This clear and easy to understand explanation of how to focus your topic for effective research will be helpful to many. There are plenty of examples, and two alternate methods are offered as well.

Welcome to Research 4 Success (R4S)! The course is designed to supplement the instruction of research and information literacy skills for students in grades 9-12. Purpose and Design of the CourseR4S consists of six learning units. The six units can be used together or they can be used individually. Each unit contains three lessons. Each lesson has resources and activities to supplement the instruction of research, inquiry, and information literacy skills.Students learn key skills using a combination of videos, digital texts, and eBooks.Students practice key skills using a combination of templates, tasks, and interactives. Students apply the skills they have learned and practice as they develop a research project under the guidance of an educator. 

To become an effective, creative researcher, and problem solver the first step is to begin with good, solid questions that will focus your topic and guide your research. Each lesson includes activities and resources selected to help students learn, practice, and apply research skills. In this unit, students will learn how to develop a research topic, practice developing research questions, and apply strategies to develop research topics and questions. 

Learn how to become an effective, creative researcher and problem solver! Begin with good, solid questions that focus on your research topic or solution to a problem. Use the videos in this unit to learn how to develop a research topic.