It is very typical for students to set off on a research topic, only to find out that the topic they've chosen is too broad. If you’re lucky, you’ll find out before you conduct too much research, because much of the research you carry out in the beginning will be useless once you finally do narrow your topic.
It is a good idea to run your initial research idea by a teacher or librarian to get an expert opinion. He or she will save you some time and give you some tips on narrowing the scope of your topic.
How Will You Know If Your Topic Is Too Broad?
If you find yourself in the library staring at a shelf full of books that could work as references for your topic, your topic is too broad. A good topic addresses a specific question or problem.
If your topic can be summed up in a word or two, like smoking, school cheating, education, overweight teens, corporeal punishment, Korean War, or hip hop, it is too broad.
If you have trouble coming up with a thesis statement, your topic is probably too broad.
A good research project must be narrowed down in order to be meaningful and manageable.
How to Narrow Your Topic
The best way to narrow your topic is to apply a few of the old familiar question words, like who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- Paddling.
- Paddling in grade school. (where)
- Emotional effects of paddling in grade school. (what and where)
- Emotional effects of paddling on female children (what, who)
- Hip hop.
- Hip hop as therapy. (what)
- Hip hop as therapy in Japan. (what and where)
- Hip hop as therapy for delinquent youth in Japan. (what, where, who)
Eventually you will see that the process of narrowing your research topic actually makes your project more interesting. Already, you’re one step closer to a better grade!
