Research Topic Selection OLIVER Review the major subfields

Research Topic Selection OLIVER

Review the major “subfields” of sociology

Overview: (from Schaum’s Guide) Choose a suitable topic Start with yourself and work outward Keep an idea book/log Listing Webbing Making visuals (diagram/draw it) 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why, how) Free write Read Consult experts

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Choose a suitable topic: Unsuitable topics share these traits: ◦ ◦ They cannot be completed within the time allocated. They cannot be researched since the material does not exist. They do not persuade since they are expository or narrative. They are inappropriate, offensive, or vulgar. Keep these in mind and come back to them later

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Choose a suitable topic: I. e. ◦ Feasible ◦ Scientifically relevant ◦ Socially important Keep these in mind and come back to them later…

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Start with yourself! What are your hobbies? What are your interests? What is something that confuses you? What is something that inspires you? What is your favorite: song, movie, play, book, magazine, etc.

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Keep an idea log Keep a paper or easily-accessible electronic device and jot down ideas when they come to mind!

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Listing Make a list of everything you can think of that you might research. Circle three most interesting

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Webbing Make a web How do interests connect/diverge? What are some related research topics? Is there an “overarching” topic that takes in all of your interests?

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Draw it! Make a diagram of your topic! (Not as easy as it sounds, but “if you can’t draw it, you can’t research it!)

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) 5 Ws For your topic, what are the ◦ ◦ ◦ “Whos” “Whats” “Whens” “Wheres” “Whys” and “Hows”

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Freewrite Everyone write a paragraph (or page if you have time) that tells what your final paper will be about. Then read them as a group and jot down your favorite ideas!

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Read We will work on some of this in class, but you will have the best research paper if you read as much as you can outside of class: ◦ ◦ Academic writing Novels Newspapers Magazines

Choosing a research topic (from Schaum’s Guide) Consult experts! Directly if possible (professors on campus) Youtube (make sure they are really experts!) Interviews (often in news) Ask Bro. Oliver for sources if you get stuck

Choosing your research topic Brother Oliver’s 2 cents: Find a “sticking point”! Think of your research goal: ◦ Write down the one thing you want to accomplish once you are done. ◦ Use the tools just described to help you move “down the road” to that goal until you get stuck! ◦ THIS IS THE STICKING POINT!