Brainstorming About The Research Topic

Phase One of research involves thinking and generating ideas about the project. First, we will need to understand the assignment: what is your purpose and the process.

Purpose:

In order to learn how research is vital, not static, and to see the sense behind breaking a major project into smaller, discrete parts, we will work on an experiential research project. While the end product will be evaluated, what you do to get there is almost as important.

Since your topic should be controversial, find one which interests and inspires, perhaps even bothers you. Remember if you have no opinion about the topic one way or the other, the research project will reflect your blase' attitude, so when you are searching for a topic, reflect upon your own experiences and the articles you are reading.   Moreover, you will want to limit your topic to one that you can research within the time and space constraints imposed by the assignment.  Use brainstorming techniques, such as clustering and listing, to help you generate ideas.  

Click here for more help with Choosing The Question Right For You

Process

After you have decided upon a topic, prepare yourself for the process.  Most research project consist of

1. Finding a topic.

2. Locating sources from the library and  from the Internet.

3. Gathering information from "live" (interviews and friends) sources and static (books, television and radio) material.

4. Reading and understanding, then making sense of the material gathered.

5. Writing multiple drafts, having others read and offer feedback.

6. Reflecting upon experiences.

7. Presenting information.