University of British Columbia Library York University Libraries Rare Books and Special Collections Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections

Choosing your topic

Visiting an archives usually comes later in the research process because archives contain raw materials, much like the ingredients in a recipe. When you don't have a clear idea of what you are looking for, doing research in an archives may become overwhelming.

Choosing and focusing your topic are the first steps to take in any research process

Following, is an example of the focusing process:

Original topic: Commercial development in the city of Vancouver


FOCUS
    
 
FOCUS: Commercial development in the 1000 block of Robson Street in the early 20th century
     



FOCUS 		   
     

FOCUS: Shift from residential to commercial dwellings at 1001-1010 Robson Street from 1900-1950

Examples of materials you may wish to consult:
 Photographs, Archival materials , Subject guides , Pamphlets, brochures and other published materials , Maps
For more examples of the focusing process, please click here.
TIPS
To focus, ask questions: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN?
WHEN - focus on a particular range of dates (e.g. 1950-1970)
WHERE - focus on a particular area, block or address of the city
WHO - focus on a business or important family/person
CONSIDER
Length of assignment - 25 pages? Or, 5 pages?
When is your assignment due? Do you have 1 year or 4 days?

To identify archival holdings potentially relevant to your topic,
it is helpful to do background research.
Go to the next section for more information.

 
 

Created May 2006
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Last modified: Jul 12, 07

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