ACWR303 - Academic Writing for Nursing

The purpose of this phase is to identify and select a general topic.

To do this, you will want to:

Read your assignment carefully - note important details of the assignment prior to commencing thinking about a topic. How many pages, 5 or 20, makes a difference in the focus of a topic and the resources you may consult. Often, the assignment's instructions will indicate the number of sources you need, how current the sources must be, and whether you need to use primary or secondary sources. Other considerations include the due date (will you have time to retrieve information from document delivery, interview experts, etc.?), what the paper is worth, where are marks assigned (introduction, abstract, citation style, etc.). Spend time planning with respect to assignment guidelines so that you start on the right track from the beginning.

Read your lecture notes for ideas - note interesting topics that have been discussed, or will be covered in upcoming lectures. Review recommended reading lists and your textbook, and course outline for topics and themes that might spark good research questions. Consider possible topics based on personal interest in light of assignment requirements and time commitments. Pay attention in class, following up on topics that spark interest, even if only mentioned tangentially.

Talk to others - discuss possible topics with classmates, friends, even family. Consult with informal experts (e.g. TAs, graduate students, professional in the fields). Make an appointment with your professor to discuss preliminary topic ideas.

Most importantly, start NOW - it is important to start considering and weighing potential topics as soon as you know that you have a research assignment. Do not wait until a couple of weeks before the assignment is due. Beginning early allows you to explore a variety of topics, rather than being "stuck" with a topic of little personal interest.