Research always starts with a question. But the success of your research also depends on how you formulate that question. If it is too broad or too narrow of a topic, you will have trouble finding information when you search. When developing your question/topic, consider the following:
What are the specific guidelines provided for topic development? Are the ideas I am considering within those established guidelines (make sure to check with your course instructor if you are uncertain).
Is my question one that is likely to have been researched and for which data have been published? Believe it or not, not every topic has been researched and/or published in the literature.
Remember some topics may be breaking new ground and there may only be a little amount of published research.
Sometimes you have to search for "related research" if the topic is too new or has not been represented much in the research literature.
Be flexible. Consider broadening or narrowing the topic if you are getting few if any results when you search. If you aren't willing to make some adjustments with your topic, it could make finding publications very difficult in some circumstances.
Discuss your topic with your professor and be willing to alter your topic according to the guidance you receive.
It is important to remember that finding peer-review scholarly publications on "hot" new topics is difficult. The "information cycle" requires time for research, editing, peer-review, and publication. It is imporatant to keep this in mind when choosing research topics for research.
The Libraries of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provide a helpful infographic of this cycle below.
