Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (ELPS)

The Power of Three for Topic Development

To avoid a topic that is too narrow or  too broad, try the three-pronged approach to a topic.

For instance, the topic of "achievement gaps" can be narrowed by limiting the scope of the topic based one or more of the following:

• Subject--math, reading, music 
• Grade/age level: primary/secondary/upper level/community college
• Geographic area: state, country
• Time Period: last decade, last two decades

Build & Breakdown the Question

From these areas of interest start to build a question or theory that will start your research question.

• Does self-selected reading in middle school help close achievement gaps in literacy in Title I schools in California?  

Next work backwards from your question to make sure you have about 2-3 main concepts, which is a number that leads to a workable research project.

• Concept 1: self-selected reading
• Concept 2: academic achievement -- literacy
• Concept 3: middles  schools -- Title I -- California

The above guidelines are based on information from Walden University Library. A brief exercise in choosing the best research question is available from SUNY Empire State College. 

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