Brandel Library

SPAN 2130/SOC 2130

Coming Up With a Research Question

Picking Your Topic Is Research

Brainstorming with 5Ws and an H

Try asking questions about your topic that begin with one of these words:

  • Who
  • What
  • When
  • Where
  • Why
  • How

Why and How questions can be especially useful for generating dynamic research questions.

Start Your Research with Reference Sources

Reference sources can help you jumpstart your research project by:

  • providing a quick overview of a topic,
  • identifying key questions that can shape your research,
  • pointing you towards other sources on the topic.

Online Reference Sources

Check the Bibliography

Reference articles typically end with a bibliography or works cited, which you can use to find key books and articles on the topic.