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Developing Your Research Question or Topic

This guide provides students with a systematic 7-step process for developing strong research topics, moving from broad interests to focused, answerable questions. It emphasizes topic development as the foundation for successful research

Once you have a broad interest, you need to narrow it down. Think of this as zooming in from a satellite view to street level—you need to find a specific area to explore rather than trying to cover everything.

Narrowing Techniques

Mind Mapping: Put your broad topic in the center of a page and branch out with related subtopics, questions, and specific aspects. Let your ideas flow and see what connections emerge. Start with your main topic, then add branches for different angles, populations, time periods, or contexts. Don't worry about organization at first—just get your ideas down. Look for branches that seem most interesting or promising.

Focused Free Writing: Set a timer for 15 minutes and write continuously about your topic. Don't edit—just explore different angles and let your ideas develop. Write down everything that comes to mind: questions, examples, personal experiences, things you've read. When the timer stops, read through what you wrote and circle the most interesting or specific ideas that emerged.

Ask Reporter's Questions: Apply Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How to your broad topic. Each question can reveal a specific angle worth pursuing:

  • Who: What specific group or population interests you?
  • What: What particular aspect, process, or phenomenon?
  • When: What time period, age range, or developmental stage?
  • Where: What geographic location, setting, or context?
  • Why: What causes, motivations, or underlying factors?
  • How: What methods, processes, or mechanisms?

Add Constraints: Narrow your focus by specifying a particular population, time period, geographic area, or context. These constraints help create manageable scope. For example:

  • Limit by demographics (age, gender, profession, education level)
  • Focus on a specific location (urban vs. rural, particular countries or regions)
  • Define a time frame (current, historical period, before/after an event)
  • Specify a context (workplace, educational, healthcare, online environments)

Use the Funnel Approach: Start with your broad topic and systematically narrow it down level by level. Each level should be more specific than the last:

  • Level 1: General field or area
  • Level 2: Specific aspect within that area
  • Level 3: Particular population or context
  • Level 4: Focused research question

Look for Intersections: Consider where your topic intersects with other fields, current events, or emerging technologies. These crossover points often reveal interesting and under-researched areas. For example, how does your topic relate to digital technology, sustainability, globalization, or social justice issues?

Use Database Filters and Facets: Most academic databases offer filters that can help you narrow your topic systematically. Start with a broad search on your general topic, then use the available filters to see how the research breaks down:

  • Publication date: See how research has evolved over time
  • Subject/discipline: Discover which fields are studying your topic
  • Population or demographic: Find studies on specific age groups, professions, or populations
  • Geography: See where research is being conducted
  • Methodology: Identify different research approaches (qualitative, quantitative, experimental)
  • Publication type: Focus on specific types of research (reviews, case studies, clinical trials)
  • Pay attention to which filter combinations yield the most interesting results—this can guide your topic narrowing.

Examples

Psychology:

  • Start: "Technology and human behavior"
  • Narrow to: "Social media's impact on self-perception"
  • Focus on: "Instagram use and body image among college students"

Business:

  • Start: "Online consumer behavior"
  • Narrow to: "Factors influencing online purchasing decisions"
  • Focus on: "How user reviews affect impulse buying of fashion items among Gen Z"

Computer Science:

  • Start: "AI ethics"
  • Narrow to: "Bias in AI systems"
  • Focus on: "Gender bias in facial recognition technology used for security applications"

Health Sciences:

  • Start: "Disease prevention"
  • Narrow to: "Lifestyle interventions for chronic diseases"
  • Focus on: "Community exercise programs for Type 2 diabetes prevention in at-risk adults"

Notice how each step becomes more specific while keeping the core interest that sparked your curiosity.