Because this will be a yearlong investigation, it is important to choose something significant and important to your life.
Think about what makes you happy, what intrigues you, what puzzles or annoys you, what you think can be improved upon, what you are currently reading about, etc. Allow a poem, a quote, a song, an image, an article, a podcast, an observation...to inspire you.
You can begin with a very broad idea and will eventually narrow to a feasible research question.
Resources that may be helpful while brainstorming areas of interest and inquiry.
Think about what makes you happy, what intrigues you, what puzzles or annoys you, what you think can be improved upon, what you are currently reading about, etc. Allow a poem, a quote, a song, an image, an article, a podcast, an observation...to inspire you.
You can begin with a very broad idea and will eventually narrow to a feasible research question.
Resources that may be helpful while brainstorming areas of interest and inquiry.
- Capstone Themes and Lenses
- TED Talks - organized by topic
- The Conversation - click on a subject at the top
- NPR - browse news, podcasts, etc.
- New York Times - browse by subjects listed at the top
- Library databases (passwords are in the Library Schoology group)
- Databases collect and organize sources by subjects and themes. They can help you narrow a broad topic idea.
- Take time to browse around and experiment with searches. Read abstracts and allow one article to lead you to another.
- Pay attention to Subject Terms and author-supplied keywords (usually at the top of the article)
- EBSCO (Academic Search Main Edition and Ultimate Academic Search) - pay attention to search suggestions that appear while you enter keywords.
- Use tools such as Topic Finder, Subject Guide Search and JSTOR Text Analyzer (links below)
- DOAJ - Directory of Open Access Journals
- EBSCO Open Dissertations
- Undergraduate Research Commons
- Google Scholar
- Artstor (get inspired by images) - free trial through December
- Have you recently read an article or post that piqued your interest? Take a moment and identify all of the possible themes/subjects in it. Search for those words in a variety of places.
- Perhaps do a QFocus: Set a timer for 3 minutes. Write down every question that comes to mind when you read the article (or look at an image). Don't stop to judge your questions; just write!
- Browse books organized by theme/genre
- Search and browse university library catalogs and Subject Guides (often called Libguides)
Gale Search Tools
Starbursting technique- https://www.mindtools.com/ab1w9zu/starbursting
Research Question Generator - https://learningmodules.lib.uconn.edu/Online_Curriculum_Document_Files/Get_Started/Accessible_Research_Question_Generator_Form.pdf
Research Question Generator - https://learningmodules.lib.uconn.edu/Online_Curriculum_Document_Files/Get_Started/Accessible_Research_Question_Generator_Form.pdf