InfoGuides: Introduction to Research: Topic Ideas

Last Updated: Oct 24, 2024 2:24 PM

Getting Started

Choosing a topic can be challenging. There are different tools and techniques you can use to help yourself get started.

Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas. Here's some questions to ask yourself to help get you started:

What interests you?
What do you hope to study and learn about while at RIT?
What's going on in the world that concerns you?
What issue or circumstance has touched your life that you want to learn more about?
Who do you find fascinating?

Articles about Controversial Issues

RIT's Library subscribes to two different databases that focus on controversial issues: Opposing Viewpoints and CQ Researcher. Browsing the topics listed in either database can be an effective way to identify "hot topics" of interest. The information in these databases include scholarly/peer reviewed articles as well as other types like magazines, viewpoint articles, newspapers, etc., that are not considered scholarly.

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Click the "Browse Issues" option near the top of this database's screen for a full list of interesting topics.
CQ Researcher Online This link opens in a new window
Choose "Browse Topics" from the top menu to view a list of topics by subject (e.g. Science and Technology).

Evaluate Sources

Today we have access to more information than ever before- this is both good and bad! There are many websites, articles, and authors who may be writing things with ulterior motives (e.g. they want to sell you something, convince you something is good or bad, political bias, etc.). Below are some methods for determining if a resource is reliable and relevant to your research.

The SIFT Method
A method of evaluating resources to see if they are credible.
Evaluating a Resource Using Lateral Reading
Another method to compare and contrast sources of information.

Subject Based Journals

Browsing articles published in professional journals that explore a certain field can help you identify important issues being discussed in that discipline.

Finding Journals Using Summon
Summon, RIT Libraries' search gateway, offers different tabs to access certain types of resources. After clicking the link, choose the "Journals" tab above the search box.