Observe the Topic Firsthand

Observing something for yourself allows you to learn about a topic without filtering it through the interpretation of other writers. If you are considering a topic that focuses on a particular place, event, or activity, you might want to conduct one or more observations. If you’re interested in a local issue, for example, you might attend a community meeting and listen to what people have to say. If you’re interested in the impact of parental involvement in youth sports, you might spend time at a youth soccer game. If you’re interested in connections between fast food and health issues, you might spend time watching people place their orders at a fast-food restaurant. See more on planning and conducting observations.