Los Angeles Valley College Library: Sociology Research Guide : Develop a Topic

Explore & Refine

Explore Your Topic
Refine Your Topic

A hiker cresting a mountain with the word "Explore"

Before you develop your research topic or question, you'll need to do some background research first.

Some good places to find background information:

Your textbook or class readings
Encyclopedias and reference books
Credible websites
Library databases

Try the library databases below to explore your topic. When you're ready, move on to refining your topic.

Find Background Information:

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Browse the Subjects on the left side of the page (e.g., Social Science) to explore encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources covering a wide range of subject areas.
Opposing Viewpoints In Context This link opens in a new window
Check the "Browse Issues" tab to explore a lengthy list of controversial social issues. Click on an issue link to see pro/con viewpoint essays; full-text magazine, academic journal, and news articles; statistical tables, charts, and graphs; images, videos; audio files, and more.

Social Issues in America by James Ciment
Publication Date: 2015
Arranged in A-Z format for quick access - this eight-volume set is a one-source reference for anyone researching the historical and contemporary details of major issues confronting American society. Each entry discusses the historical origins of the problem or debate; past means used to deal with the issue; the current controversy surrounding the issue from all perspectives; and the near-term and future implications for society.
The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology by Bryan S. Turner (Ed.)
Publication Date: 2006
Featuring over 600 entries, from concise definitions to discursive essays, written by leading international academics, the Dictionary offers a truly global perspective, examining both American and European traditions and approaches. Entries cover schools, theories, theorists and debates, with substantial articles on all key topics in the field. Most entries incorporate references for further reading and a cross-referencing system enables easy access to related areas.

a glass beaker with gold liquid inside with the word "Refine" at the top

Now that you've done some background research, it's time to narrow your topic. Remember: the shorter your final paper, the narrower your topic needs to be. Here are some suggestions for narrowing and defining your topic:

Is there a specific subset of the topic you can focus on?
Is there a cause and effect relationship you can explore?
Is there an unanswered question on the subject?
Can you focus on a specific time period or group of people?

Describe and develop your topic in some detail. Try filling in the blanks in the following sentence, as much as you can:

I want to research ____(what/who)____ and ____(what/who)____

in ____(where)____ during ____(when)____ because ____(why)____.

Example: I want to research the health care industry and social class/identity in the United States during the pandemic because I came across a news story that said the "poor" and "people of color" were much more likely to die of COVID (and things like cancer) than others.

Video: How to Narrow Your Topic

The following video [3:34] will give you tips for narrowing your topic. Note: clicking on the image below will open the video in a new tab or window.