Once you have decided upon a topic, it is important that you focus on a specific issue. This is what we mean by defining the topic. You need to do this because in-depth research into a specific topic yields more interesting results than superficial research into a broad topic. An example of a well-defined topic is ‘the commuter mobility of self-employed people based in Maastricht’; ‘commuting in the Netherlands’ is a much broader topic.

The breadth of your topic depends on the length of your report; the amount of words you have to convey your message. There is a rule of thumb for the length of an assignment: you can go 10% above or 10% below the agreed word limit.

Before you start defining your topic, you will need to do plenty of background reading. By studying a number of sources, you will discover different aspects of and approaches to your topic. You may also come across possible gaps in research that has already been done; areas that have not been examined or results that contradict each other. Only when you have mapped out all possibilities can you really start to narrow in on a subtopic. During this preliminary stage you will also make a start on the bibliography. Do not be disappointed if you read sources that turn out to be irrelevant later on. That is all part of the preparation phase of a research project.

It makes sense to start with the most accessible sources of information. That might be a documentary or a Wikipedia entry. To make sure your research has a solid basis, you should then consult academic resources.