Exercise  2        HH01515A.gif (970 bytes)        

         Is this the right topic?

1. Get into groups of three. Examine the following proposed research topics/questions for a 10-15 pages long research paper.  Mark those that are well defined with "A" and those too broad or too narrow with "F".  Explain your "grading".

2.  The following is an exercise in the use and features of CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints. 

Exploring CQ Researcher:

- what are the steps you would take to locate this database

- what is the scope/coverage of this database?

- On the main page of this database, what do they feature?

- how would you use this database to brainstorm on research topic ideas?

- and how would you go about if you already knew the general area of your research but wished to find a CQ Researcher article/report on this subject area?   For example, try a search for the general subject area of wind energy.

- how are topics expressed/presented in each CQ Researcher report/article (look at the title of each report/article)?

- what is the Pro/Con section of a CQ Researcher report/article?

- where in a CQ Researcher article can you find suggestions for additional sources on a topic ?

- finally, can you find how to cite the CQ Researcher article you may retrieve?

 

Exploring Opposing Viewpoints

- what are the steps you would take to locate this database

- what is the scope/coverage of this database?

- how would you use this database to brainstorm on research topic ideas?

- and how would you go about if you already knew the general area of your research but wished to find articles on this subject area? This time try a search for the general subject area of nuclear energy.

- how are results organized and presented in this database?

- click on an article you found.  Does the database allow you to email this article?

- does this database help you find the way to cite this article?

(time permitting)
3. Pretend that you need to work on a 15 pages long research paper.  Your general area of research interest has to do with either a.  racial issues or b. obesity (select one).  You need to narrow down your topic to a well-defined research question.  

Go ahead and use the CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints to get help narrowing down and defining the topic you selected (racial issues or obesity)

Search both of these databases and look closely at your results. What type of research question do you think may be a good candidate for such a research project? Write it down below: