WR 122: LeFave: 1-Topic of Inquiry
Assignment
- Article evaluation exercise (link forthcoming)
- WR 122 Source WorksheetNote: Make a copy of this document and use that copy to complete the worksheet and upload it to the Assignments Folder.
Choosing a Topic of Inquiry
Choosing a topic of inquiry that both interests you and is a good match for the assignments in WR122 often takes some browsing around. While the topic you choose doesn't need to be controversial or popular, it does need to be something you're curious about because you'll be investing some time and energy into exploring the topic through research and writing.
Watch the video on the right for strategies on choosing a topic. Then browse the links below (browse Finding a topic in the news and Policy & Research Institutes) to find a few topics to choose from that interest you.
Finding topics in the news
Searching news sources on the open web is a great way to identify a topic of interest. You are also invited to browse research institutes for topics being addressed by those interest groups. Read the descriptions and follow the links in the two boxes below that interest you:
- Google NewsA specialized Google search provides up-to-date news articles about current events.
Tip: add the word "research" to a search to to identify new research developments on a topic covered in the news. - New York Times "Room for Debate"Opinion essays on current social and political issues.
- New York Times -- Research newsCoverage of recent research. Note: some articles are labeled "opinion" or "editorial" but still point to the original researchers and thinkers on the topic.
- Science DailyRead the latest in science research about health, the environment, space exploration and more.
Policy & research institutes
Policy and research institutes conduct and publish credible research, often including polls, and advocacy on social, political, cultural or economic issues. While most policy and research institutes are non-profit organizations, some have a political or ideological slant.
- Brookings InstituteThe Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC.
- Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceTheir mission is to advance the cause of peace through analysis and development of fresh policy ideas and direct engagement and collaboration with decision makers in government, business, and civil society.
- Cato InstituteThe Cato Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.
- Center for American ProgessThe Center for American Progress is an independent, progressive, nonpartisan policy institute dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans.
- Council on Foreign RelationsThe Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
- Gallup PollCurrent polls and research on a wide variety of topics. They often track polling responses over time, so you can see shifts in public opinion.
- Heritage FoundationThe Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies.
- Kaiser Family FoundationKaiser is a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy.
- Pew Research CenterPew Research Center is an independent center that conducts polls and studies.
Advanced Google Searching
Google's advanced search lets you limit your search to more reliable resources, like education sites or government sites. To do this, add site:edu or site:gov to your regular Google search.
For example:
- If you do an ordinary Google search for nutritional supplements, most of your top results will be commercial (.com) sites trying to sell you vitamins.
- If you search for nutritional supplements site:gov , the top results (except for the sponsored ads) will be sites such as the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, which are authoritative, unbiased sources that are not trying to sell you anything.
- If you search for nutritional supplements site:edu, your top results will be from universities providing research on nutritional supplements.
Learn more Google Search tips from "6 Google Tricks That Will Turn You Into an Internet Detective" in the New York Times.
Turning an Interest into a Research Question
In this video, you’ll learn how to turn something you find interesting into a researchable question for a college research project.
Background research
Now you're ready to get to know the topic of inquiry. Background research is an essential first step. Read the text and watch the videos below to learn why getting to know your topic is a great way to start your research. In order to explore what others have written and understand about your topic, start by searching a broad concept related to your topic.
For example, if you're writing about the experience of returning home from a military tour of duty, search "military life" or "military reintegration." If you're writing about juggling college, work and home-life, search on the phrase "time management" if that resonates with your interests. The trick is to search on concepts or ideas that describe the life experience you're writing about.
Background sources like encyclopedias and newspaper articles are good for finding out who is talking about your topic (psychologists? educators?) and an overview of what they think is important.
Watch the video titled "Whatapedia" and then try each of the databases listed below to find at least one relevant entry on your topic.
After reading, watching and searching all of the resources listed on this page, locate at least one background source that supports your learning about the topic. Aim for sources that will help you establish the context for your specific topic in your essay writing.
- Access Science This link opens in a new windowAn online version of McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. It contains nearly 9,000 online encyclopedia articles, terms, images and videos related to sciences and technology. The Study Center provides essay topics, study guides and bibliographies.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowTopical, full text reports on controversial issues. Each report features a summary, chronology, and bibliography. Updated weekly.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowProvides online versions of 500 published reference works, including general and specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias. Try the Concept Map to search for terms and topics that are interconnected and displayed in a visual form.
- Encyclopedias for Background Research This link opens in a new windowA selection of online encyclopedias that provides general overviews of topics across many subjects. Start here to get working definitions of key concepts and a big picture view of your topic.