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EEP417 Research Skills Guide: Keywords (Topic Analysis)

Topic analysis

A topic analysis will help you to clarify and understand what your assessment question is asking you to do.

You will generally be given three key pieces of information:

  1. The key topic or concept words direct you in what to research.
  2. The limits or qualifiers tell you the specific focus of the topic or concept.
  3. The task or instruction terms tell how you are to deal with the content. Charles Sturt University has a list of explanations for common instruction words.

 

Your EEP417 assessment item 4 is a Reflective Essay on an Ethical Dilemma and subject reflection

The ‘best interests of the child’ (Article 3.1 UNCRC) is not always easy to identify particularly in situations that present us with an ethical dilemma. Use slides to discuss your chosen dilemma and consider the ERC in relation to children's rights (as defined by UNHCR) and the determination of the children's best interests. 
* Please check your subject outline for the full requirements for this assessment task.

 

Based on your assessment item, let's identify some instruction words, qualifying words and key concepts.

Instruction words discuss, consider
Qualifying words & phrases in relation to children's rights
Key concepts ethical dilemma, best interests, well-being

Topic analysis

Find additional keywords

Dictionaries and encyclopaedias can help you to find additional keywords and get an overview of the concept.

Oxford Reference Online is a huge repository of subject-specific dictionaries, encyclopaedias, and other reference-type material.

Activity 1: Topic analysis & keywords

Write down the key concepts from your topic and have a go at brainstorming as many alternative keywords and phrases as possible.

Thinking about your topic in this way forces you to describe your topic in "other words", which will provide you with some useful keyword alternatives as well as help you to cement your understanding of the topic.

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