Focus in on the topic, from general to specific

Keep it manageable. A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad, or too narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic -- such as "the environment" -- is to limit your topic. Common ways to limit a topic include: 

by geographic region Example: What environmental issues are most important in the United Arab Emirates? by culture Example: How does the environment fit into the Arab world view?
by time frame Example: What are the biggest environmental issues of the last 5 years?

by discipline   Example: How does environmental awareness affect business practices today? by population group   Example: What are the effects of air pollution on children?