{"id":196,"date":"2022-07-15T15:38:27","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T15:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/tlas\/?page_id=196"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:32:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:32:34","slug":"topic-research-question","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/tlas\/instruction\/i-need-to-2\/topic-research-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Develop a Topic and Dissect Your Research Question"},"content":{"rendered":"

Develop a Topic<\/h2>\n

To save time researching your topic, follow the steps below before searching for information.<\/p>\n

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  1. \n
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    1. Write down your topic as a broad sentence or question.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Example:\u00a0Do video games cause violence in children?<\/p>\n

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      1. \n
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        1. Identify the main words or\u00a0concepts in your sentence or question. These are your keywords.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Example:\u00a0Video Games, Violence, Children<\/p>\n

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          1. \n
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            1. Brainstorm alternative words you can use for each of your keywords in Step 2. These should be synonyms or related ideas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n

              Tip:\u00a0Think about terminology that might be used by professionals in various disciplines to discuss the same issue. Use a combination of these when searching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
              Video Games<\/strong><\/th>\nViolence<\/strong><\/th>\nChildren<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
              Computer Games<\/td>\nViolent Behavior<\/td>\nYouth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              X-Box<\/td>\nAggression<\/td>\nTeenagers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              Grand Theft Auto<\/td>\nBullying<\/td>\nJuveniles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<\/table>\n