Choosing a broad topic sets the foundation as the first step in the Stripling and Pitts Research Process Model

Outline sketch (quick lighthouse moments)

• Hook: curiosity fuels research journeys in media studies.

• Big idea: in the Stripling and Pitts model, the first move is choosing a broad topic.

• Why this matters: it creates room to explore, compare angles, and avoid scope creep.

• How to do it: practical tips like brainstorming, mind-mapping, and talking with peers.

• A concrete walk-through: from a broad topic to a focused question, with a media lens.

• Finding sources without chaos: quick strategies and trusted places to look.

• Pitfalls to sidestep: too broad, too narrow, or missing the audience.

• Close: curiosity plus structure—your research compass for media topics.

Now, the article

Starting with curiosity is not a cheesy cliché. It’s the fuel that powers any solid research journey, especially when you’re navigating the fast-moving world of media. Think of the Stripling and Pitts Research Process Model as a friendly road map. The first move? Choose a broad topic. Yes, that’s the opening door. It might feel simple, but it sets the stage for everything that follows. If you start with a broad topic, you keep your options open long enough to notice intriguing angles, angles you might have missed if you tried to pin things down too early.

Why a broad topic? Let me explain. When you pick something wide, you give yourself permission to explore, compare, and question. You’re not locking yourself into one narrow path before you’ve even peered down it. By starting broad, you can spot connections between ideas, uncover gaps in what’s known, and surface angles that feel relevant to real-world media conversations. In a field that shifts with new platforms, changing policies, and evolving audience habits, that flexibility is priceless.

Let’s frame it with a real-world media example. Suppose your initial impulse is “the role of social media in youth culture.” That sounds promising, right? It’s broad enough to touch on identity, information flows, civic engagement, and even mental health. But it’s not a single banner you hang over a single study. It’s a landscape you can walk around, observe from different corners, and jot down questions as you go. You might notice that a lot of conversations revolve around misinformation, peer influence, or platform design. Those observations become the breadcrumbs that guide you toward a narrower, more workable focus.

Here’s the thing about starting broad: it buys you time to ask good questions. You can brainstorm a spectrum of angles—automation in media, local news ecosystems online, the way classrooms use media literacy, or the impact of memes on public discourse. Each thread is a potential lane to explore, and none of them require you to declare a final destination right away. This is not dithering; it’s deliberate exploration. When you finally choose a path, you’ll do so with the confidence that you’ve surveyed a meaningful portion of the terrain.

How to pick a broad topic without getting overwhelmed

• Begin with a loose map. On a big sheet of paper or a digital canvas, write down broad themes you’re curious about—media literacy, digital storytelling, audience engagement, news ecosystems, or platform ethics. Don’t censor yourself yet; just capture the ideas.

• Do a quick, friendly skim. A 10- to 15-minute scan of recent articles, podcasts, or classroom resources helps you feel what’s current and what’s ongoing in the field. You’re not writing yet; you’re listening to the field’s heartbeat.

• Talk it out. A quick chat with a classmate, a mentor, or a teacher librarian can spark angles you hadn’t considered. People push your thinking in new directions, and that’s exactly what you want at this stage.

• Note candidate angles. From your broad list, pick 3–5 angles that feel both interesting and manageable. Treat them as potential pathways rather than final truths.

• Check the fit. Ask simple questions: Is there enough material to investigate? Will the angle sustain a focused question? Does it connect to what you care about in media fields?

A practical walk-through: from broad to a focused question

Let’s take a concrete path so this isn’t just abstract talk. Start with a broad topic like “media literacy and youth.” It’s broad enough to cover critical thinking online, evaluation of sources, and representation in media. Now, ask: which specific problem within that broad topic excites you? You might land on “the impact of algorithmic feeds on adolescent news consumption.” That narrows the concern to a particular mechanism (algorithms) and a specific group (adolescents) while staying true to the broader theme of media literacy. Finally, you refine toward a workable research question, such as: How do algorithmic recommendation systems shape the way high school students encounter political information online, and what factors influence their ability to evaluate credibility?

That last step—the narrowing—happens after you’ve given yourself time with the broad topic. It’s not a crime to spend a good chunk of time exploring. In fact, it’s essential. The goal is to move from a general curiosity to a precise inquiry you can tackle with clarity. The thesis you’ll eventually craft will emerge from those focused questions, and it’s much stronger when it’s rooted in a well-explored landscape.

Thesis, sources, and the rhythm of a solid research arc

Once you’ve pinned down a narrower topic, the next logical move in the Stripling and Pitts sequence is developing a thesis. A thesis is not a slogan; it’s the claim you’re going to argue, demonstrate, or analyze. For our narrowed topic, a thesis might look like: “Algorithmic feeds influence how adolescents understand current events, but media literacy education can mitigate misperceptions by strengthening source evaluation skills.” It’s a mouthful only if you try to say it without the groundwork. With the broad topic’s exploration behind you, this thesis feels like a natural extension—an answer to a well-posed question, not a guess.

Finding sources comes next, but here’s the trick: you’re not collecting sources as an end in itself. You’re building a body of evidence that helps test your thesis. Start with a mix of sources—peer-reviewed articles for rigor, reputable media outlets for immediacy, and professional associations or think tanks for practical angles. In the world of media studies, you’ll likely reach for databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, ERIC, and academic libraries, complemented by current white papers or industry reports. As you gather sources, keep track of how each one speaks to your question. Does it support your claim, challenge it, or raise a new nuance you hadn’t considered? The answers matter more than the sheer volume.

A lean, human workflow you can actually follow

• Brainstorm broadly for 15–20 minutes; let ideas flow without judgment.

• Pick 3–5 candidate angles and jot down quick questions for each.

• Do a rapid skim of 2–3 sources for each angle to gauge feasibility.

• Choose one angle that feels both interesting and researchable.

• Draft a focused research question and a working thesis.

• Gather a balanced mix of sources, taking notes that capture key points and potential counterarguments.

• Refine your question and thesis as you uncover more evidence.

Common missteps (and how to sidestep them)

• Too broad, too vague. If your topic could fill a library, you’re not there yet. Narrow down to a specific issue, audience, or setting.

• Ignoring the audience. Think about who will read your work and why your question matters to them—teachers, librarians, media professionals, or even students.

• Skipping the scaffolding. It’s tempting to rush to a thesis, but you’ll save time later if you give equity to the exploratory phase.

• Relying on a single source type. Balance scholarly articles with current reporting and practitioner perspectives. That mix makes your analysis richer.

• Getting lost in jargon. You’re writing for a diverse audience. Explain specialized terms and connect them to everyday media experiences.

A media-minded mindset: why this matters in classrooms and libraries

Media specialists juggle information literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship. The first step—choosing a broad topic—fits right into that mission. It models a healthy research habit for students: start wide, observe the landscape, and let questions emerge. In classrooms, this approach translates into more engaging discussions, clearer project scaffolds, and stronger teacher-student collaborations. In libraries, it aligns with helping patrons navigate vast information ecosystems—teaching them how to map ideas, evaluate sources, and articulate thoughtful questions.

Let me connect with a quick analogy. Think of your research process as shopping for a vacation. The broad topic is the destination idea—“I want to see new places.” Narrowing is picking a region or a city—“I’ll focus on coastal towns in Portugal.” The thesis acts like your itinerary—“We’ll explore how coastal towns balance old-world charm with modern tourist demands.” The sources are your travel guides, local blogs, and firsthand accounts, giving you a credible map for what to do and what not to miss. Suddenly, the process feels practical and human, not abstract theory.

Putting it all together with a steady rhythm

The first step in the Stripling and Pitts model—choosing a broad topic—keeps the door open while you gather the first impressions from the field. It’s a deliberate choice to respect the curiosity you bring to media topics, while also setting up a structure that will keep your work focused and coherent. The movement from broad to narrow, from question to thesis, and from there to sources, is not a straight line. It’s a dance, a rhythm you learn to listen to, adjusting as new evidence arrives or as your audience’s needs evolve.

In the end, you’re not just producing a piece of writing. You’re modeling a way of thinking aloud about media—the way to question, test, and refine ideas in a context that matters. Choosing a broad topic is the starting line, and it’s a powerful one. It invites curiosity without surrendering rigor. It gives you space to ask meaningful questions and a clear path to answer them with credibility.

If you’re ever unsure about your starting point, remember this simple checkpoint: does this broad topic feel like a landscape you can explore from multiple angles? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track. The rest—narrowing, drafting a thesis, locating sources—will flow from that moment of confident, open-ended inquiry. And that, more than anything, is how great media research begins.