INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH 

NEED MORE IDEAS?

Reference Books

Research Question

Idea Generator

Reference Books

Reference Books can help you coming up with a topic and narrowing your topic.

See the Finding Books tab of this guide for more information on how to find Reference Books.

Research Question

Questions require answers.

A topic is too broad to cover thoroughly, but a question has an answer. 

Good research explores a question without an easy answer. 

Narrowing a topic to a primary question will get your research off to the right start.  

See the What is Research? tab of this guide for more information on formulating a research question. 

Idea Generator

The Idea Generator is from Old Dominion University. 

This guide has an informative video on picking your topic and topics organized by subject. 

Take a look at the guide to get your gears moving, but remember to formulate a research question after you have decided on a topic.