Begin your research project by choosing a topic, writing a thesis statement, and identifying the key concepts in that topic.

• Choosing a Topic

Whether you can choose any topic or you must select one from an assigned list of topics, pick something that interests you. You may want to do some background reading on a couple of topics before you make a final decision. If you don't know much about the topics you're considering, general encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopaedia Britannica can give you the basics.

You should also think about how long the paper (or speech or presentation) must be and how much time you have to complete your research. A five-page paper or a ten-minute presentation is too brief to effectively cover topics like impressionist art or the human genome project; Mary Cassatt's portraits of children, or an argument in favor of (or opposed to) cloning would be more manageable topics. If you only have one or two weeks to find the information you need and write your paper, you'll probably need to use information from books and articles in our Libraries. If you have more time, you can get materials we don't own from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan.
 

• Writing a Thesis Statement

Once you have an idea for your topic, write it out as a thesis statement or a research question.

Here are some examples that state clear information needs.
 

• I need to find information on different kinds of calendars.
• I need to find information on the effects of television violence on preschool age children.
• I need to find information on how fashion trends reflect the state of the economy.
• I need to find information on Chicago architecture.

If you need to find information for a research paper, restate your information need in the form of a research question to focus your efforts.  The following research question is based on the second information need above:
 

• Does television violence have an effect on preschool age children?

A research question which suggests a point of view you want to pursue might be worded as follows:
 

• Does television violence have a negative effect on preschool age children?

Once you have enough information to begin to answer to your research question, you will be ready to make a thesis statement. Here are some thesis statements that might provide the basis for a paper or presentation that answers the research question above.
 

• Young children who regularly view violence on television grow into violent adults.
• Viewing television violence has no effect on young children.
• Viewing violence on television has a more detrimental effect on young children than does viewing sexual situations.
   
• Identifying the Key Concepts

Then identify the key concepts and any synonyms or alternative terms for those concepts. Here is an example.

Topic: Does television violence have a negative effect on preschool age children?
Key concepts: television, violence, preschool children
Synonyms and alternate terms: TV, kindergarten, nursery school, toddlers

You will use these key concepts as you look for information on your topic; they will be especially important when you develop a search statement to use with databases.

Need more help?

When you need help on your research project, talk to your professor, stop by the Reference Desk at one of the Libraries, make an appointment to talk with a Reference Librarian, or talk with someone in the Writing Resource Center on your campus.