Sample FAQ: Tools for choosing paper topics:
One of the biggest challenges at the college level is generating topic ideas for class papers. The vast amount of information online can be overwhelming. This FAQ will guide you through resources that can help you come up with ideas and develop these skills throughout your academic career. Librarians can help understand how to use these tools to support your research.
The key to finding a strong topic starts by identifying gaps in existing research. Try to uncover connections between ideas so that you can contribute to the broader academic conversation. Each of the resources will show you how to find and engage with the academic conversation.
Key idea: Identify gaps in research and explore them.
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Credo Reference
Credo Reference is an excellent source to gather background information. To find it first, click on databases. Then go to C and scroll down until you see Credo Reference.
This will take you to the Credo Reference search page. In the search bar, enter a topic you are interested in. For example, let's pretend you are writing a paper about social media.
After entering social media, Credo Reference will generate a mind map displaying various key ideas related to the topic. You can click on any of the terms in the mind map to view their descriptions and related concepts.
Under Articles, Credo will link you to general articles about the concept. Under More Library Resources, explore academic articles on your topic. By browsing these resources, you can see what research has already been done on the topic. For example, you might notice a gap in information about LinkedIn as a social media network, which could inspire your paper topic.
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Newspapers
Newspapers are a valuable resource for identifying key conversations in a particular field. You can search online for a topic, and newspapers often interview leading experts. By finding articles featuring these experts, you can uncover important debates in the field.
For example, a search in the New York Times for LinkedIn and Algorithms leads to the September 2022 article: LinkedIn Overshare by Lora Kelly. From this article, you can generate keywords and identify key debates surrounding the social media network.
Emmanuel College offers many newspaper subscriptions. Students can sign up for a New New York Times Academic Pass , or browse the archives of the Boston Globe, Washington Post and more!
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Database Searching
Another great way to conduct a search is by using the library database. Let’s use Academic Search Premier as an example. To access it, first click on Databases. Then, scroll down to the A section and select Academic Search Premier.
You can start with a broad search if you're unsure about a specific research question. For example, since I know I want to write a paper about LinkedIn, I will begin by searching for LinkedIn and see what resources are available. Make sure your search is set on peer review and full text. Please see our guide to searching the database.
I found papers about LinkedIn and its connection to career goals. Now, I can use this research as a foundation and combine it with other sources. For example, I might focus on how LinkedIn contributes to overwork.
The search Linkedin AND Burnout gives me one paper, which is perfect. Once I have a paper, I can scroll down to its citations to find other related research. By searching the database with an open mind, I can quickly develop a focused topic.
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AI Key idea generation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a valuable research tool, but it's important to remember that AI cannot generate original ideas for you. Instead, it quickly scans available information online. You can use AI to help generate keywords, which you can then use to guide your own research. AI should be viewed as one of many possible tools to point you in the right direction. To get the best results, AI requires clear and specific prompts. For example, a good prompt might be:
"I want to write a paper about _____ (LinkedIn). What are some gaps in the existing literature?"
*Note this is a reference citation. We are citing it this way so you can see how you will cite AI. Below we will add an intext citation*
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT(November 22 version). [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
You can also use AI to suggest keywords. Once you have a general topic, you can write a prompt such as:
"I am interested in writing a paper about how LinkedIn can be used for career advancement. What are some keywords I could use to search a library database?"
The chatbot can generate a list of potential search terms (OpenAI, 2024). Now, you can try a few searches in the library database, such as:
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LinkedIn AND career advancement
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LinkedIn AND career growth
Those are four different ways to identify research topics. Searching is a skill and requires a willingness to explore. Sometimes you may need to narrow or broaden a topic based on available resources. Please talk to a professor or a librarian (You can make an appointment with a librarian using the attached link) who can help you connect your research to available resources.
References:
Kelley, L. (2022, September 16). How LinkedIn Became a Place to Overshare. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/business/linkedin-overshare.html
OpenAI.(2023). ChatGPT(November 22 version). [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
