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WMST 1216

Tips on how to select a research topic

These two short videos from NCSU library explain the cyclical nature of selecting a researchable topic, and why you may have trouble finding a "perfect source".

Testing your topic

The best way to test your topic is to start searching. Don't be afraid to modify your topic based on the results you get (but be patient, research takes time).

Expert search tips:

  1. Save time by using * to search for variations on a word
    Example: trans* searches for transgender, transmasculine, transfeminine, transsexual, trans man, trans woman etc.

  2. Use quotation marks to keep separate words together as one concept
    Example: search for the concept of "social media" rather than the words "social" and "media" separately 

  3. Connect your keywords and concepts using AND and OR.

Basic Boolean Searching

This 2:42 video shows how to improve your search using AND/OR/NOT