In this chapter we discuss how to explore your interests to find a topic, narrow it to a manageable scope, question it to find the makings of a problem, then turn it into a problem that guides your research. If you are an experienced researcher or already know what topics you want to pursue and why, you might skip to chapter 4. But if you are starting your first project, you will find this chapter useful.

Source

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2003). The craft of research. University of Chicago press.