Choosing and Narrowing Research Topics for APA & MLA Essays

Summary

This script offers a structured approach to selecting and refining a research paper topic. It emphasizes the significance of personal interest and prior knowledge in choosing a topic, and outlines three critical filters: theme, place, and time. The script exemplifies this process with a case study on Blackwater USA, illustrating how to formulate a debatable, plausible, and consequential research question. It concludes with an example of a well-structured research paper outline, highlighting the importance of a clear and engaging title, focused research question, and the application of the three filters.

Takeaways

• 📘 The initial step in writing a research paper is crucial as it sets the direction for the entire project.
• 🔍 Choosing a research topic should involve a process of narrowing down to a specific and manageable subject.
• 🤔 A good research topic must be debatable, meaning there are differing viewpoints and it's not a settled issue.
• 🧩 To be plausible, a topic should have solid reasoning and support from published sources.
• 🌟 The topic's outcome should be consequential, meaning it has significant implications or importance.
• 💡 Personal interest in the topic can greatly influence the quality and ease of writing the research paper.
• 📚 Leveraging previous experience or research background knowledge can save time and effort.
• 📍 Applying filters such as theme, place, and time can help refine the research topic to a specific scope.
• ❓ Formulating a research question is essential and it should be tested for debateability, plausibility, and consequence.
• 📝 The final research question should not be a simple yes/no question but should invite exploration and analysis.
• 📖 The example given illustrates how to structure a research paper with a catchy title, clear filtering, and a thought-provoking research question.

Q & A

What is the importance of choosing and narrowing a research paper topic?

Choosing and narrowing your research paper topic is a critical first step because it determines how long it will take to reach the goal of a polished paper. A well-defined topic ensures focused research and writing.

What are the three key tests for a workable research paper topic?

A valid research paper topic must be debatable, plausible, and consequential. Debatable means there are multiple points of view, plausible means you can support your stance with evidence, and consequential means the topic has significance or impact.

Why is it important to choose a topic you are personally interested in?

Personal interest and motivation are key factors in how well you will write and how easy or difficult the writing process will be. A topic you are passionate about will keep you engaged and motivated.

What role does previous experience or background knowledge play in topic selection?

Previous experience or background knowledge can save time and effort when working on a research paper, as you will already have a foundation of information and understanding to build upon.

What are the three filters you should apply after choosing your research paper topic?

The three filters are theme (slant, focus, or point of view), place, and time. These filters help narrow the scope of your research to make it more manageable.

Can you provide an example of applying the filters to a research topic?

For a paper on the private security firm Blackwater USA (now known as Z), you might choose the theme of legal accountability, the place of Iraq, and the time period of 2004-2010, focusing on the American invasion and occupation of Iraq.

What is a research question, and why is it important?

A research question is the central question your paper seeks to answer. It is important because it provides direction for your research and writing, ensuring that your paper is focused and coherent.

How do you test if a research question is valid?

A valid research question should be debatable, plausible, and consequential. It should allow for different viewpoints, be backed by evidence, and address a significant issue or problem.

Why is it important for a research question not to be a yes/no question?

A research question should not be a yes/no question because it limits the depth of analysis. A good research question encourages exploration and discussion of multiple perspectives.

What is an example of a well-constructed research question from the script?

An example of a well-constructed research question is: 'Under whose laws should the employees of Blackwater USA be held responsible for their conduct in Iraq?' This question is debatable, plausible, and consequential.