Research Guides: GEOL 1405 SE St. Julien : Choosing a Topic

Choosing the Right Topic for You

For this project, you can select any topic related to human-generated environmental harm. You should have received several ideas with your assignment instructions, but you are also free to choose your own topic. The success of a research project depends on the topic being a good fit for both you and the assignment parameters, so choose carefully.

A good topic:

Matches your interests
Has the potential to be presented visually
Is narrowed down enough to fit in the poster space

Choosing the Right Research Topic for You
Need more guidance? This short tutorial will walk you through what makes a good research topic.

Finding Ideas

Students sometimes struggle with finding the right topic. Potential places to look for ideas for this project include

Class materials such as your textbook or assigned readings
Library databases that provide lists of relevant topic overviews and summaries
- Environmental Studies: Gale in Context
- Global Issues: Gale in Context
Reputable environmental and humanitarian organizations
Websites for high-quality academic journals such as Nature
Local newspapers and news programs covering regional environmental problems

If you are still having trouble, please talk to your instructor or ask a librarian for help generating ideas. These resources will help you find ideas, but you may need to consult additional library resources to find enough data for your poster.