Finding a Scholarly Topic
Try to select a topic that will
1. examine a significant issue
2. advance the readers knowledge; and
3. display a serious purpose that demands analysis of the issues, argues from a position,
and explains complex details
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topic selection goes beyond choosing a general category (e.g., Canada as peacekeeper); it
includes finding a research –provoking issue (e.g., Canada’s role as peacekeeper should
be increased in the 21st century). That is, as a researcher you need to take a stand and
adopt a belief
Generating your own ideas for a Research Topic
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Using Personal Experience
o Combine a personal interest with some aspect of your academic studies
o Consider career interests
o Let your cultural background prompt you to research into your roots, your culture,
and its history
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Talking with Others
o Instructor, fellow students, family, specialists on the internet, experts in books and
articles (BTW: if you do an interview, please make a reference to it in lit rev)
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Free Writing and Brainstorming
o Free writing is an exercise that requires non-stop writing for a page or so to
develop valuable phrases, comparisons, personal anecdotes, and to focus. Don’t
think – just write (only you will see it).
o Brainstorming is writing a list of key words in any order for terms that might help
you focus
o You can do it with a friend, if that helps
o You can keep a small research journal with you to record your ideas as you walk
around during the day
Using Electronic Sources to Discover a Good Topic
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Web
o subject directories
o keyword searches
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Library’s Electronic Databases
o E.g., Infotrac (either abstract or full-text), Social Science Index (not full text), etc.
 list peer-reviewed journal articles
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JAC library catalogue