Step 1 of A Research Process
- A Research Process
- Objectives
- Steps in a Research Process
- Managing an Extended Research Process
- Research or Empirical Research Studies
- Literature Reviews
Step 1: Decide on a topic
To begin, state the research question, problem or issue. Then, develop a topic and thesis.
- topic = a broadly defined subject area
- example: effects of rain runoff
- formulate a question = find a narrower perspective or focus on the topic by asking a series of questions about the topic
- example: what are the effects of rain runoff in Boston Harbor?
- thesis statement = answer you suspect to find or points you will argue about the topic question
- example: rain runoff increases pollution in Boston Harbor, endangering plant and animal wildlife