Step 1: Choosing and Narrowing a Topic
1. The first step in defining your research topic is to review your assignment. Ask yourself:
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2. State your topic as a question.
What effect does genetically engineered food have on the health of consumers?
3. Identify the main concepts.
genetically engineered foods AND health AND consumers
4. Select alternative keywords for main concepts.
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| genetically altered foods | GMO (genetically modified organisms) biotechnology and food genetically engineered |
| health and safety | food safety hazard(ous) well being |
| consumers | public people |
5. Test your topic. Make sure to pick a topic that will have enough information available. Do a preliminary search to see if there is enough information about your topic by following steps 2 to 4.
Step 2: Find Background Information
Background and introductory information places a research topic into a greater context. Lecture notes, textbooks, and reference books such as encyclopedias and almanacs make up important background information.
1. A reputable encyclopedia dictionaries, handbooks and encyclopedias. Look up keywords in the index of an encyclopedia, find the entry, and don't forget to take note of the bibliography at the end of the article for further readings.
2. A major article on the topic, like one from CQ Researcher or other sources. Read articles in the sources you find to set the context of your research. Pay close attention to the vocabulary the authors use.
3. The Library of Congress Subject Headings (in the Library) to find possible subjects to search for books.
4. Search for bibliographies to guide you to other sources of information (books, articles, etc.) in the Library Catalog by conducting a subject search on your topic followed by Bibliography. Example: Human Rights -- Bibliography
5. Collect keywords or important terms, concepts and author names to use when searching databases. Start thinking in broad terms, then narrow or broad your topic.
Step 3: Find Books
Books provide broader, more extensive information on a given topic. The Library Catalog allows you to search for books at Otterbein and OhioLINK. The materials located in the library where you are working appear in bold text on the screen. You will notice many ways to search, such as Title, Author, Subject, Subject Keyword, etc.
The Courtright Memorial Library uses the Library of Congress classification system. This system classifies the materials in the collection by subject. For a more detailed look at the system, browse the Library of Congress Classification Outline.
Step 4: Find Articles
Current and specific information is found in articles in periodicals (magazines, journals, or newspapers). Articles are often used to update and support the information in books.
The most effective way to find articles on a given topic is to use an index. In the past, researchers would have to use print indexes to find articles on a topic, write down the citation, then go to the shelves to find the article in the print issue of the periodical. This method is still used for retrospective or historical research. However, today we have article databases which index articles by subject and often provide the full text of the article.
Check the library A-Z Journal List to see whether the library have access to it.
Make an Interlibrary Loan Request for the item.
Try the resources below to help you get ideas for possible research topics:
CQ Researcher is often the first source that librarians recommend when researchers are seeking original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Founded in 1923 as Editorial Research Reports, CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy. Reports are published in print and online 44 times a year by CQ Press, an imprint of SAGE Publications.
Current events database - Containing resources that present multiple sides of an issue, this database provides the basis from which students can realize and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills.
More sources of topics on international sports
When you are looking for a particular journal or magazine, always check the Otterbein A-Z list to see if we have it.
If we don't have the journal you need, remember that you can always do Interlibrary Loan to get the article.