There are three main steps involved before you actually write your research paper.
These steps are:
a. Choosing a topic
b. Narrowing a topic
c. Outlining ideas
a.
Choosing a topic
The first thing involved in writing a research paper is to choose a topic. You should choose a topic which reflects your interest and understanding. Think over the topics that really interest you. Next make a short list of possible topics. Then choose the topic which seems most promising.
b.
Narrowing a topic
The next step is to narrow your topic down to a small, workable unit. For example, the topic you have chosen is “Skin Cancer”. This topic can be narrowed down to a more specific topic:
Skin Cancer
The Causes of Skin Cancer
The Causes of Skin Cancer around the world
Main risk factors for Skin Cancer, based on Australia and Malaysia
|
Look at how the topic “Tourist Spots in Malaysia” has been narrowed down.
Tourist spots in Malaysia
Penang beaches
Batu Ferringhi
The Attraction of Batu Ferringhi |
A. Supply the most
specific topic you can think of in the blanks provided.
Information Technology
Computers
Uses of Computers
__________________________________________________________________
2.
The Decline of the English Language
The Decline of English in Malaysia
The Decline of English among Malaysian students
Factors contributing to the declining standard of English among Malaysian students
__________________________________________________________________
3.
Illnesses
Incurable illnesses
Multiple Sclerosis
___________________________________________________________________
B. Narrow the following topics to reach an interesting, specific topic for investigation:
1.
Cigarette Smoking
_______________________________
_________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2.
Politics
____________________________
________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3.
Newspaper
____________________
_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4.
Television
______________________
_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5.
The Greenhouse Effect
___________________________
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
B.
Get into small groups. Brainstorm three or more topics between you to practise
narrowing them into interesting, specific topics.
If you have already selected your topics for the Academic Report, discuss
in your group whether or not your topic is specific enough for a short
investigation.
You
should now be in a position to begin researching your topic with a degree of
focus. You can select sources which
discuss your specific topic as well as the general topic.