SOC 200: Studies in Sociology: Getting Started

• Continue to define and refine your topic
• Start exploring scholarly resources
• Find sources for your annotated bibliography (due on the April 21!)

Often finding a topic can be the most challenging part of writing a research paper, here are some ways to choose and narrow down a topic.

Ask youself

• What am I interested in?
• What do I want to know?
• What problems need to be solved?

Brainstorm

• Related words, ideas, people, and topics
• Make a mind map
• No idea? Try an encyclopedia entry 

Too specific/ not specifc enough?

• Be reasonable
• Start wide and focus/narrow doesn your question
• Try to make an 'idea pyramid'
• Still having trouble? Ask Dr. Chapman or a librarian

Google can be a great resource, especially when getting started. 

You should also check out Credo and Sage for background information or history!

Learning and Writing Services is your place to go for Free peer tutoring, they can help you:

• Understand the concepts and ideas of a course/topic
• Write and revise your papers (including citing!)
• Manage your time and study better!

You can make an appointment on their webpage