Narrowing and Refining Research Topics

Task 1: List Key Terms and Phrases

Top Topics	Keyword Search Terms	Related Terms	Narrower Terms
Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts
Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism
The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

TASK 4: Make a Rough Outline

SUBJECT 1:Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts

Major Issues:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

SUBJECT 2:Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

Major Issues:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

SUBJECT 3:The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

Major Issues:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

TASK 5: Consider Organization Patterns/Modes of Development

Next to each word/phrase, jot down ideas for exploring the research topic using each pattern of development.

Topic 1:Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts

Narration/Description
Definition
Process
Illustration/Exemplification
Comparison and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Classification and Division
Analysis

Topic 2:Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

Narration/Description
Definition
Process
Illustration/Exemplification
Comparison and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Classification and Division
Analysis

Topic 3:The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

Narration/Description
Definition
Process
Illustration/Exemplification
Comparison and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Classification and Division
Analysis

TASK 6: List Research Questions

1st Level Questioning: Make a list of all that you'd like to know about this topic. Include investigate-type questions (why, how, where, what, how much)

Topic 1:Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts

What I want to know about this topic:

Topic 2:Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

What I want to know about this topic:

Topic 3:The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

What I want to know about this topic:

2nd Level questioning: After you have compiled your list of questions and ask "Why?" Depending on the question, the exact phrasing may change slightly. The "why" question might be:Why am I interested in this? orWhy do I think they should?

Topic 1:Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts

Original question:

Answer to my "why?" question:

Why is it so important to me?

Topic 2:Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

Original question:

Answer to my "why?" question:

Why is it so important to me?

Topic 3:The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

Original question:

Answer to my "why?" question:

Why is it so important to me?

Then,review each of the top topics. Set up a table and filling it in.

TOPIC 1:Societal Expectations, Identity, or Cultural Shifts

Reference Questions	[Remember, a reference question is one that typically can be answered with known facts of statistics. For example, "What percentage of drug-related crime in 2010 was committed by dealers, not users?"]
Review/Report Questions	[Remember, a review/report question is one that typically can be answered with what is generally known about a fairly narrow topic. For example, "What is the rationale for California's '3 strikes' sentencing policy?"]
Research Questions	[This is where you will list those open-ended questions.]

TOPIC 2:Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

Reference Questions	[Remember, a reference question is one that typically can be answered with known facts of statistics. For example, "What percentage of drug-related crime in 2010 was committed by dealers, not users?"]
Review/Report Questions	[Remember, a review/report question is one that typically can be answered with what is generally known about a fairly narrow topic. For example, "What is the rationale for California's '3 strikes' sentencing policy?"]
Research Questions	[This is where you will list those open-ended questions.]

TOPIC 3:The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health

Reference Questions	[Remember, a reference question is one that typically can be answered with known facts of statistics. For example, "What percentage of drug-related crime in 2010 was committed by dealers, not users?"]
Review/Report Questions	[Remember, a review/report question is one that typically can be answered with what is generally known about a fairly narrow topic. For example, "What is the rationale for California's '3 strikes' sentencing policy?"]
Research Questions	[This is where you will list those open-ended questions.]