Choose your subject

Find something you are interested in:
• by brainstorming: list all the ideas and questions about the topic
• by browsing textbooks and course outline
• by talking to experts in the field, e.g. lecturers

Narrow your subject

Think through your subject for at least three significant narrowings.
For Example: Discrimination (general topic):
• Discrimination against women (whom?)
• Discrimination against women at work (what occasion?)
• Discrimination against women at work in Hong Kong (where?)

Focus on the subject

Crystallize your idea into a question. Data collection should be aimed at answering this question. This will give you the needed focus for gathering relevant materials.