Basic Steps of Research

Once you understand the assignment, it is time to choose a topic for your research paper. Think about these factors to help you select a topic:

• Is the topic interesting to you? Is it something that you are passionate about, or would like to learn more about? If possible, select a topic of personal interest and learn more about it. If you like the topic, the research and writing processes will be more enjoyable.
• Is the topic appropriate? Have you got permission from the instructor?

• Do you think other readers will find this topic interesting?

• If it is a very broad topic, e.g. pollution, can you narrow the focus of your paper to a smaller sub-topic, e.g. ocean pollution?
• Be original and select an interesting and off-the-beaten path topic. See your instructor for advice. 

You should research and ask a question on a topic that you are genuinely interested in.  You will be spending a lot of time with this one particular topic and want to stay as engaged as possible. 

Your research question should follow these principles: 

• CLEAR - it should provide enough specifics that the audience can easily understand its purpose without needing additional explanation 
• FOCUSED - it is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the assignment allows. 
• CONCISE - it is expressed in the fewest possible words
• COMPLEX - it is not answerable with a simple "yes" or "no", but rather requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources prior to the composition of an answer
• ARGUABLE - its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted fact

Source: George Mason University Writing Center. (2018). "How to Write a Research Question." https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/how-to-write-a-research-question