Using Library and Electronic Resources to Identify a Topic

Finding a good research topic may take a substantial amount of time and effort, but this initial step is critical. You'll have a more enjoyable time with your research and writing if you pick a good topic that you find interesting. As you browse through materials, consider issues surrounding the topic. Use the following strategies to help you identify a manageable topic:

• Browse a print index. Go to the area in your library where print indexes are kept. (Usually this is the reference room.) Browse through a general index like the Reader's Guide or the General Science Index as well as more subject-specific indexes. Browse through a current volume for a topic that interests you.
• Browse current periodicals. Go the area in your library where periodicals are kept. Browse through current issues of magazines, journals, or newspapers.
• Search an electronic database. Connect to Periodical Abstracts, a good general database that covers a wide range of topics in popular and academic publications, or to a subject-specific OhioLINK Research Database. Do a subject or word search, and then browse through entries.
• Search the World Wide Web. Connect to a search engine, like Metacrawler, AltaVista, or HotBot. Do a search on a topic of your choice. Try your search using several different search expressions and combinations.

Consult these pages for more help on finding a topic:

• Complete a worksheet to help identify a topic
• Check out topics used by other students

Selecting a Topic

E-mail your comments and suggestions to the YSU Grant Team (cardcat@bgnet.bgsu.edu).