CHOOSING A TOPIC
Choosing your research topic is an important step in writing a literature review.
First, choose a strong topic and one you're interested in. You don't want a topic that is too narrow or one that has little or no research about it. Think of a topic that will have enough supporting articles relating to it. Is it significant enough that research has been done on it?
Try brainstorming. Writing different ideas down on paper can help your ideas flow. You also want a topic that piques your curiosity. Keep in mind you have to live with this topic over the course of an entire semester.
Try identifying 3 potential research topics. Consider related concepts. Then, perform a brief preliminary search on all three. From your three ideas, choose the one that is strongest. Are there enough articles available? Is the topic too general? Keep refining your topic so that it isn't too broad and general.
Finally, write down your topic in a statement form.
Here are a few helpful tips on how to choose a research topic:
In the early phase of planning your literature review, you will want to identify the scope of your research. Below are a few elements to consider:
