Identifying a well-defined research topic is the first step for writing a literature review. The topic should cover something from the research field that needs to be explored. This will ensure that your contribution will be valuable, that you are providing readers with a different angle or perspective on an issue or problem. This was accomplished through your EDUC 702 final paper and annotated bibliography.
Ideally, your topic should tackle or explore a problem that is just the right size. A topic like, teacher leadership in elementary schools is too broad but a topic like teacher leadership groups working grade 3 to 5 numeracy program implementation in inner city schools looks at the problem faced by teachers in a particular content area within a particular school demographic. This gives you a niche within the research field to focus on and explore. Related to implementing a new numeracy program in your school, then your review would include literature on the topics of teacher leadership, grade level, program implementation, and numeracy. The range of topics varies by inquiry, but generally, you are connecting to the ‘pieces’ that make up the ‘puzzle’ of your inquiry.
| Too broad: | Try this: | So the question might be: |
| Relational Leadership and supporting teachers with new curriculum | Relational leadership practices with a group of secondary teachers implementing new curriculum in secondary humanities. | How does relational leadership affect the development of intra- and inter-personal competencies in a department of four secondary teachers involved in implementing new curriculum in the second semester of grade 9 social studies? |
| Mentoring early career teachers through collaborative networks | Mentoring first year teachers in social studies in an elementary school | What mentoring qualities and arrangements are perceived to promote growth in first year teachers teaching in grade 3 social studies in an elementary school? |
| Leadership identities in the context of changing educational policies and curriculum form. | Using transformative learning as a theoretical framework, the study explores a district leader’s identity development. | Are there aspects of a District Curriculum specialist's identity as a leader who is leading a district wide curriculum reform that correlate with Mezirow's theory of transformative learning? |
Often a broad topic can be narrowed by adding one or more criteria, which can include:
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