| If your topic is too
broad, you will find too much information and will need to narrow your focus.
If your topic is too narrow, too specific, too specialized or too new, you will
have difficulty finding enough information and will need to broaden your focus.
How? Try the formula traditionally used by journalists: Who? What? Where? When?
Why? Who is involved?
A particular age group,
occupation, ethnic group, men, women, etc.
Example: violence in elementary
schools What is the problem?
Identify
the key issue facing the "who" in your topic.
Example: What measures
can be taken by educators to prevent violence in elementary schools? Where
is this happening?
A specific country, province, city, rural vs. urban
environment, physical environment, etc.
Example: violence in elementary schools
in California When is this happening?
Is
this a current issue or an historical event? Will you want to discuss the historical
development of a current problem?
Example: violence in elementary schools
in California over the past 10 years Why is this
happening? Why is this problematic?
Focus on the
suggested causes of the problem or issue, or,
Outline the topic's historical
or current ramifications. Topic too narrow?
Think
of "analogous" or similar elements that could be added
Example:
measures to prevent violence in California elementary schools compared or contrasted
with Florida elementary schools
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