From topic to thesis: Developing a research question

From Topic to ThesisFrom Topic to ThesisDeveloping a Research QuestionDeveloping a Research Question

Daniel Ransom and Nicole BranchDaniel Ransom and Nicole Branch

Librarians, Holy Names UniversityLibrarians, Holy Names University

Topic - Question - Topic - Question - SignificanceSignificanceThesis Statement MethodThesis Statement Method

TopicTopic - Question - - Question - SignificanceSignificanceThesis Statement MethodThesis Statement Method

Choosing your topic

You are writing a research paper, not a report.

A research paper provides analysis, not just facts.

Ask a question; solve a problem.

Choosing your topic

An interesting subject that came up in class?

Something you wondered about from your readings?

What would you like to learn more about?

Consider 3-4 different topics worth developing.

Castle ArchitectureCastle ArchitectureExample Topic ChoicesExample Topic Choices

Nudity in Renaissance artNudity in Renaissance artExample Topic ChoicesExample Topic Choices

Islamic educationIslamic educationExample Topic ChoicesExample Topic Choices

BrainstormBrainstormWrite down 3-4 topics you have consideredWrite down 3-4 topics you have considered

Focus your topic

If you can state your topic in 4-5 words, it is too broad.

Narrow your topic by adding action words:

n. conflict, description, contribution, development.

v. to conflict, to describe, to contribute, to develop.

Islamic education.Islamic education.

The contributions of The contributions of Islamic education to Islamic education to European culture.European culture.

Discussion

Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.

Integrate action words to develop your topic.

n. conflict, description, contribution, development.

v. to conflict, to describe, to contribute, to develop.

Topic - Topic - QuestionQuestion - - SignificanceSignificanceThesis Statement MethodThesis Statement Method

Question

Add either how or why to your topic.

Frame your topic through one of the following:

Context.

History.

What if?

Clues from your sources.

Common mistakes

Avoid questions with one word answers.

Avoid questions that can be answered with settled facts.

Avoid speculation without evidence.

The contributions of The contributions of Islamic education to Islamic education to European culture.European culture.

How did Islamic How did Islamic education contribute to education contribute to and influence Europe?and influence Europe?

Discussion

Transform your topic into a question.

Incorporate how or why.

Add context.

Topic - Question - Topic - Question - SignificanceSignificanceThesis Statement MethodThesis Statement Method

SignificanceSignificanceSo what?So what?

What do you want your What do you want your reader to understand?reader to understand?

Significance

Relate your topic and question to larger issues.

Relate your topic to larger global trends or events.

“in order to help my reader to understand...”

I am studying...

because I want to find out...

in order to help my reader understand...

the contributions of Islamic education to European culture

how it influenced the west

the global context of the Renaissance.

Composition

Apply significance to your question

I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________ in order to help my reader understand ______________.

Email to your professor & ransom@hnu.edu

Apply significance to your question

I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________ in order to help my reader understand ______________.

Thesis statementThesis statementThis paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by

describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.

Keyword Strategy This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by

describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.

Keyword Strategy

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain Italy

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Google Advanced Search: limit domain to .edu ; Google Scholar

Library website: library.hnu.edu

Encyclopedia databases: Credo Reference, Gale Virtual Reference Library

Book, eBook, & article search: WorldCat Local

Article databases: Academic Search Premier, ProQuest Research Library

Search tools

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Search process

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval Trade

Byzantine Empire

Islamic scholarship

Timbuktu

Plato

AstronomyArithmetic

Florence

Muslim Muslim scholars

Humanism Western civilization

Spain

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

The search process helps you discover your narrative.

Search process

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval TradeArithmetic

BroaderBroader

NarrowerNarrower

This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.

Islamic educationIslamic educationRenaissanceRenaissance European cultureEuropean culture

Italian Renaissance

VeniceCrusades

Medieval TradeArithmetic

This paper establishes the global context of the Renaissance by describing the influence of Islamic education on European culture.

Discussion

Identify three key terms or expressions in your thesis statement.

Write one broad (more general) replacement for each original term.

Write one narrow (more specific) replacement for each original term.

Use these terms when starting your research.

Share these terms with your partner for feedback.

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons Image credits: Wikimedia Commons and the following flickr users:and the following flickr users:

MomLes, harvest breeding, willowherbMomLes, harvest breeding, willowherbQuestions?Questions?From Topic to ThesisFrom Topic to Thesis

hnulibrary@hnu.edu | library.hnu.eduhnulibrary@hnu.edu | library.hnu.edu

Prepared by Holy Names Prepared by Holy Names University librarians Daniel University librarians Daniel

Ransom Ransom and Nicole Branchand Nicole Branch