Communication 4620 - Communication Capstone

Often when beginning research, it's hard to tell where exactly you'll end up. It can be tempting to cast a really wide net and look for a broad range of resources. However, what can happen is you end up with too many choices and no way of narrowing down your focus. 

If this sounds like you - try the "4 Ws" to narrow down your research. 

Who - Can you narrow your topic to a specific person or group of people?

     Example: How do companies communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How does Hobby Lobby communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How do video game companies communicate during a crisis situation?

Where - Can you narrow your topic to a specific geographic location, like a specific neighborhood,

city, state, region, or country?

     Example: How do companies communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How do companies based in the mid-west communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How do companies in Japan communicate during a crisis situation?

When - Can you narrow your topic to a specific time?

     Example: How do companies communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How did companies communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic?

     Narrower: How did companies communicate during the Great Depression?

Why - Can you narrow your topic to a specific circumstance or method?

     Example: How do companies communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: What social media is used when companies communicate during a crisis situation?

     Narrower: How did Tide respond as a company when the "Tide Pod Challenge" was trending on social media?