Why Use a Question Rather Than a Topic?

Many students try to focus their library search by trying to research a "topic." Three problems are related to this approach.

First, if the topic is too abstract or general--that is, not concrete or specific enough--it can lead to the complaint that "I can't find anything."

Second, even if the topic is narrowed, a search can lead to too much information.

Third, even a search on a narrowed topic can result in a small number of unrelated books and articles--leading to an unfocused research project.