Research paper topic? HELP!!

[Snow White]

I am hoping SOMEONE can give me a nudge... I'm taking my first college courses this semester...after being a mom at home for 20 years (my 20th high school reunion is this weekend!). I have to have a working topic for a research paper for my Comp I class by Tuesday. She said to use a topic I'm interested in, or familiar with. Hmmm...vacuuming, dusting, running to soccer practice...they just don't seem to fit the bill! Any wonderful ideas out there? Geesh...picking the topic better be the tough part, or I'm really up a creek! Thanks in advance!

 

[piratesmate]

First - Good for you! I wish you every success!

Second - Don't panic! You still have some time to do a Google search to see what kind of info is out there on whatever topic you choose. It's a good idea to do this before turning in your topic. DD found this out last year - she's 12 & didn't want to take MY word for it & had to learn the hard way.

I know you were making a joke when you said that you were most familiar with "vacuuming, dusting, running to soccer practice" but you know, you may have a good topic there! I would think that there would be quite a bit out there on Moms (or just older people in general - i.e. not recent HS grads) returning to school. The trend was just starting when I was in college (1970 - 1973) so I'd think there'd be some good research out there by now.

Or change the focus a bit & do SAH Moms returning to the work force instead of going to school.

Look around on Google before deciding which aspect of the topic you want to pursue...like the emotional toll on the student or how it affects the family. Try not to get too specific & "paint youself into a corner" but not too general either.

Or . . . . . you can choose an aspect of WDW or the Disney franchise that sounds interesting to you . . . .

 

[CEDmom]

I think it's great you're back to school and I'm wishing you all the best. In all seriousness like piratesmate said you could turn your experience into a research paper. How about the evolution of cleaning products/machines. Here are a few ideas:

- Washboards to hightech washing machines
- straw brooms to mops to swiffer
- rags to synthetic sponges to disposable clothes

Or how about how soccer has become a marketable sport in the US. Or even the creation of the minivan.

Good luck

 

[Pin Wizard]

That has to be tough to make a choice. I'm also back in school after mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnny years! LOL! At least in our class we were given a choice of several topics, then picked one of those. I'd be lost if I had to choose anything in the world! LOL! Is there something you feel strongly about or something that really interests you? Good luck!!

 

[Sandy51]

When I assign something open-ended to my 7th graders, I tell them they will do the best work if they choose a topic that they know or have an interest in. What are you passionate about? When you read for pleasure, what subjects interest you? It's tough to get worked up about a topic you care nothing about. Good luck in all of your schooling.

Sandy

 

[msteddom]

Good for you for going back to school!!!! I really like piratesmate's idea of centering your paper around some aspect of being a stay at home mom. It's an area you have firsthand experience in, and it will give thhe professor a chance to get to know you a little. Both are good things in a paper topic. Good luck!!!


Melissa

 

[JDY]

What about something to do with Disney...you are obviously interested in it.

* Project X
* Imagineering
* History behind WDW/DL Main street

Good Luck

 

[Val]

Using your library's subscription search services (e.g., OVID, FirstSearch, Medline or one of those) do a search using SUBJECT and type in :returning student", "nontraditional learner", etc.....you should get a large number of hits; from there keep narrowing by your subject/topic interest using the keywords that come up. When you've got it narrowed to 10-20 sources you know you have a do-able topic

It is REALLY important that you use academic sources, and not just GOOGLE sources. While searches like Google are a great start, they are not considered academic (referred books and journals), and using ONLY stuff you find online from a source like google could seriously compromise your grade.

Your library should be accessible from your home computer. Ask your librarian or call the computer help desk on campus and they can tell you how to get in.

FirstSearch, by the way, has a large number of articles that are available on line- great when you have an impending deadline.

 

[SoonerKate]

LexisNexis is also a great source for information. I've had to write plenty of research papers in the past couple of years.

Is there a movie you really like? Film journals like Film Quarterly should be available at your library, either online or the actual journals, and they're a wealth of information. From your favorite film, you could expand that into a paper on a genre, a director, a school of film theory (Marxist theory, feminist theory..there are tons and tons of them.), almost anything.

Article1st is a good place to find journal articles and academic magazine articles.

Most libraries have a website -- you might try libraries.yourschool.edu, or go to your school's main site and search for it. From my library's site, I can access all sorts of databases and e-books which can be great sources.

Be careful not to use too many words when you're searching online -- it's easier to find "Finding Nemo" than "finding nemo disney pixar animated film." Then you can start narrowing down your search terms.

 

[Snow White]

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice!!! I'm narrowing it down and will make my decision by Tues. night. (we have to turn in a working topic then). Thanks a bunch!!!!

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by Val
......It is REALLY important that you use academic sources, and not just GOOGLE sources. While searches like Google are a great start, they are not considered academic (referred books and journals), and using ONLY stuff you find online from a source like google could seriously compromise your grade.......

Val is absolutely right. The Google search suggestion was simply for narrowing down your choices - to make sure that you will be able to find info on your topic.

 

[camper]

Hello Snow White
I'm taking my first college courses after being out of high school for 25 years! I don't have english comp this semester, but I"m thinking of using a disney related subject next semester.
Are you attending a large college? The one I am going to is a community college with lots of older students.

 

[Snow White]

Camper,
I'm attending a Community College right by my house. It offers an RN program (3 to 4 year plan), but I'm still debating on maybe teaching elementary. Guess I need to decide. The thread going on now about the nursing profession isn't too encouraging though. Most of my class are adults in the evenings. I know the day classes have lots of younger people though. Good luck to you!!!!