Define Your Topic
When you first begin your research, it is helpful to search for background information surrounding your topic. Doing background research can help you identify keywords that might help you in your search.
Brainstorm Ideas
- What do you find interesting?
- Must be relevant to assignment.
- Avoid topics that are too broad or narrow.
Take Concepts from the Assignment
Example of a prompt from an assignment:
"We each belong to many communities (a neighborhood, a club, aficionados of an activity, an organization, a faith group, etc). Communities often run into various problems that prevent them from functioning smoothly to maintain their goals. WP#3 asks you to identify a problem within a community you belong to, persuade your reader that there is a problem, and then pose a potential solution to it."
- five credible sources
- at least one scholarly source
- MLA format
Take Concepts from Background Information
- What do you find interesting?
- What terms do you need to know to better understand the issue?
- Who is affected by the issue?
- What are the main controversies?
- Who are the key figures and organizations?
- What significant events have there been regarding the topic?
Ask a Research Question
- How does limited public transportation affect access to employment opportunities for low-income residents in urban and rural communities?
Gather Your Keywords
- public transportation access
- transit equity
- transportation justice
- mobility inequality
- transit deserts
- low-income communities transportation
- urban transit accessibility
- social equity in transportation
Once you have an idea of some key ideas related to your area of research, you are ready to start searching!
