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Steps in the Research Process: 1. Find & Develop Your Topic

Research Tips

  • Pick a topic that interests you - The easiest topics to write about are ones that you like.
  • Use course material - Go back over your lecture notes or textbook chapters to find a topic.
  • Keep the focus of your topic narrow - A narrow focus will save you time and pointless research.

Choose and Develop a Topic

Finding Your Topic

The first step in writing a research paper is to choose what you want to write about. If you're having trouble deciding, here are some suggestions:

  • Discuss possible topics with your class instructor.
  • Discuss possible topics with a reference librarian.
    • Call the reference desk at (504) 671-5328.
    • Stop by to speak with us in person or to set up an appointment.
    • If you are off-campus and have a quick question you can text the library at (504) 322-3655.
    • Chat with a librarian using AskALibrarian on the right side of the DCC Library page.
  • Look over the index and the article titles in a specialized encyclopedia that covers the subject area of your topic. (For example, if you wanted to explore "Marie Curie" as your topic, you would look her up in the index of a science related encyclopedia such as The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science.) For help finding an appropriate encyclopedia for your subject, ask a reference librarian.
  • You can also use the subject or research guides we have prepared on many topics. For a list of DCC Library's research guides, click here.

Developing your Topic

Unless you are writing a long research paper (20+ pages), avoid choosing a topic that covers too broad an area. Focus on a particular event, time, person or group, and/or place. For example, the American Revolutionary War involved many countries spanning the globe (Thirteen Colonies, Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Mysore) and involved too many aspects to cover in a short research paper. Instead, focus on one aspect, such as the Battle of Lexington or the surrender of Cornwallis.

However, be sure to not make your topic too narrow. If your topic is too specific, you may have trouble finding enough information to support your paper.

Explore Possible Topics for Your Research Paper

Use one of the Library's comprehensive reference databases to find a topic:

Purdue OWL

This handout from Purdue's Online Writing Lab offers more advice how to choose a topic for a research paper. 

How to Choose a Research Topic

Literati Database

Choosing a topic for your research can sometimes be a difficult process. Watch this video to learn how to effectively choose a research topic with Literati.

Choosing a Topic Using Literati

next step: Find Background Information >>