Research Process

The Library cannot provide guidance on choosing, narrowing down, or developing their research topic. Please contact your Professors and Dissertation Chair, or consult the Dissertation Center for assistance. We have also provided recommended resources below.

However, the Library can assist you with searching for scholarly literature on potential topic ideas. You may contact us via phone, chat, Ask a Librarian, or schedule a one-on-one research consultation appointment. During a research consultation, reference librarians can help you with the following:

• Developing your research strategy
• Identifying relevant databases and journals
• Finding and evaluating information resources
• Discovering alternative search terms for your topic
• Using advanced search techniques for specific databases
• Narrowing your search results

For more information about the Research Consultation service and to book a session, please refer to the Research Consultations LibGuide. When filling out the form, please be as thorough as possible to allow us to fully prepare for our session. All sessions are held through Zoom.

Use the Academic Success Center website to learn about coaching and access writing, statistics, editing, and APA Style resources. They also provide a step-by-step guide to narrowing a research topic.

For questions about academic coaching services, please contact the Academic Success Center via their Ask a Coach page. On this page, you can search their FAQs, ask a question, or chat live with a coach via ASC Chat.

The Center for Teaching and Learning and our Guest Presenter, Dr. Brian Allen, School of Business, help students with narrowing down their research topic, especially dissertation students.