Choosing+a+Topic

====CHOOSING YOUR TOPIC ====

Your goal is to find a topic that is //manageable//--Not too broad and not too specific.

You will start by thinking about what interests you. Browse lists of suggested topics, look through newspapers and magazines, search databases such as Gale's Student Resources in Context or Chicago Public Library's SIRS, use the free web, and talk to your friends, teachers, and family members.

Next you will do some preliminary research to find something new or interesting that you may not have thought about.

Finally, you will generate some specific questions about your topic to create a research focus and prepare you to narrow it down.

If you are interested in researching Domestic Violence, this in itself is TOO BROAD. You must //explore this topic// in order to narrow it down to a more manageable research topic or question. You might ultimately find information on **domestic violence and teenage boys as victims** and think that would be interesting. Or you might decide to research more about **the effect of high school prevention programs on reducing school violence**.


 * TOPIC EXPLORATION GUIDE (assignment #1) **

Before you select a topic, you will need to explore research topics that may interest you. Using the **books, databases, newspapers, magazines, free web, etc.**, identify THREE topics that interest you and some specific questions about those topics; then use the chart on your handout to record your preliminary research.



//**Need IDEAS???**//

1. Check out St. Ambrose Library's Hot Paper Topics.

2. Browse magazines and newspapers using one of the Gale Subscription Databases.

3. Chicago Public Library Databases, especially SIRS Researcher

4. Use a subject directory on the free web to help narrow down your broad interests:

Google Directory

Infomine

Librarian's Index to the Internet

Pro Con Controversial Issues

5. Use the library catalog SOAR.

6. Talk to friends, family, teachers, coaches, etc.


 * SUBMIT YOUR TOPIC FOR APPROVAL (assignment #2) **

When you have decided on a topic you must complete the following form which will be sent to your English teacher for approval:

Manley Senior Research Project Topic Approval Form

What do I know about my topic? What information do I need to complete this task? How will I find the information that I need? What are the BEST sources of information for this task? <span style="color: #008080; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How will I determine if my information is credible?
 * Think About It... **

<span style="color: #008080; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Eisenberg, Michael. "A Big 6 Skills Overview." Big 6 Information and Technology Skills. 19 Nov 2001. Retrieved 15 Dec 2010. <http://www.big6.com>.