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How to Narrow or Broaden a Search Need to narrow your topic? Focus your topic on one or more of the following: A particular time period or event A specific geographic area or region A particular person, group of people, or population One aspect of the topic (e.g. aesthetic, economic, historical, political, psychological, sociological, &c.) One issue or point related to the topic Is your topic too narrow? (Or so recent that you are having difficulty finding enough information?) Broaden your search by: Exploring related topics or issues Expanding the time period covered Expanding the people, social group, or population considered Expanding the geographic region discussed Comparing or contrasting one topic, issue, social group, or geographic region with another For additional help and suggestions, talk with your professor, stop by the Reference Desk (check hours), or schedule a research consultation.

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