Narrowing/broadening a topic tips
Narrowing
If your topic is broad, consider asking yourself the 6 Ws (who, what, when, where, why, and how) and trying a combination of these elements with your broad topic:
- WHO: Population (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.)
- WHAT: Type based on the topic (example: topic is renewable energy, types could be wind energy, solar energy, etc.)
- WHEN: Choose a timeframe (time period or time in life)
- WHERE: Choose a location (states, region, country, etc.)
- WHY: Why does it matter to research this topic?
- HOW: How will I go about finding information on this topic?
Examples with the topic concussions in sports:
- WHO: Kid sports and concussions
- WHAT: Kids and football concussions
- WHEN: College football players and concussions
- WHERE: Concussions of college football players in the United States
- WHY: Effects of concussions on college football players later in life
- HOW: Searching sports databases and journals and medical magazines and newspapers
Research Question: What is the effect on adults of sports concussions received in childhood?
Broadening 
If you're not finding information on your topic, it might be too narrow and needs to be broadened. Consider removing a word or element from your research question/thesis/topic.
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