Choosing a Topic
OneSearch, Google Scholar, and subject specific encyclopedias are good starting points for testing your topic and learning more about the terminology used in your discipline.
- OneSearchWestern Libraries online catalog of books, e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more.
- Google ScholarA tool to conduct a broad search for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts, patents, and technical reports.
The SAGE Dictionary of Leisure Studies by Call Number: ebookISBN: 9781412919968Publication Date: 2009-10-02What is Leisure Studies? Who are the key figures in the field? How can we evaluate the relevance of concepts in the field? This full length Dictionary of Leisure Studies, examines key concepts, assesses the work of central figures, and helps students zero-in on essential issues and conceptual distinctions.
Encyclopedia of Play in Today′s Society by Call Number: ebookISBN: 9781412966702Publication Date: 4/2/2009The Encyclopedia of Play: A Social History explores the concept of play in history and modern society in the United States and internationally. Its scope encompasses leisure and recreation activities of children as well as adults throughout the ages, from dice games in the Roman empire to video games today. As an academic social history, it includes the perspectives of several curricular disciplines, from sociology to child psychology, from lifestyle history to social epidemiology.
Drafting an Inquiry Question
After you have landed on a topic, it is helpful to turn that topic into something called an inquiry question. An inquiry question is the central question your research paper or project addresses. It gives direction to your research and guides your writing. Here is an example of a topic being turned into an inquiry question:
Topic: Wedding Based Reality Shows
Inquiry Question: To what extent do wedding based reality shows influence the wedding plans of engaged women in the United States?
Watch the video below to the characteristics of a strong inquiry question and how to draft one yourself.
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