Before considering what literature to use, first identify a topic to study and reflect on whether it is practical and useful to undertake the study. The topic in the subject or subject matter of a proposed study. Such as “faculty teaching,” “organizational creativity,” or “psychological stress.” Describe the topic in a few words or in short phrases. The topic becomes the central idea to learn about or to explore.
There are several ways that researchers gain some insight into their topics when they are initially planning their research (my assumption is that the topic is chosen by the researcher and not by an adviser or committee member). One way is to draft a brief working title to the study. I am surprised at how often researchers fail to draft a title early in the development of their projects. In my opinion, the working or draft title becomes a major road sign in research-a tangible idea that the researcher can keep refocusing on and changing as the project goes on (see Glesne & Peshkin, 1992). It becomes an orienting device. I find that in my research, this topic grounds me and provides a sign of what I am studying, as well as a sign useful for conveying to others the central notion of my study. When students first provide their research project idea to me, I often ask them to supply a working title if they do not already have one written down on paper.
