This document provides guidance on developing a research question from an initial topic by focusing the topic, adding a question, and establishing significance. It explains how to choose a topic, narrow it with action words, transform it into a question using "how" or "why", and relate the topic and question to larger issues to demonstrate significance. Key parts of the research process are covered, including brainstorming keywords, searching library databases, and refining the thesis statement.
1. From Topic to ThesisFrom Topic to Thesis
Developing a Research QuestionDeveloping a Research Question
Daniel Ransom and Nicole BranchDaniel Ransom and Nicole Branch
Librarians, Holy Names UniversityLibrarians, Holy Names University
4. Choosing your topic
You are writing a research paper, not a report.
A research paper provides analysis, not just facts.
Ask a question; solve a problem.
5. Choosing your topic
An interesting subject that came up in class?
Something you wondered about from your readings?
What would you like to learn more about?
Consider 3-4 different topics worth developing.
10. Focus your topic
If you can state your topic in 4-5 words, it is too broad.
Narrow your topic by adding action words:
n. conflict, description, contribution, development.
v. to conflict, to describe, to contribute, to develop.
12. Discussion
Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.
Integrate action words to develop your topic.
n. conflict, description, contribution, development.
v. to conflict, to describe, to contribute, to develop.
14. Question
Add either how or why to your topic.
Frame your topic through one of the following:
Context.
History.
What if?
Clues from your sources.
15. Common mistakes
Avoid questions with one word answers.
Avoid questions that can be answered with settled facts.
Avoid speculation without evidence.
16. The contributions ofThe contributions of
Islamic education toIslamic education to
European culture.European culture.
How did Islamic educationHow did Islamic education
contribute to and influencecontribute to and influence
Europe?Europe?
20. What do you want yourWhat do you want your
reader to understand?reader to understand?
21. Significance
Relate your topic and question to larger issues.
Relate your topic to larger global trends or events.
“in order to help my reader to understand...”
22. I am studying...
because I want to find out...
in order to help my reader understand...
the contributions of Islamic
education to European culture
how it influenced the west
the global context of the Renaissance.
23. Composition
Apply significance to your question
I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________
in order to help my reader understand ______________.
24. Email to your professor &
ransom@hnu.edu
Apply significance to your question
I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________
in order to help my reader understand ______________.
25. Thesis statementThesis statement
This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by describingThis paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by describing
the influence of Islamic education on European culture.the influence of Islamic education on European culture.
26. Keyword Strategy
This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by
describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.
27. Keyword Strategy
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain Italy
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
28. Google Advanced Search: limit domain to .edu ; Google Scholar
Library website: library.hnu.edu
Encyclopedia databases: Credo Reference, Gale Virtual
Reference Library
Book, eBook, & article search: WorldCat Local
Article databases: Academic Search Premier, ProQuest
Research Library
Search tools
29. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
30. Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
Search process
31. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
32. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
33. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
34. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
35. Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Byzantine Empire
Islamic scholarship
Timbuktu
Plato
Astronomy
Arithmetic
Florence
Muslim Muslim scholars
Humanism Western civilization
Spain
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
36. The search process helps you discover your narrative.
Search process
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Arithmetic
BroaderBroader
NarrowerNarrower
37. This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by
describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.
Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture
Italian Renaissance
Venice
Crusades
Medieval Trade
Arithmetic
38. This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by
describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.
Discussion
Identify three key terms or expressions in your thesis statement.
Write one broad (more general) replacement for each original term.
Write one narrow (more specific) replacement for each original term.
Use these terms when starting your research.
Share these terms with your partner for feedback.
39. Image credits: Wikimedia CommonsImage credits: Wikimedia Commons
and the following flickr users:and the following flickr users:
MomLes, harvest breeding, willowherbMomLes, harvest breeding, willowherbQuestions?Questions?
From Topic to ThesisFrom Topic to Thesis
hnulibrary@hnu.edu | library.hnu.eduhnulibrary@hnu.edu | library.hnu.edu
Prepared by Holy Names UniversityPrepared by Holy Names University
librarians Daniel Ransomlibrarians Daniel Ransom
and Nicole Branchand Nicole Branch