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Kinesiology 500: Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition: Develop a Topic

Resources for students in KN 500.

Overview

This guide contains information to assist students in planning the literature review portion of their research protocols.

Where to start?

When developing your topic, it's highly recommended you do a preliminary search to learn more about it before trying to find research articles. This can help you narrow it down, collect additional terms or concepts you might search with, and get a good overview so you can provide context for your research.

It's okay to search in Google or Wikipedia for general background information. Textbooks and reference books can also be useful resources.

Consider...

  • Interest (choose something you’ll enjoy researching!)
  • Scope (breadth and depth of a topic)
  • Time (pick something you can successfully address in the given time constraints/due dates)
  • Clarity (know what you’re looking for; refine/adjust as needed)
  • Assignment (follow directions from your professor on topic & paper requirements)

Use PICO

Consider the following aspects of your research topic. It usually helps if you can explain your topic by asking a question or describing it in a single sentence.

P- Patient/Population/Problem

I- Intervention

C- Comparison (if available)

O- Outcome(s)

PICO is not appropriate for every topic.

Detailed tips on topic development