Criminology Sources: Developing a Research Question

• Understand the assignment!     
• What are the requirements?
• Use analytical thinking and strong arguments.

Developing a Thesis:

Questions to consider while doing your research:

               What is the purpose of the assignment?

               What kind of information will you need to find?

               What types of sources will you need?

               How will you search for them?

               Where will you find these sources?

               Why is this topic important?

               Why would your readers be interested in this topic?

               How will you convince them?

               How does your topic connect to present day conditions in society?

​When you do background research you can find:

• Words or phrases that are specific to your topic.
• Information that answers basic information on your topic. 
• Major ideas related to your topic.
• People, places, time periods that are relevant to your topic.
• Additional readings on your topic.

Research is fluid / Research is a process

• Information Gathering
• Thinking
• Reflecting / Analyzing / Evaluating
• Summary of source
• Ask yourself:  What is the purpose of the source?   How will this source support your argument?
• Revising