In most of your academic writing classes, you'll be able to select almost any topic you'd like to research. This can be both exciting and overwhelming! But it doesn't have to be too difficult. When selecting a research topic, it’s important to select a topic that is interesting to you.
Here are some questions to kickstart your topic brainstorming:
We also recommend using a mind map (see below) to further develop topic ideas.
A mind map or concept map is a visual representation of what you know about a topic. Concept maps help you organize your thoughts and explore the relationships in a topic. Use a concept map to organize and represent what you know about a topic. Explore the connections between elements of the topic.
Mind maps can be used to develop a research topic. They are a useful brainstorming tool that helps you focus your topic, and identify possible search terms before using the library's databases to search for articles for your assignments.
Most of the time you start with the central idea, topic, or subject. Then you branch out from that central point and show how the main idea can be broken into specific subtopics. Each subtopic can also be broken into even more specific topics. Always review your map to add more related terms and concepts.
Ask yourself:
Aviation Safety mind map created by Fatima Embalo in Mindomo.