

Locate Main Concepts

• What are the main concepts in the research question?
• The main concepts are the terms that you search for information with.
• Example: What can the United States do to prevent acid rain?
• Main Concept 1: United States
• Main Concept 2: prevent
• Main Concept 3: acid rain

Keywords & Similar Words

• United States (America, U.S.)
• Prevent (prevention, stop, avert)
• Acid Rain (acid precipitation, air pollution)