Develop an overview of your research idea

Strategies for developing an overview

Using one or more of the following strategies to develop an oveview is a good idea, because you will get a broader base of understanding and you never know what serendipity will find for you.

Check out any books that are really relevant to your research subject and photocopy or downoad any journal articles that are really relevant. This will be the start of your working bibliography.

As you read for an overview:

• take notes on the important or interesting concepts, themes, trends, issues, contradictions, conflicts, and terminology that are related to your research subject.
• take notes on the relationships that exist between these aspects of your research subject

• Read the most relevant sections of your textbook or other class materials.
• Find the library's subject or research guides (print or electronic).
• Read encyclopedia and encyclopedic dictionary articles on your research idea.
• Browse the library stacks.
• Browse the tables of contents of current issues of journals.

Introduction
Identify Research Ideas
Develop Overview
Organize Research & Write Topic Statement
Narrow or Broaden Topic
Develop Thesis
Develop Questions
End of Module