The document provides guidance on selecting a good research topic. It advises conducting preliminary research to ensure there is enough available information and sources to meet the length and reference requirements. Topics should not be too broad, which could result in an overwhelming amount of information, or too narrow, making it difficult to find enough sources. The topic selection should focus on limiting the scope, such as by region, culture, time frame or age group. Asking a series of questions about feasibility, available information and resources, and personal interest can help ensure a workable topic is chosen.

1. Choosing Topics
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2. How to Select a Good Research Topic
The most important part
of conducting any type of
research is to make sure
you are starting with a
workable topic. Selecting
a good topic will guide
you in the research
process.

3. Selection of a good research topic
starts with researching the topic!
• Before you settle on a topic, conduct a little bit of
research.
• You NEED to know:
• Length of your paper
• Number of sources needed as references
• The research will tell you if there are enough
information/sources available to meet those
requirements.

4. A good topic choice must be doable
• Too general or too
broad of a topic:
• Overwhelming amount
of information.
• Would take too long for
the amount of time you
have.
FIX: be more specific
(choose a sub group or
particular factor)
• Too narrow or too
specific:
• You can’t find enough
information on it to
meet requirements for
length or number of
reference sources.
FIX: be more general
(identify what field or
group it belongs to)

5. Focus Your Topic
• Limit it to a geographic region:
• In the United States.
• In the Southeastern U.S.
• Limit it by a particular culture:
• As viewed by Native Americans
• Limit it to a particular time frame:
• In the last 10 years.
• Since World War-II
• Limit it to a particular age group:
• Children

6. Example of too Narrow
• Requirements:
• 10 reference sources from a mix of books and articles
• Length 6 to 8 pages
• The topic you are thinking about writing on:
• The Permian Extinction Event as Evidenced in the State
of Alabama.
• Preliminary Research finds:
• Only 4 articles and no books

7. Ask yourself these questions when
selecting a topic:
1. Is this topic feasible?
2. Can I find enough information on this topic?
3. Is there too much information available?
4. Is it possible to come to some type of conclusion?
5. Do I have access to the resources necessary to complete the
research?
6. Do I have the time to conduct the necessary research to answer the
question or solve the problem presented?
7. Am I interested in this topic and what personal insight do I have with
this topic? (You'll be more eager to begin the research phase if you use a
topic that you already find interesting. You will also find it easier to
paraphrase articles when you already know something about the topic.)

8. Some Other Considerations
• Can I find the full text versions of the articles?
• Are the books checked out that I need?
• Are they at the ASU Library or another local library?
• Can I get it using Interlibray Loan (ILL)?
• Do I have time enough to wait for an ILL delivery?
• If necessary, do I have the money to obtain the
materials I need?
• Are the articles too old or too recent?