A question that is too broad may retrieve too much information. Here
are some strategies for narrowing the scope of a question. They may be used individually or in combinations.
 |
Strategy |
|
Explanation |
|
EXAMPLE TOPIC:
"Internet Security" |
|
Time
 |
|
Since 1990? This year? In the future?
|
|
Current Internet security initiatives. |
|
|
Place
 |
|
Local social norms & values, economic & political
systems, or languages. |
|
Internet security initiatives in the U.S |
|
Population
 |
|
Gender, age, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, educational attainment,
species, etc. |
|
Filtering software and childrens'
access to Internet pornography |
|
Viewpoint
 |
|
Social, legal, medical, ethical, biological, psychological,
economic, political, philosophical? A viewpoint allows you to focus
on a single aspect.
|
|
The constitutionality of Internet
filtering technology
|
