Information Literacy 202202 1

Activity 1 Worksheet

Introduction:
The research process begins with Step 1 Planning.
Research is a methodical and systematic process, which involves six steps. It begins with
the first step, which is the Planning Step. This exercise is the first part of the planning
process.
Instruction
After looking at the videos in the “Developing your topic” topic of the module,
choose a subject and do the following:
a. Select your broad subject, for example, your major or something in which you are
interested and which is suitable for research
b. Look for background information on the topic. This would include information in
reference tools such as encyclopedias, biographical sources, statistics, etc. or
reputable websites
c. Narrow the subject to a topic for research by asking and answering questions:
a. What aspect of the topic am I interested in?
b. Which person or persons are involved? (who)
c. Is there a time period that I am interested in? (when)
d. Why or How did particular occurrences take place?

d. State your narrow topic by answering one or more of the questions

e. After considering the narrow topic, identify the specific topic which you will be
researching.

Example:

 Select a broad subject discipline e.g. Education

 Narrow your research topic to a specific sub-topic of the discipline e.g. Online
Education
 Narrow the specific sub-topic to a focused group e.g. Online education and
college students.
 Even more specific e.g. Issues that impact college students in online education.

Complete the following with your answers;

 Broad Subject Discipline: --- -----------------------------

 Specific sub-topic of the Discipline --------------------------
Information Literacy 202202 2
Activity 1 Worksheet

 Narrow your specific sub-topic to a focused group

---------------------------------
 Make it Even more specific
--------------------------------------------------------------

Using the Smart Art Graph in Microsoft Word illustrate the hierarchical
breakdown of your topic for example:

Inverted Pyramid Graphic demonstrating the development of a broad to a narrower

topic

Education

O nline Education

Issues
O nline education
that and
college
imstudents.
pac
t
colleg
e
stude
nts in
onlin
e
educa
tion

Create an Inverted Pyramid Graphic demonstrating the development of your broad to

narrower topic
Information Literacy 202202 3
Activity 1 Worksheet

Research Question: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesis Statement:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------