Selecting and Developing a Topic

Subject Area(s):

• Higher Ed: General

Grade Level(s):

• Lower level

Description:

This in-class worksheet is designed to assist students in selecting and developing a suitable research topic from a larger research subject. Students must have computer access when completing this assignment.

Goals & Objectives:

• Students discover on-line encyclopedias accessed via library portals.  They are not permitted to use Wikipedia.

• Emphasizes the importance of background information when deciding on a focused research topic.

• Enables students to think about synonyms and various ways of describing their topic.

Materials:

• Access to library databases that include on-line encyclopedias.  Wikipedia is not used. 

Procedures:

• Undergraduate students should need 15-20 minutes to complete this task.

• Worksheet is used after we talk about selecting and developing a topic and before they are given an assignment that they complete on their own. 

Assessment:

This is an easy task for most students, but they are amazed that they cannot use Wikipedia and are happy to find out that we have other on-line encyclopedias.

Supporting Files:

• topic_inclass_worksheet.doc
  All students must have computer access to complete this in-class assignment. Directs students to use on-line encyclopedias accessed via library portals. Requires students to begin to think about formulating a research question.

Standards:

ACRL Standards (Higher Education IL Standards)

Determines the nature and extent of information needed

• Defines and articulates the need for information

Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently

• Retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods
• Refines the search strategy if necessary