COM 356: Media Criticism

 Preliminary Research

To help familiarize yourself with your topic, it is helpful to do preliminary research in encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc. Preliminary research can also help with:

• Identifying keywords and synonyms for searches
• Determining if your topic is too broad or too narrow
• Identifying sub-topics
• Seeing if there is current research on your topic

Find Background Information

Use the following resources to get a general, high-level information about your area of interest

How to Narrow Your Topic

Having a narrow topic will save you hours of research. Take the time to answer these questions to narrow your topic:

• What?

  • What is your topic?
  • What other issues/ events are similar or related to your topic?

• Who?

  • Who is affected by your topic? Think of groups, corporations, governments
  • Who is involved?

• How?

  • How does your topic impact society, culture, politics, economics, etc.?

• Why?

  • Why does this topic matter to you?
  • Why should it matter to others?

Just Right Topics

• Too Broad: How does technology impact children?
• Too Narrow: How did the Wait Until 8th smartphone pledge impact middle school students in classical schools?
• Just Right: How does screen time impact creativity in early childhood?

• Too Broad: Are Americans racist?
• Too Narrow: How does racism affect Gordon College students?
• Just Right: How does racism affect the experience and retention of African American college students at faith-based schools?