Breaking down your research topic

Regardless of your topic, you will have to critically think about what information you will need to gather to answer the question, and where you will have to search to find that information.  The approach and the resources will vary significantly from group to group with some bits of information being easy to find, and some being difficult to find.  To get you to think about what you will need to find, and where you will need to look to find that information, let's take a look at a practice example:

Bridges at Cayuga Heights – Feasibility Study – Ithaca, NY

Students choosing this project will research and produce a metrics-driven document to support the need for upscale independent, but supported, living in the Ithaca area.  The goal would be to support a business plan which will be provided to a bank with marketing analysis that incorporates both national and local data to substantiate a strong need.  If there are ways to also incorporate information about the benefits to the community - information that could be used in presentations to the Mayor, Building Commissioner and Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Board, that would be a bonus.  Financial projects as to the viability of the project will be required. 

  • What pieces of information will we need to answer this question?
  • How and where will we be able to find this information?  If you are not sure, think "who would collect this information?"

Research Log