Narrow down a research question after brainstorming by selecting either a specific population, location, or time period. Learn other steps to take in the process of choosing a doable research project.

1. 5 Methods

2.  Take your time to
look for a topic
 Look around “to see
if a juicier topic may
be in full view
nearby” (George 30).
 Think about preparing
the topic for company
 “Choose something
that interests you”
(George 31).
See Mary George’s book The Elements of
Library Research: What Every Student
Needs to Know. Princeton, NJ: Princeton
UP, 2008. (30-31)
See Artful Danni’s Peeking in the Fairy Door:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danniquee/

3.  Advantage
◦ Instructor = interested in
whatever they
recommend
◦ Knows your strengths &
weaknesses
◦ Knows library collection
 Disadvantage
◦ You may not be
interested
◦ Instructor may be an
expert on the topic See Mary George’s book The Elements of
 Seek and relish wisdom Library Research: What Every Student
Needs to Know. Princeton, NJ: Princeton
 Ignore her fame UP, 2008. (31-32)

4.  Multiple summaries in
reference tools
◦ Encyclopedia Britannica
◦ Wikipedia
◦ Plus more
 Note how various
accounts of a subject
differ
 Find and record
keywords to search See Mary George’s book The Elements of Library
with later. Research: What Every Student Needs to Know.
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2008. (32-36)
Record intriguing facts Start your research log

5.  Look at lists of
references in textbooks
or encyclopedias
 Browse the library
shelves aka stacks
 Libraries organize books
according to subjects
“Hence you can browse, or scan, your
See Mary George’s book The Elements of way to an exciting topic of your
Library Research: What Every Student own by standing in one place”
Needs to Know. Princeton, NJ: Princeton (George 37).
UP, 2008. (36-40)
Discover good books Meet “Serendipity”

6. ◦ Can be shared with someone
 Primary Sources
◦ Evidence by or near
whatever you are
studying.
◦ Examples: Image courtesy of Suttonhoo:
http://suttonhoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/postdated.html
 Sonnet
 Speech “One way to discover a
 Law
captivating topic is to look
deeply into a primary
 Photograph
source to see what it tells
 Equation
you and to attempt to
 Stock market chart understand it in its original
 Computer graph of a drug context.”
interaction
- Mary George
 Musical score
See Mary George’s book The Elements of Library
 Letter Research: What Every Student Needs to Know.
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2008. (41)

7.  Think about what you
already know
 Canal building in Idaho
and transportation
 Try to connect the dots
See Mary George’s book The Elements of Library
Research: What Every Student Needs to Know.
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2008. (41-42)

8.  Seek approval from “A longer process is in
your instructor fact easier to manage
 Don’t go to the and a lot less painful
library or search on than a compressed
your computer for a one.”
whole day
 Engage your
imagination
 Avoid drowning in a
sea of sources before
you know what to do
with them
See Mary George’s book The Elements of Library
Research: What Every Student Needs to Know.
See James Good and “Balmy Ocean.”
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2008. (42-43)