As someone in the social sciences and humanities, I had a broad idea of what I was interested in when going into my independent research. But once it came time to propose a specific topic, I was overwhelmed by how many possibilities there were. I was drawing on a massive archive of documents that dated back to the 1890s, so trying to decide on just one moment or figure to focus on made me feel like I was leaving a lot of important stories out. The best research projects are the ones that you’re genuinely excited about, but what do you do when you’re excited by a lot of different topics? Here are five tips that have helped me narrow down a broad research interest to a specific research topic.
- Look for connections: My thesis adviser gave me this tip when I brought him a list of potential research topics that felt really disjointed. Take a piece of paper and write down all the individual ideas, themes, people, historical moments, etc. that interest you. As you read through the completed list, look for connections between each of the ideas, then physically draw lines connecting them. It seems simple, but this process helped me realize how many thematic connections existed between my ideas, which ultimately helped me articulate a clear project topic down the line.
- Talk to someone new: Find a friend who is completely unfamiliar with your field and explain your research interests to them. As you’re speaking, reflect on which ideas you find yourself mentioning frequently and which ideas you don’t emphasize as much. Also, consider the kinds of questions your friend asks in return. The more familiar you are with a topic, the harder it can be to recognize the immediate questions that come up for others. Articulating my ideas and getting new perspectives on them has helped me narrow down a broad range of ideas to one compelling topic. And if you don’t feel quite ready to speak with someone else, try just talking out loud to yourself!
- Free write: Pretend you have a draft of your independent research paper due tomorrow. What would you say? While you’re generally not ready to write a polished paper at the beginning of the research process, sometimes pretending that you are can help you to refine your ideas. Which ideas do you write about quickly, and which feel like a chore? Which of these ideas could you see yourself writing about consistently over the next several months? Don’t be afraid to write awkward or clunky sentences–just start writing and let the ideas flow.
- Read a broad range of literature: Look at how other writers in the field have explored the topics you’re interested in. Are there any approaches or ideas that you find really compelling? Does the literature on any topic feel incomplete? Where could you add your own ideas to help fill this gap? Is there a question in the literature that makes you look at your original research in a new way? Don’t limit yourself to books or articles that directly address your topic. Reading widely can help you find new questions or ideas that can really deepen your ideas. The library has so many helpful resources, like subject guides, research consultations, and research subject specialists, which can help you identify new literature.
- Have fun: It’s cliché but try to enjoy the process. Independent research gives you the unique opportunity to explore something that truly matters to you. Though the beginning stages can feel overwhelming, they can also be a time of true exploration and exciting discovery. Try to find some joy amid the uncertainty.
While having the freedom to study whatever you want can be daunting, that flexibility also allows you to dedicate your time and energy to an issue that you truly care about. When things feel overwhelming, try to remember what an exciting opportunity independent work provides.
— Alison Fortenberry, Social Sciences Correspondent
