Now that you have analyzed your assignment sheet for requirements, it is time to start thinking about what you will be researching. When selecting your topic, remember to keep in mind the requirements of the assignment. Selecting a Preliminary Topic will give you ideas on how to find a topic, tell you about topics that have been done in the past, and discuss the pitfalls of some common types of topics.
Most students start a research assignment with a topic that is too broad.
If your topic is too broad, you will find way too much information and have trouble sorting through it all. To avoid this problem, try to pinpoint a particular research question or aspect of your topic. Selecting a Focus or Research Question provides suggestions to help you select a focus. Before you can start searching for materials on your topic, you need to figure out which subject area or discipline would be studying your topic. Libraries are also arranged by subjects using a classification system such as the Dewey Decimal System.