Hesburgh Library
151 Hesburgh Library
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-4548
tkenjock@nd.edu
Narrowing a topic requires you to be more specific about your research interest and can help you to develop a thesis:
To successfully search for information on your topic, it is best to determine the main concepts and then find keywords for those concepts. The keywords can become your search words.
For example, your research question is "Does fracking cause water pollution?"
First underline the keywords as shown. Then begin generating synonyms and related words to help you develop a search strategy.
fracking |
water |
pollution |
hydraulic fracturing |
underground water |
contamination |
drilling for natural gas |
aquifers |
toxins |
natural gas wells |
wells |
carcinogens |
directional drilling |
domestic water supply |
flammable water |
(example adapted from University of Idaho Libraries)