Performing background research may reveal that your topic or research question is too broad (large) in focus or too narrow (small) in focus. You may have found too many or too few results to meet your information needs or assignment requirements. For example, a topic like "race horses" will be too broad and return many results and potential areas for research. In contrast, a topic like "race horse cardiovascular injuries on synthetic surfaces" will be too narrow to find substantial research.
If you returned too many results, it can be helpful to narrow the focus of your research. Here are some techniques to help narrow your topic.
Ask Yourself Can my topic focus on a specific time or date range? In the past decade or specific year?
Example Ethanol fuel production
Narrowed Ethanol fuel production in the past five years
Ask Yourself Does my topic have a local focus? Can I focus on a specific geographic region or area?
Example Wetlands restoration
Narrowed Wetlands restoration in Ontario
Ask Yourself Can I limit the topic to a specific gender, age group, income level, ethnicity, nationality, education?
Example Public smoking bans
Narrowed Public smoking bans and their impact on children's health
Ask Yourself Can I focus on a political, philosophical, ethical, social, legal, or economic aspect or viewpoint?
Example Economic impacts of drug testing
Narrowed Economic impacts of drug testing on welfare recipients
Ask Yourself Is there an individual or group relevant to my topic?
Example Performance enhancing drugs
Narrowed Performance enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball
Brock University. (n.d.). Refine your topic. https://researchguides.library.brocku.ca/researchfoundations/refinetopic
Your topic or research question could potentially be too narrow or specific to find enough information. Since most topics involve multiple aspects and different contexts, you may need to broaden your topic to find acceptable resources. When expanding your topic, make sure it still reflects the same main idea. Here are some techniques to help broaden your topic.
Ask Yourself Is my topic too specific? Can I use more general terms to describe the topic?
Example Ethanol fuel production
Broadened Ethanol fuel production in the past five years
Ask Yourself Is there another way to say my topic? Are there any related terms?
Example Road safety in Ontario
Broadened Vehicle safety in Eastern Canada
Ask Yourself Am I trying to research too many concepts at a time? Can I eliminate one or more?
Example Traffic regulation effects on light truck crashes in people under 30
Broadened Traffic regulations and truck crashes
Ask Yourself Is my topic so new that there is not much research yet? Can I look at a larger issue instead?
Example Football related concussions this year
Broadened Football related injuries in the past five years
Brock University. (n.d.). Refine your topic. https://researchguides.library.brocku.ca/researchfoundations/refinetopic