Is your topic too narrow?
If you are not finding enough information, your topic may be too narrow. Consider broadening it by:
- Exploring related issues
- Comparing or contrasting the topic with another topic
- Choosing an alternative topic that is not so recent -- it may not be covered in books and journal articles yet
- Considering the time period covered
- Broadening the population considered
- Expanding the geographic area discussed
- Choosing an alternative topic that is not so popular -- it may be covered in popular magazines and tabloids only
Is your topic too broad?
Narrowing a topic requires you to be more specific about your research interest and can help you to develop a thesis.
Questions to narrow your topic
- Who? Who is the specific person/group to which you would like to limit your research?
- What? What specific aspect of the broad topic idea is interesting to you?
- Where? To which specific geographic area or region would you like to limit your research?
- When? On what time period would you like your research focused?
- Why? Why do you think this is an important/interesting topic?
What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis is typically a one sentence statement in the first paragraph, or beginning, of your project that states your purpose. Thesis statements should be arguable, specific, detailed, and meaningful.
Examples:
Broad Topic: Global warming
Narrower Topic: How will climate change impact sea levels and the coastal United States?
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Narrow Topic: Does cartoon viewing cause violent behaviors in children under the age of five?
Broader Topic: What are the negative effects of television viewing on children and adolescents?
