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Module 2: Identifying a Topic

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2.4 Narrowing the Topic

A question that is too broad may retrieve too much information. Here are some strategies for narrowing the scope of a question. They may be used individually or in combinations.

Strategy

Explanation

EXAMPLE TOPIC:
"Internet Security"

Time

time

Since 1990? This year? In the future?

 

Current Internet security initiatives.

Place

globe

Local social norms & values, economic & political systems, or languages.

Internet security initiatives in the U.S

Population

man and woman

Gender, age, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, educational attainment, species, etc.

Filtering software and childrens' access to Internet pornography

Viewpoint

eye

Social, legal, medical, ethical, biological, psychological, economic, political, philosophical? A viewpoint allows you to focus on a single aspect.

The constitutionality of Internet filtering technology

Module 2
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