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Research

So you have a paper or project due and you don't know where to start? Use this guide to help you pick a researchable topic, search for sources effectively, and keep track of your research.

Generating Topic Ideas

If you are able to choose your topic:

  • Does anything in today's news interest you?
  • Look over recent hot topics
  • Review your class readings
  • Consider your personal interests
  • Talk to someone: a friend, your instructor, a librarian
 

Using AI for Topic Ideas

While you should not use or cannot trust AI for every step in the research process, it is a great tool for helping you narrow down and refine a topic you're interested in researching. See this example using ChatGPT:

Getting More Specific

Prepare to search breaking your topic down into potential keywords.

What is your topic?

Example: How does poverty affect children?

What are some alternative words related to your topic?

poverty

children

poor

child

underprivileged

kids

low income

young people

socioeconomic status

family or families         

Is there a specific aspect of this question that interests you?

health   housing   nutrition   religion   development   family   education   politics   safety

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