Introduction to Research: Selecting a Topic

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide on the early stages of conducting research, focusing on selecting a research topic, performing background research, and narrowing it down into a specific research question. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives, ensuring credibility in sources, and using reliable academic resources like Purdue Libraries to support the research. The video also highlights how to refine a broad topic into a focused, researchable question and suggests useful tools like databases for gathering scholarly materials to help in the research process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Select a broad research topic related to your course or text, such as themes or ideas from novels like Frankenstein or Annie Allen.
• 😀 Brainstorm ideas by reflecting on what interests you, such as recent readings, chapters, or personal connections to the material.
• 😀 Conduct background research to expand, confirm, or challenge your current understanding of the topic.
• 😀 Use Google and Wikipedia for initial exploration, but prioritize credible academic sources for your research.
• 😀 Purdue Libraries' databases are a reliable source for scholarly information, offering encyclopedic entries, articles, and books.
• 😀 When conducting background research, assess different perspectives and terminology used in related scholarly discussions.
• 😀 Be cautious about the credibility of sources, particularly blogs or non-expert content, and prioritize expert-driven material.
• 😀 As you research, update your notes to reflect new insights, connections, or evidence that may inform your focus.
• 😀 Narrow your research topic into a focused, clear, and debatable research question based on what you've learned.
• 😀 A good research question should be specific, arguable, well-scoped, and situated in relevant scholarly conversation.
• 😀 Once you have a research question, use Purdue Libraries’ catalog to dig deeper into scholarly materials that will support your argument.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the research project described in the video?

The main purpose of the research project is to explore connections between an original literary text, such as 'Annie Allen' or 'Frankenstein,' and scholarly research related to its themes, events, or ideas, and to present the findings in a polished research paper or presentation.

What makes research exciting, according to the video?

Research is exciting because it allows individuals to explore new sources and ideas, make connections between literature and real-world events, and express their analysis in conversation with the ideas and findings of other scholars.

What are some of the key steps in the research process outlined in the video?

The key steps in the research process include selecting a broad research topic, creating a research question, applying search strategies to find relevant sources, and examining the credibility and relevance of those sources.

How can a student select a general research topic?

A student can select a general research topic by thinking about something they know or care about, considering what resonates with them from course texts, or exploring connections between their major and the course assignment.

What is the significance of background research in the early stages of the research process?

Background research is important because it helps expand, confirm, or challenge what you already know about the topic. It also allows you to understand different perspectives, identify aspects of the topic to focus on, and refine your research question.

What challenges might students face when conducting background research online?

Students may encounter challenges such as determining the credibility of online sources, especially when dealing with individual blogs or non-expert content, making it important to find more reliable scholarly sources.

What resources does Purdue Libraries offer to help with background research?

Purdue Libraries provide access to reference databases, scholarly encyclopedias, articles, and books that are reliable and written by experts. These resources help students find credible information and identify relevant aspects of their research topic.

How should students document their findings during background research?

Students should document their findings by recording where they found the information, how it relates to their topic, and any insights or new aspects of the topic that arise. Using a template can help organize these notes effectively.

What is the difference between a research topic and a research question?

A research topic is a broad area of interest, while a research question is more specific, clear, and focused. A research question is arguable, situated in relevant scholarship, and helps guide deeper research efforts.

How can students narrow their research question after conducting background research?

After conducting background research, students can narrow their research question by using insights gained to focus on a more specific aspect of the topic, ensuring that the question is well-scoped and addresses a particular angle within the broader subject.