UMass Amherst

Narrowing Topics into Focused Questions

The UCLA Library provides a number of quick routes from research topics that are too broad or too narrow to clearly focused research questions. This one is particularly easy to remember--just follow the W's.

Following the W's

(Adapted from UCLA Library’s “Help Guides”)

Begin with a general topic or theme. Then apply some specific questions to it:

• What is your general topic?
• What time period do you want to cover?
• What geographic region do you want to focus on?
• What person or group is involved?


What?
(topic)

domestic economic situation


When?
(time period)

1979-present


Where?
(geographic region)

Iran


Who?
(person or group)


Fundamentalist vs. progressive


Question:

 


How does the economic situation of fundamentalist men and women in Iran compare with that of progressive men and women since the Islamic Revolution?