Narrowing a Research Topic

So, you've chosen a research topic;however, as you begin to research the material, you realize the topic is way too broad. There is no need to worry. This happens to seasoned writers and researchers all the time, and it also shows your awareness about the topic when you can tell its scope is too wide. Where your research capabilities begin to shine and show your wealth as a scholar is when you begin to narrow this river-wide topic into manageable and tightly focused nugget of information.

Most teachers and professors compare this process to peeling back the layers of an onion. I don't like the analogy for two reasons: 1) onions stink; and 2) onions often make people cry. I like to compare the process of whittling down your topic to finding a diamond. You have this chunk of black, craggy, smelly coal, and as you chip away and wear down the slag and crap, what you're left with is a bright shiny diamond. And, who doesn't like diamonds?

When narrowing down topics, I like to walk my students through a practice which teaches them meta-thought analysis and higher levels of critical thinking. If you're not sure what meta-thought means, here is the best definition. Meta-thought is simply thinking about what you are thinking about and why. So, lets use the example I often use in class.

I ask a random student, "How are you feeling," and the typical answer is, "I'm sleepy." When taken at face value, with all the time commitments added to your busy college life, this is often a feeling everyone in the classroom is experiencing. But, where this can become a usual exercise in teaching meta-thought processes, I lead the student through a series of questions.

1. Why are you sleepy? Typical answers range from I had homework last night, my roommate comes in and out at all times of the night, or we had a party to go to. All good answers, because they all leave room for more elucidation.
2. Why did you have too much homework last night? The most common answer is I put it off until the last minute.
3. Why did you put it off until the last minute? Answers range from I didn't think it would be too hard to, again, we had a party to go to over the weekend. Hey, it is college life, right?

This exercise, although seemingly simple and childish, teaches you to look deeper into your answers; helps you learn how to write and think more concisely; and teaches you, in essence, how to question yourself before blurting out the quite obvious. So, how does this apply to narrowing your research topic? Let's use alternative energy as our research topic.

1. What do I want to say about this topic?
2. Are there multiple types of alternative energy?
3. If so, are there more favored alternative energy sources over others?
4. What are the current trends in research concerning alternative energy sources?
5. What do the experts say about alternative energy?
6. Is there controversy surrounding alternative energy?

As you ask yourself these questions, others will arise, but this will help you focus and get closer to what it is you want to say. In essence, the questions boil down to this:

1. What do I want to say?
2. Are their multiple topics within the overarching topic?
3. Does one of the various topics seem to have more interest within the field of study by the experts?
4. What are the current trends in the topic's research field?
5. Do researchers vary in their opinions?
6. What are public receptions to policy, ethical, or moral standards and the applied research?

After asking yourself most of these questions, you will be closer to honing in on your paper. But, you're still a long way from writing. You still need a written review of the literature and the sources to help you write. We'll cover those later, but for now, you should be asking yourself the above questions and making sure your holding a diamond rather than a pile of black smelly stuff or a tear-inducing onion.