Sometimes a particular word or phrase seems to unlock your search magically. As you explore your topic, keep an eye out for key words and phrases that the experts use. If you're having trouble, check with your instructor or a reference librarian.
For many, if not most, research assignments, you need to do more than understand a topic. You need to have some central idea about it, a story to tell or a thesis that is supported by evidence.
One way to do this is to turn your topic into a question. Chances are your question will change as your understanding of the topic deepens, but it should help guide your search to have a specific research question in mind.
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You will have to spend some time mapping out the territory of a topic, sorting out what information is available and what different angles have been taken by others. This is often the most difficult part of the research process - and the most frustrating because you don't feel as if you're making much headway. Try these strategies to make the most of this part of the process: