Module 1: From Broad Idea to Specific Question
Module 1: From Broad Idea to Specific Question
Welcome to the first module of our self-guided research and writing tutorial! The most challenging part of writing a research paper is often getting started. This module will help you transform a general interest area into a focused, manageable, and researchable topic. You will learn to use a systematic approach to define the key components of a research study: the independent variable, the dependent variable, and the population. By the end of this module, you will have a clear, specific topic to guide your research and writing.
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Generate a list of broad topics related to exercise science.
Define what makes a topic "researchable."
Identify and define independent and dependent variables.
Identify a specific population for a research study.
Construct a narrow, specific, and researchable topic statement.
The first step is to think about what you find interesting within the field of exercise science. Don't worry about being too specific yet. Just let your mind wander and jot down any ideas that come to mind.
Think about:
Classes you've enjoyed.
Sports or exercises you participate in.
Health trends you've heard about.
Personal questions you have about exercise, nutrition, or human performance.
For example:
Exercise and weight loss
Strength training
Yoga
Sports drinks and performance
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
The benefits of stretching
Take a moment to brainstorm at least three broad topics that interest you. Write them down in your notes.
1.
2.
3.
A broad topic like "exercise and weight loss" is too big for a single research paper. It would be impossible to cover everything related to that topic in a concise way. To make it manageable, we need to narrow it down. We do this by defining three key components:
Independent Variable (IV): This is the "cause" or the factor that is changed or manipulated in a study. In an exercise science paper, this is often a specific type of exercise, a training program, or an intervention.
Dependent Variable (DV): This is the "effect" or the factor that is measured. It's the outcome you are looking at.
Population (P): This is the specific group of people or subjects you are studying.
Let's use an example to illustrate:
Broad Topic: Exercise and weight loss
Independent Variable (IV): A 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program. (This is the specific intervention).
Dependent Variable (DV): Body fat percentage. (This is the specific outcome we will measure).
Population (P): College-aged adults. (This is the specific group we are studying).
Putting it all together, we get a much more specific topic:
The effect of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on body fat percentage in college-aged adults.
This topic is now specific enough to be researchable. You can find studies that have been conducted on this very topic or similar ones.
Now it's your turn to apply this process to one of the topics you brainstormed earlier.
Guided Practice:
Choose one of your broad topics and break it down into the three components.
Broad Topic: _________________________
Independent Variable (IV): What specific exercise, training program, or intervention do you want to focus on? Be as specific as possible.
My IV: _________________________
Dependent Variable (DV): What specific outcome or effect do you want to measure? This could be muscle strength, heart rate, flexibility, VO2 max, etc.
My DV: _________________________
Population (P): Who do you want to study? Be specific. Instead of "people," think about "collegiate athletes," "older adults," "children with asthma," etc.
My Population: _________________________
Construct Your Research Topic
Now, combine the three components into a single, focused statement.
My specific research topic:
The effect of [My IV] on [My DV] in [My Population].
The effect of _________________ on ______________________ in _______________________.
In this module, you learned how to move from a general interest area to a specific, researchable topic. This is the critical first step in the research process. The key is to define your independent variable (the intervention), your dependent variable (the outcome), and your population (the subjects). You now have a solid foundation to begin searching for scholarly sources on your topic.