It is important for you to explore your topic to build background knowledge.
As you learn more about your topic, you will develop a strategic approach to the inquiry/research.
You will also be able to start developing a thesis statement.
If you are able to choose your own topic, ask yourself these questions:
Does it meets the requirements of your teacher's assignment?
Do I find it interesting?
It is narrow enough to find a manageable amount of information?
Tips for narrowing a topic:
Look at where it overlaps with other topics
Look at a certain aspect of it
Look at it within a certain time period
Video citation: Sheridan Library. “What Makes a Good Research Topic?” YouTube, 24 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyKC0-PJmtw.
Effective researchers use a strategy of broadening their search for information by identifying key words, concepts, synonyms, and related terms.
You can find these alternative search terms by consulting an overview article in a magazine or encyclopedia, a thesaurus, a dictionary, search engines, and subject headings in the library catalog.
You should start this process as soon as you decide on a topic or research question and continue to build your list throughout your inquiry.
Click on the link for tips on how to write a thesis statement from Purdue.
Encyclopedias are a great place to start when you need to get background information.
Online encyclopedia. Search high school level articles, journals and magazines, the best websites, and multimedia.
Feel free to use these worksheets and graphic organizers to help you along with your research. You can print them out and write on them, or open them up using Kami.