Decide On Your Topic
There are several things to consider in choosing your topic:
- The topic should be one that interests you. Consider this an opportunity to learn about a topic about which you are curious. This will make the project more enjoyable.
- The topic should be acceptable to your professor. Discuss the topic with your professor to be certain that the project meets the requirements for your course assignment and is neither too big nor too limited for the size of the assignment.
- The topic should be workable. Discuss the topic with a reference librarian to determine whether the topic you have chosen can be done within the time you have. Some materials may have to be gathered from other libraries through a process called Interlibrary Loan; time must be allowed for this process.
There are several places you can look for suggestions if an idea for a topic does not immediately occur to you:
- Your professor may be consulted to provide a list of suggested topics. Your instructor is an expert in the subject you are studying and may provide a list of interesting topics which (s)he considers acceptable to meet the course requirement.
- Your course textbook may include a topic you would be interested in exploring more fully. Examine the table of contents and the subject headings within the chapters to find a topic which interests you.
- A general or specialized encyclopedia in your subject area might suggest a topic you could explore. There are many general and specialized encyclopedias in the Reference Area of the library. Ask the librarian to help you find one appropriate for your subject.
- A book on suggested research topics can be found in the library reference collection. Try 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports and Speeches 3rd edition (Ref LB1047.3 .L35 1998).
- Try CQ Researcher (Ref H35 .C67). This tool may also be accessed online via CQ Researcher. When accessing this database from off campus RVCC students will need to provide their G# and password.
- There are Web Pages on Hot Topics that can give you ideas that are of current interest. Consult them for ideas on a topic you might enjoy researching.
- Documents in the News- Current Event Research. From the University of Michigan Documents Center, this site presents a list of topics and links to documents giving background information.
- Poynteronline Links to the News. Lists of headline news stories going back five years from the Poynter Institute, a school for journalists. The headlines lead to links with information on the topics.
- Best Information on the Net. A site located at Saint Ambrose University in Iowa which maintains a list of Hot Paper Topics.
- Yahoo! Issues and Causes. Numerous links to some of the major controversial issues of our day. Good place to come up with an idea for a topic!
- Open Directory. Many links to world issues. This directory aims to be the largest human-edited directoryon the WWW. Staffed by volunteer editors.
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Raritan Valley Community College / Evelyn S. Field Library
