Brainstorming

In order to develop your research question (or even your topic), you will need to brainstorm. Two useful techniques are mind mapping and conducting preliminary research.

Mind Mapping

A mind map is a visual representation of ideas and their relationships. It can help you explore a topic with which you are unfamiliar, organize your thoughts on a topic, and draw connections between ideas. Mind mapping is a valuable tool to use while brainstorming and conducting preliminary research.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a visual representation of ideas and their relationships. It can help you explore a topic with which you are unfamiliar, organize your thoughts on a topic, and draw connections between ideas.

When is a mind map useful?

Since a mind map shows how ideas are related to each other, they can help you explore a new topic. Like when writing a research paper!

• Use a mind map to write down all of the questions you have about your topic before you start looking for information.
• Use those questions to guide your search for more information and to identify keywords that would make good search terms.
• As desired, expand and revise your mind map with new information and connections as you search.

How do I create a mind map?

There are no rules! Use any colors, shapes, or designs. Just place the main idea in the center of the mind map, and all other ideas or questions will radiate out from the main idea.

Download our Mind Mapping Worksheet and try it yourself!

1. Place your research question or topic in the center.
2. In the surrounding bubbles, write in questions you may have or ideas associated with your main idea.
3. Beside the bubbles, jot down information you find that answers your question or clarifies an idea.

flowchart TD
    topic((teen body image)) --> q1
    topic --> q2
    q1([Exercise]) --> a1(Duration and type)
    q2([Social Media Effects]) --> a2(Negative moods and mood swings)
    classDef default fill:#fff,stroke:#7b2b89,stroke-width:2px;

Preliminary Research

An important part of brainstorming is conducting preliminary research. When writing a research paper on a topic you aren’t familiar with, preliminary research provides basic facts about the topic. This introductory knowledge is essential to refining your research topic and question.

As you conduct your research, jot down words, names, and concepts that you come across. Write them down in a mind map (see above) if desired.

Where to do Preliminary Research?

Tertiary sources and popular sources are great places to do preliminary research.

Tertiary Sources

• Tertiary sources include dictionaries, encyclopedias, textbooks, and handbooks.
• It is a fancy way of saying “a type of source that outlines widely accepted facts about a topic.”
• These sources will not include information about recent events and topics, as it takes a while for facts to be discussed and debated before being widely accepted.
• Also see the "Types of Sources" lesson

Popular Sources

• Popular sources include magazines and newspapers.
• These are sources written for a general audience, not experts in any particular field. Anyone should be able to pick up a magazine or newspaper article and understand it.
• These sources are good for more recent and ongoing events. However, keep in mind that popular sources are the first rough draft of history; while they provide accurate in-the-moment information, they lack the in-depth analysis and abundance of facts that will be available in the future.
• Also see the "Types of Sources" lesson

Refining Your Topic

After brainstorming and conducting some preliminary research around the topic vegetarians, your topic may get more refined.

Taking the Next Step

Now that you have brainstormed your topic (including preliminary research as needed), you are ready to develop your research question.