Information Literacy: Which Topic ?

Identify your topic

• Write it in one search statement    
• Identify your search scope
• Identify keywords
• Other parameter such as :
  • Year
  • Language
  • Range of publication (Eg: 2000 -2005)

**  Incorporate the above as you search  

Selecting a topic is the first step. If the choice is up to you, pick a topic that interests you. Think broadly about your topic and do some preliminary research by consulting subject encyclopedias, dictionaries or handbooks. You can also check appropriate current periodicals or browse shelves of books classed in subject areas to get ideas on research topics.

You will probably have to narrow your topic since most topics are too broad for a research paper although at times your topic could be too specific and in this case, you might need to broaden your focus.

Develop you topic

Once you have identified your topic:

• State the topic in the form of a specific statement or question.

• Identify the main concepts, terms and keywords that describe your topic.

• Start making a list of words to describe your topic. Use dictionaries and thesauri to define other terms to build a useful list of terms. These terms will become the keywords for searching catalogues, indexes, and databases for information about your subject.

For example:

Topic: What are the behavioural effects of TV violence on children?
Main concepts:	television, violence, children, behavioural effects
Secondary concepts:	television, TV violence, aggression, aggressive, cruelty child, adolescents, juvenile, minor acting out, conduct

Once you have identified key terms for your topic, you are ready to shape your strategy for searching catalogues, indexes and databases.