BI206 Microbiology Project 2

Turning your topic into a Research Question

Broad Topic:

Narrow Topic: 

Impact of cosmetic products and bacteria antibiotics on the gut

General Question:

After further research, the question may evolve and so will your thesis. 

Thesis:

This short video demonstrates to students how to develop an appropriate topic for a research paper by considering goals, approaches, topic scope and helpful resources.

(Kansas State Libraries, 2013)

Step 1: Mind map your keywords and your research trajectory. Maybe do a search and find some items. Is there a government page on your topic? Is there an article on you topic? Use Bubbl.us to mind map and save links to your research. 

Step 2: Go to Bubbl.us and mind map your keywords and research ideas. Download the mind map as a jpeg and upload it here to share with peers and instructors.

Research as Inquiry refers to an understanding that research is iterative and depends upon asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers prompt additional questions or lines of inquiry in any field.

• Formulate questions for research appropriate to scope and based on information gaps
• Evaluate information from a variety of perspectives in order to shape your own knowledge base

In groups, brainstorm topic using background information, knowledge, and critical thinking questions. Each group shares findings as a concept map. Try answering questions such as:

• what interested you in the topic?
• what about the topic do you know already?
• what are potential subtopics?
• who, what, where, when, how
• perspectives, ideologies, social analysis