Choose a Topic

Read the assignment to clarify the scope and requirements

Find a topic that is relevant to your interests and meets the criteria for your assignment

Consult your instructor for advice and guidance

Ask a librarian if sufficient resources are available on your topic.

Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of your topic via web searches, overviews, course material, or reference books

Create Your Research Question

Think about and visualize your topic from many different angles

Create a list of related topics and subtopics (i.e. environment, oceanography, marine life, waste management, fisheries, aquaculture, business)

Identify keywords and synonyms for your topic to use as potential search terms. (i.e. ocean, seas, seawater; pollution, oil spills; fish, fishing, marine mammals, plant life, biology)

State your topic as a question. (i.e. How does pollution impact the ocean?)