HIST 401: Library and Archival Historical Research

How to choose a research topic

• Check the directions for your assignment to make sure you’re following the parameters.
  • How long does the paper need to be?
  • What types of sources are needed?
  • How many sources are needed?
• Pick a topic that interests you and is relevant to your course assignment.
  • What would you like to learn about your topic?
  • You can trying using an outline or concept mapping to come up with ideas.
  • If you’re having trouble coming up with a topic or what direction to take with your research, look at your class readings (see Presnell p. 15 for links to history related Websites) and talk to your professor or a librarian to get some guidance.
• Search for background information
  • If you’re not familiar with your topic, then find background information to explore the various issues relating to your topic.  Good sources would include scholarly encyclopedias and books to start.  You can move on to articles later when you’re ready to focus on specific aspects of your topic.
  • Come up with good keywords/phrases to help you in searching databases for background information.
• Evaluate your results
  • What type of results are you getting?  You don’t want your results to be too broad or narrow.
    • Tips for narrowing your search:
      • Who?  Who is affected by this topic?  You can limit by various groups: Age, sex, race, ethnic groups, occupations, etc.
      • What?  What are the major issues associated with this topic?  Try focusing on a specific aspect of your topic/subject.
      • When?  When did your topic happen?  Limit by specific time periods.
      • Where?  Where does your topic occur?  Is it a local, national or international phenomenon?  Limit by geographic location.
    • If your search is too narrow/specific (you don’t get enough results), then try broadening your search terms.
• Be flexible
  • Be willing to adjust your searches and research topic as needed in order to be successful.  Sometimes your research will take you in a completely unexpected direction than what you started out with.  Be willing to follow where it leads.

Adopted from the Northeastern University Library guide [https://subjectguides.lib.neu.edu/resfund/plan]