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Mathematics Research Guide

Develop your Topic 

Explore banner image Before you develop your research topic or question, you'll need to do some background research first.           

Some good places to find background information:

  • Your textbook or class readings
  • Encyclopedias and reference books
  • Credible websites
  • Library databases

Try the library resources below to explore your topic. When you're ready, move on to refining your topic. 

Find Background Information: 

Refine banner image After conducting initial background research, it's important to refine your topic. Consider the following strategies to narrow or broaden your research focus:

To narrow down your research topic, consider the following:

  1. Focus on Specific Details
  2. Look for Cause-and-Effect Relationships
  3. Investigate Unanswered Questions
  4. Concentrate on a Time Period or Specific Group

To broaden your research topic, consider the following:

  1. Extend the Scope
  2. Incorporate Related Ideas
  3. Expand Geographic Boundaries
  4. Use Broader Terms and Synonyms

Remember to strike a balance - your topic should be broad enough to provide enough resources, yet narrow enough for a focused discussion. Don't hesitate to adjust your topic as necessary.