Step 3: Explore Your Topic - SPPS Research Process - Research Guides at Saint Paul Public Schools

Explore Your Topic

So you've picked a topic - now you'll spend some time exploring background information with the intent of finding a focus. You are not collecting resources or taking lots of notes at this stage (that comes in step 5)!

Explore Chart
Use this chart to help narrow your topic.
Explore Wheel
Use this graphic organizer to help narrow your topic.

Search for Your Topic in General Resources

Britannica School Edition
Encyclopedia articles on a variety of topics with multimedia resources. Learn More
Gale In Context: High School
News content including full-text newspapers and periodicals, reference works, biographies, essays, and video for secondary students. Learn More
Wikipedia
Good starting place for an overview of your topic. You can also find keywords you can use to explore your topic in more reliable resources.

Search for Your Topic in Subject Resources

TEACHERS - Work with your school librarian to include project-specific resources here.

Will this topic work for me?

Review this checklist to make sure your topic is the right one for you and for this project.

I am interested in learning more about this topic.
I found enough results that I think I will be able to get the information that I need about this topic.
My topic follows the guidelines of the assignment.

SPPS Research Process: Step 3: Explore Your Topic

Explore Your Topic

Search for Your Topic in General Resources

Search for Your Topic in Subject Resources

Will this topic work for me?