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Choosing a Topic: CCS112 Research Activity #1
Welcome! This is the first of five activities from the Library that you will see throughout the modules in your CCS112 course. We are going to work with you to take you through the steps of the research process to help you plan and write your Research Preparation Project. We can be reached with any questions and/or for personalized assistance toll-free at 877-247-3097 or by email to library@excelsior.edu. We look forward to working with you!
By the end of this activity you will be able to:
• Identify an academic research topic
• Explore background information sources to increase familiarity with the topic
• Define or modify the information need to achieve a manageable focus
The first step in the research process is choosing what you want to write about. In this module’s activity, you are going to choose a topic for your Research Preparation Project by following the steps below. Let’s get started!
Reading: Rozakis, L. (2007). Schaum’s quick guide to writing great research papers (2nd ed.). http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/excelsior/reader.action?ppg=25&docID=10204587&tm=1409318770907 Read chapters 2 & 3, pages 11-27 To access the readings: Click on the link above and login to the Library with your MyExcelsior username and password. You will be taken directly to Chapter 2. You need to read chapters 2 & 3. To turn the pages, click on the black right and left arrows located directly above the book.
Activity: Now that you’ve read about the process for choosing a research subject and how to narrow it down into a topic, you’re going to do it by following the steps below:
1. First, choose a broad subject that you are interested in researching. This is a college-level course, so your subject needs to be academic in nature. Since this is CCS112, you may be interested in a military subject, such as the American Civil War, the G.I. Bill, or Women in the Military. Review chapter 2 (pages 11-19) of the reading to help you with choosing a subject area.
Out of ideas? Check out the CQ Researcher database. It contains reports on current, hot issues. Browse some of these reports to find an area that you are interested in researching further.
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Need help? Contact your librarians toll-free at 877-247-3097 or by email at library@excelsior.edu
2. After you have chosen a subject, think of narrower ideas that you may want to write about that relate to your subject. This will become your topic. You can use a mind mapping tool (in the Brainstorm box) to visually brainstorm keywords and phrases or you can simply use paper and a pencil or anything else you are comfortable with. For example:
(Click the following link for additional examples of subject/topic maps)
As you brainstorm topic ideas, also start thinking about the angle that you will take. Your chosen topic needs to have at least 2 sides and you will choose a side when you narrow your topic into a thesis statement in research activity #2. For example, if my topic is electric cars, my angle could be that electric cars are cheaper in the long run than gasoline cars and my paper would try to prove my point. Note: Be sure to choose a topic that has different perspectives or pros and cons. The purpose of research is proving your point, so you will need to choose something that you can argue for or against. Review chapter 3 (pages 21-27) of the reading for help with narrowing your research subject into a manageable topic for your assignment.
3. Now that you have some potential topic ideas, search for background information on your topic using the resources below. As you read some background information, consider which side you want to take with your topic. Remember, you will need to choose a topic that has pros and cons because you will need to choose a side later on. What point would you like to prove to your audience about your topic? The ideas that you generate will help you focus and narrow down your topic and will also help with developing your thesis statement in the next module’s activity.
Subject: Women in the Military
Women in combat roles
Sexual Harassment
Basic training inconsistencies
Topic idea:
Topic idea:
Topic idea:
© 2016 The Sheridan Libraries of the Johns Hopkins University
Need help? Contact your librarians toll-free at 877-247-3097 or by email at library@excelsior.edu
Use any of the following research databases in the Library to search for information: (You will learn more about search strategies in research activity #3).
• CQ Researcher (for background information on current issues)
• Britannica Online: Academic Edition (for background information)
• Credo Reference (for background information)
• Military & Government Collection (contains military-specific research articles)
4. Write down your final idea for a topic.
Assignment:
Submit 1-2 paragraphs including the information listed below as a Word document to the assignment drop box for your instructor to grade:
• Note what your chosen topic is and explain why you chose this topic for your Research Preparation Project
• Discuss the steps that you took to get to this topic. (i.e. Using the readings, the process of taking a subject and turning it into a topic, the background information you found in the Library’s databases, how you brainstormed possible ideas, how you narrowed your topic, etc.)
• Describe at least two sides or angles of this topic. Meaning, how you might argue for or against your topic in your final Research Preparation Project.
Want to get a head start on Research Activity #2? Start thinking about how you will turn your topic into a thesis statement. Here is a short video (less than 2 minutes) to help you: Writing an Effective Thesis Statement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sx42_C10zw
If you get stuck or have any questions the librarians are here to help! Want more? Check out the Getting Started with your Research page for additional tips: https://my.excelsior.edu/group/library/get-started-with-research
The Library creates assignments/instructional guides based on the Information Literacy Competencies Standards for Higher Education, produced by the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL): http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency.cfm#stan
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