Choose a topic that you have a connection to: something you're interested in, something important, something you are curious about
Broaden or narrow your topic and think of subtopics that might be important.
Browse some resources related what you want to research. Read about your topic for background information.
Sometimes topics spring from curiosity, sometimes they spring from necessity. See the examples to the right.
Broad topics are very big topics- you won't have trouble finding information, but you might find too much information.
Narrow topics may be too small. You might have a hard time finding resources or thinking of subtopics to explore
Choose a "Goldilocks" topic- not to broad, not too narrow, not too hard, not too easy, not too disturbing.
Words that are connected to your topic
These may also be subtopics
Categories of information that are related to your topic
Subtopics are more narrow than the main topic
Pandas
US History
Soccer
Buying a Car
Health Topics
Choosing a College
Read for "background information"
Paper Books
Ebooks/Audiobooks
Magazines
Websites
Videos/Podcasts
Databases
Interviews
School Library/Website
Public Library/Website
Book Stores
World Wide Web (Internet)
Television
Experts
Readable
Reliable
Relevant