Philosophy

• Start where you are. Think about topics that might be of interest to you. What do you already know? What would you like to know? What class papers or discussion caught your attention? Skim over your reading list or textbook for ideas.
   
• Search for relevant current events.
   
• Look for trade magazine articles in your area of interest.

Gather background information on your topic to help you:

• Focus your topic
• Hone your search
• Define specific terms and phrases
• Identify the big players or experts in the field

Encyclopedias, Biographies, or Handbooks are all excellent places to find more background information. 

Writing your research question/thesis:

Your topic of interest is typically phrased as a one sentence statement at the beginning of your project. This statement (or thesis) should be specific. It will also need to cover what you are discussing in your paper and should be supported by the evidence you present.

Ask yourself:

• Who? Who is the specific person or group you would like to focus on? Who is this topic important to?
• What? What part of your topic are you specifically interested in?
• When? What time period is of interest to you?
• Where? Where would you like to focus your research? What area or region is most interesting?
• Why? Why do you think this is an important or interesting topic?

It's okay if your thesis statement changes as you write! Research is an iterative process, so you may go through a few thesis statements before you finish your project.