Contents
Should questions be broad or narrow and why?
The question should have an appropriate scope. If the question is too broad it will not be possible to answer it thoroughly within the word limit. If it is too narrow you will not have enough to write about and you will struggle to develop a strong argument (see the activity below for examples).
How do you create a less broad research question?
Narrowing Down Research Topic: Ultimate Guide With Examples
- Choose a general topic area.
- Give specific description of the topic area.
- Mention an aspect of the specific topic:
- Note down extra specifics about the topic.
- Turn the topic into a sentence or statement.
What happens if a topic is too broad?
If the topic is too broad, you will be overwhelmed with information. If the topic is too narrow, you may not be able to find enough information for your research paper. A good first step is trying to ask a question about your topic to give you both a focus and structure.
Is the research question too broad or too narrow?
Question A: What are the 14 different disease-causing genes that were discovered in 1994? Question A is far too narrow to develop into a research paper. You could answer this question in one sentence, and the question does not allow you to develop your own thoughts about the topic.
What to do if your topic is too narrow?
If your topic is so narrowed and focused, it can become too academic or pedantic. If your topic is too narrow, try making it broader by asking yourself related questions. Your topic is too specific. Generalize what you are looking for.
How to broaden or narrow topic in college?
Use different databases. Use the Library catalog to find other databases in your subject area which might cover the topic from a different perspective. Also, use excellent searching techniques to ensure you are getting the most out of every database. Remember if you need help finding databases or techniques, contact a librarian.