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How to Select a Research Topic: A Step-by-Step Guide

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by  Antony W

June 6, 2024

Learning how to select a research topic can be the difference between failing your assignment and writing a comprehensive research paper. That’s why in this guide we’ll teach you how to select a research topic step-by-step.

You don’t need this guide if your professor has already given you a list of topics to consider for your assignment . You can skip to our guide on how to write a research paper .

If they have left it up to you to choose a topic to investigate, which they must approve before you start working on your research study, we suggest that you read the process shared in this post.

Choosing a topic after finding your research problem is important because:

• The topic guides your research and gives you a mean to not only arrive at other interesting topics but also direct you to discover new knowledge
• The topic you choose will govern what you say and ensures you keep a logical flow of information.

Picking a topic for a research paper can be challenging and sometimes intimidating, but it’s not impossible. In the following section, we show you how to choose the best research topic that your instructor can approve after the first review.

How to Select a Research Topic 

Below are four steps to follow to find the most suitable topic for your research paper assignment:

Step 1: Consider a Topic that Interests You 

If your professor has asked you to choose a topic for your research paper, it means you can choose just about any subject to focus on in your area of study. A significant first step to take is to consider topics that interest you.

An interesting topic should meet two very important conditions.

First, it should be concise. The topic you choose should not be too broad or two narrow. Rather, it should be something focused on a specific issue. Second, the topic should allow you to find enough sources to cite in the research stage of your assignment.

The best way to determine if the research topic is interesting is to do some free writing for about 10 minutes. As you free write, think about the number of questions that people ask about the topic and try to consider why they’re important. These questions are important because they will make the research stage easier for you.

You’ll probably have a long list of interesting topics to consider for your research assignment. That’s a good first step because it means your options aren’t limited. However, you need to narrow down to only one topic for the assignment, so it’s time to start brainstorming.

Step 2: Brainstorm Your Topics 

You aren’t doing research at this stage yet. You are only trying to make considerations to determine which topic will suit your research assignment.

The brainstorming stage isn’t difficult at all. It should take only a couple of hours or a few days depending on how you approach.

We recommend talking to your professor, classmates, and friends about the topics that you’ve picked and ask for their opinion. Expect mixed opinions from this audience and then consider the topics that make the most sense. Note what topics picked their interest the most and put them on top of the list.

You’ll end up removing some topics from your initial list after brainstorming, and that’s completely fine. The goal here is to end up with a topic that interests you as well as your readers.

Step 3: Define Your Topics 

Check once again to make sure that your topic is a subject that you can easily define. You want to make sure the topic isn’t too broad or too narrow.

Often, a broad topic presents overwhelming amount of information, which makes it difficult to write a comprehensive research paper. A narrow topic, on the other hand, means you’ll find very little information, and therefore it can be difficult to do your assignment.

The length of the research paper, as stated in the assignment brief, should guide your topic selection.

Narrow down your list to topics that are:

• Broad enough to allows you to find enough scholarly articles and journals for reference
• Narrow enough to fit within the expected word count and the scope of the research

Topics that meet these two conditions should be easy to work on as they easily fit within the constraints of the research assignment.

Step 4: Read Background Information of Selected Topics  

You probably have two or three topics by the time you get to this step. Now it’s time to read the background information on the topics to decide which topic to work on.

This step is important because it gives you a clear overview of the topic, enabling you to see how it relates to broader, narrower, and related concepts. Preliminary research also helps you to find keywords commonly used to describe the topic, which may be useful in further research.

It’s important to note how easy or difficult it is to find information on the topic.

Look at different sources of information to be sure you can find enough references for the topic. Such periodic indexes scan journals, newspaper articles, and magazines to find the information you’re looking for. You can even use web search engines. Google and Bing are currently that best options to consider because they make it easy for searchers to find relevant information on scholarly topics.

If you’re having a hard time to find references for a topic that you’ve so far considered for your research paper, skip it and go to the next one. Doing so will go a long way to ensure you have the right topic to work on from start to finish.

Get Research Paper Writing Help 

If you’ve found your research topic but you feel so stuck that you can’t proceed with the assignment without some assistance, we are here to help. With our research paper writing service ,  we can help you handle the assignment within the shortest time possible.

We will research your topic, develop a research question, outline the project, and help you with writing. We also get you involved in the process, allowing you to track the progress of your order until the delivery stage.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

How to Choose a Research Topic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Choosing a research topic is one of the most important steps in academic writing. The right topic can set the foundation for a successful and engaging research project. However, with so many possibilities, it can be difficult to know where to begin. In this guide, we’ll break down the process into simple steps to help you select a research topic that is both interesting and feasible.

Step 1: Identify Your Area of Interest

The first step in choosing a research topic is identifying your interests. Consider what subjects you are passionate about, what topics spark your curiosity, and what areas you might want to explore further. Your research will be much more enjoyable and engaging if you choose something that excites you. Ask yourself:

• What subjects do I enjoy studying the most?
• Which topics have intrigued me in my past coursework or readings?
• Are there any issues or trends in your field that I find particularly interesting?

Step 2: Review Existing Literature

Before diving into a specific topic, it’s crucial to review existing literature in your field. This will help you understand what has already been researched and where gaps in knowledge may exist. By reading academic articles, books, and other sources, you can identify what topics have already been covered and which ones need more attention. This will help you avoid choosing a topic that is too broad or already overdone.

Step 3: Narrow Down Your Focus

Once you’ve identified a broad area of interest, it’s time to narrow your focus. A good research topic should be specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis but not so narrow that it lacks sufficient resources. Think about questions or problems within your chosen field that still need exploration. For example, if you’re interested in environmental science, you could narrow your focus to specific issues like climate change, conservation efforts, or renewable energy sources.

Step 4: Consider Feasibility

It’s important to choose a topic that is feasible to research within the time and resources available to you. Think about the following:

• Time constraints: Can I conduct the necessary research in the time I have?
• Available resources: Do I have access to the materials, data, or participants I need for this research?
• Scope: Is the topic manageable, or will it require more time and resources than I can allocate?

Choosing a topic that is too ambitious might lead to incomplete research, so it’s crucial to strike a balance between your interests and what’s feasible.

Step 5: Ensure Relevance and Contribution

A good research topic should contribute to your field. Consider the significance of your topic and how it adds value to the existing body of knowledge. Ask yourself:

• How does this topic relate to current debates, trends, or issues in the field?
• Will this research contribute new insights or perspectives?
• Is the topic relevant to real-world problems or academic discussions?

Choosing a topic with relevance ensures that your research will be impactful and valuable to others in your field.

Step 6: Refine Your Research Question

Once you have a topic, it’s time to refine it into a specific research question. A well-defined research question guides your study and helps you stay focused on your goal. Make sure your research question is clear, concise, and researchable. It should be focused enough to allow for detailed investigation but broad enough to explore various aspects of the topic.

Choosing the right research topic is a crucial part of the academic process. By considering your interests, reviewing existing literature, narrowing your focus, ensuring feasibility, and refining your research question, you can select a topic that is both meaningful and manageable. With the right topic in hand, you’ll be well on your way to conducting a successful research project.

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How To Choose A Research Topic

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024

Overview: The “Big 5” Key Criteria

• Topic originality or novelty
• Value and significance
• Access to data and equipment
• Time limitations and implications
• Ethical requirements and constraints

Criterion #1: Originality & Novelty

As we’ve discussed extensively on this blog, originality in a research topic is essential. In other words, you need a clear research gap . The uniqueness of your topic determines its contribution to the field and its potential to stand out in the academic community. So, for each of your prospective topics, ask yourself the following questions:

• What research gap and research problem am I filling?
• Does my topic offer new insights?
• Am I combining existing ideas in a unique way?
• Am I taking a unique methodological approach?

To objectively evaluate the originality of each of your topic candidates, rate them on these aspects. This process will not only help in choosing a topic that stands out, but also one that can capture the interest of your audience and possibly contribute significantly to the field of study – which brings us to our next criterion.

Criterion #2: Value & Significance

Next, you’ll need to assess the value and significance of each prospective topic. To do this, you’ll need to ask some hard questions.

• Why is it important to explore these research questions?
• Who stands to benefit from this study?
• How will they benefit, specifically?

By clearly understanding and outlining the significance of each potential topic, you’ll not only be justifying your final choice – you’ll essentially be laying the groundwork for a persuasive research proposal , which is equally important.

Criterion #3: Access to Data & Equipment

Naturally, access to relevant data and equipment is crucial for the success of your research project. So, for each of your prospective topic ideas, you’ll need to evaluate whether you have the necessary resources to collect data and conduct your study.

Here are some questions to ask for each potential topic:

• Will I be able to access the sample of interest (e.g., people, animals, etc.)?
• Do I have (or can I get) access to the required equipment, at the time that I need it?
• Are there costs associated with any of this? If so, what are they?

Keep in mind that getting access to certain types of data may also require special permissions and legalities, especially if your topic involves vulnerable groups (patients, youths, etc.). You may also need to adhere to specific data protection laws, depending on the country. So, be sure to evaluate these aspects thoroughly for each topic. Overlooking any of these can lead to significant complications down the line.

Criterion #4: Time Requirements & Implications

Naturally, having a realistic timeline for each potential research idea is crucial. So, consider the scope of each potential topic and estimate how long each phase of the research will take — from literature review to data collection and analysis, to writing and revisions. Underestimating the time needed for a research project is extremely common , so it’s important to include buffer time for unforeseen delays.

Remember, efficient time management is not just about the duration but also about the timing . For example, if your research involves fieldwork, there may specific times of the year when this is most doable (or not doable at all).  So, be sure to consider both time and timing for each of your prospective topics.

Criterion #5: Ethical Compliance

Failing to adhere to your university’s research ethics policy is a surefire way to get your proposal rejected . So, you’ll need to evaluate each topic for potential ethical issues, especially if your research involves human subjects, sensitive data, or has any potential environmental impact.

Remember that ethical compliance is not just a formality – it’s a responsibility to ensure the integrity and social responsibility of your research. Topics that pose significant ethical challenges are typically the first to be rejected, so you need to take this seriously. It’s also useful to keep in mind that some topics are more “ethically sensitive” than others , which usually means that they’ll require multiple levels of approval. Ideally, you want to avoid this additional admin, so mark down any prospective topics that fall into an ethical “grey zone”.

If you’re unsure about the details of your university’s ethics policy, ask for a copy or speak directly to your course coordinator. Don’t make any assumptions when it comes to research ethics!

Key Takeaways

In this post, we’ve explored how to choose a research topic using a systematic approach. To recap, the “Big 5” assessment criteria include:

• Topic originality and novelty
• Time requirements
• Ethical compliance

Be sure to grab a copy of our free research topic evaluator sheet here to fast-track your topic selection process. If you need hands-on help finding and refining a high-quality research topic for your dissertation or thesis, you can also check out our private coaching service .

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Research topic selection guide: Key steps, tools and tips

30 October 2024

Magda Wojcik

A research topic is a specific subject or area of interest that a researcher aims to investigate, analyse or explore through study. It helps formulate research questions, hypotheses and objectives, guides the research process and defines the scope of inquiry. An effective research topic is clear, focused and aligned with the researcher’s field, resources and expertise, allowing for a structured investigation into specific issues or phenomena.

A research topic is needed for academic texts that involve in-depth analysis, investigation or argument:

• research papers and articles
• dissertations and theses
• literature reviews
• case studies
• research proposals

This blog post provides a comprehensive roadmap for selecting a research topic, guiding readers from initial idea generation to finalising a focused question. Readers will gain insights into refining their ideas, evaluating topics for feasibility and significance and avoiding common mistakes. Moreover, the post covers ethical considerations and suggests practical tools for each stage of the process. Finally, this guide equips readers with strategies to ensure their research topic is relevant, achievable and capable of contributing meaningful knowledge to their academic field.

• Guide for developing a research topic

Developing a research topic: Step-by-step example

What makes a strong research topic, common mistakes when choosing a research topic, ethical considerations in research topic selection, tools and resources for choosing a research topic, using professional editing services for academic writing, step-by-step guide to developing a research topic, #1 identify areas of personal and academic interest.

Start by brainstorming general themes within the field that excite or intrigue you. Reflect on past courses, projects or readings that caught your attention, as personal interest in a topic will help sustain motivation over time. Additionally, consider how the topic aligns with your academic and career goals; a topic that furthers your professional expertise or is relevant to future job roles can make the research more meaningful and productive.

#2 Conduct a preliminary literature review

Begin exploring books, journal articles, reviews and academic databases for current research on your initial ideas. This process helps you understand what has already been studied, what the emerging trends are and how the topic fits into broader discussions within your field. A literature review will also reveal which methodologies are common and which findings are widely accepted or debated.

#3 Focus on gaps, limitations and emerging trends

While reviewing the literature, you should look for areas that have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Next, note any limitations of existing studies, unresolved questions or overlooked issues. Moreover, you should consider emerging trends or technologies that may impact the field and identify potential research areas within them. Ultimately, exploring these gaps helps position the research as a contribution to the field either by addressing an area that has been neglected or by challenging established findings with new insights.

#4 Narrow down to a specific question or problem

Based on the insights gained, start defining a specific question or problem to guide the research. A focused research question provides a clear purpose and helps establish the study’s direction. When narrowing the topic, aim for specificity — focusing on a precise aspect of the broader theme will help make the research manageable. Use frameworks like the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) method if applicable, or frame the topic in a question format to sharpen the focus, e.g. ‘How does social media usage impact anxiety among university students?’

#5 Evaluate feasibility and resources

Consider practical factors like time, data availability, access to research subjects and methodological requirements. Make sure you have the necessary resources, including relevant literature, data sources and, if needed, permissions to conduct the study. Ask yourself whether the topic is feasible within your academic programme’s scope and timeframe. Adjustments may be needed to ensure the study is achievable. For instance, narrowing down the population you plan to research or choosing a simpler methodology may improve feasibility.

#6 Assess the topic’s relevance and significance

Evaluate the topic’s relevance to your field and its potential impact. A strong research topic often addresses a pressing issue, contributes to a current debate or provides practical solutions to real-world problems. Think about how your findings could advance knowledge, influence policy or practice or aid future researchers. This can also include social relevance — how this research might benefit specific communities, solve challenges or foster awareness. A topic with both academic and societal relevance is likely to have a stronger impact.

#7 Seek feedback and refine

Present the topic to mentors, peers or advisers to gather diverse perspectives. Feedback is helpful because it can reveal potential weaknesses, overlooked aspects or alternative approaches you had not considered. Feedback may also include suggestions for additional resources, related studies or ways to improve the focus of the research question.

#8 Formulate a working title and research question

A focused topic allows the creation of a concise working title that summarises the research and develops a specific research question or hypothesis . A clear title and question will help you define methodology , study objectives and scope. For example, if the topic is on social media’s effects on mental health among university students, a working title could be: ‘Exploring the impact of social media on anxiety and connectedness among first-year university students.’ Your research question could then be: ‘How does social media usage influence anxiety and social connectedness among first-year university students?’

#9 Reflect and make a final decision

Review your topic to ensure it aligns with your interests, goals and resources. Confirm that it is focused, researchable and relevant to current issues in the field. At this stage, you should feel confident in committing to the topic, knowing that it is both meaningful and feasible.

Identify areas of personal and academic interest

Suppose you are interested in psychology and digital media, specifically how social media impacts well-being. You start with broad themes like ‘technology and mental health’ and narrow it to ‘social media impacts on university students.’

Conduct a preliminary literature review

Reviewing recent studies, you find many articles on social media’s effects on anxiety, self-esteem and loneliness. You notice that while teenage mental health is often researched, studies on university students are less common. This suggests a potential area for deeper exploration.

Focus on gaps, limitations and emerging trends

You identify that most studies focus on negative impacts and seldom consider positive aspects like social support through social media. There is also a gap in research specifically targeting university students. These gaps inspire you to explore both positive and negative effects on this demographic.

Narrow down to a specific question or problem

You refine the topic to ‘What are the effects of social media on anxiety and social connectedness among university students?’ This question narrows the focus to two aspects of mental health (anxiety and connectedness) within a specific population (university students).

Evaluate feasibility and resources

You assess the availability of resources, such as access to students willing to participate in surveys. If the timeframe is limited, you could narrow the question further, perhaps focusing on a specific social media platform like Instagram to keep the research manageable.

Assess the topic’s relevance and significance

Recognising the growing concern for mental health among students, you confirm the topic’s relevance. Insights from your research could help universities better support students’ mental health, especially regarding social media use.

Seek feedback and refine

Presenting the topic to an adviser, they suggest focusing on first-year students, who may face unique challenges adapting to university life. This feedback further refines your topic to ‘How does social media use impact anxiety and social connectedness among first-year university students?’

Formulate a working title and research question

You create a working title: ‘The impact of social media on anxiety and social connectedness among first-year university students’ and a research question: ‘How does social media usage influence levels of anxiety and social connectedness among first-year university students?’

Reflect and make a final decision

If you are confident in the topic’s alignment with your interests, goals and resources, commit to studying the impact of social media on mental health in first-year students, knowing it is focused, researchable and significant.

A strong research topic possesses several essential qualities that make it compelling, manageable and valuable to the field. Here are the key characteristics of a robust research topic:

Clarity and focus

A strong research topic is clear and specific and avoids vague or overly broad terms. Meeting these criteria ensures that the scope of the research is well-defined and helps prevent unnecessary complexity or ambiguity. A focused topic allows for in-depth investigation within a manageable framework.

Relevance and significance

The topic should address an important issue or contribute to ongoing discussions in the field. It should hold value for the academic community, policy-makers, practitioners or society at large. Relevant topics often address real-world problems or advance knowledge in a way that has practical or theoretical implications .

Originality and contribution

A strong topic should offer something new, either by filling a gap in existing literature, challenging established findings, or approaching an issue from a novel perspective. Originality does not always mean discovering something entirely new; it could mean applying existing knowledge to a new context or integrating multiple fields in an innovative way.

Feasibility

The topic should be achievable within the researcher’s available resources, time and skills. Feasibility involves considering access to data, funding, ethical permissions and technical expertise. A well-chosen topic is one that can be thoroughly investigated within the constraints of the research project.

Alignment with researcher’s interests and expertise

A topic aligned with the researcher’s interests and expertise is more likely to sustain their motivation and lead to a deeper, more insightful investigation. Familiarity with the subject can also allow the researcher to handle challenges more effectively and add credibility to their work.

Researchability

A strong topic should be researchable, meaning it can be explored through accessible methods, data sources and evidence. It should lend itself to a systematic investigation, allowing the researcher to draw meaningful conclusions based on observable data or established theoretical frameworks.

Ethical soundness

A strong research topic should meet ethical standards for topics involving human or animal subjects. This includes considerations like respecting participants’ rights, obtaining informed consent and minimising any potential harm. Ethical soundness ensures the research maintains integrity and credibility.

Flexibility to adapt

A good topic can be adapted or refined as the research progresses. Strong topics allow for adjustments based on preliminary findings or challenges, keeping the study relevant without straying too far from the core focus.

A strong research topic is characterised by several core qualities that make it engaging, practical and impactful:

Clarity and specificity

A strong topic is precisely defined and avoids vague terms and to make the research focus clear and easy to understand. In addition, specificity helps ensure that the study remains manageable and focused and enables a thorough investigation.

Relevance and importance

The topic should address an issue of significance to the field or have practical applications. Moreover, it should offer insights that can advance knowledge, inform policy or solve real-world problems. Relevance ensures the topic resonates with the academic community or has broader societal implications.

A strong topic brings something new to the field, either by filling a research gap, challenging existing perspectives or applying known theories to a new context. Originality does not always mean an entirely novel idea; it can be a fresh approach or perspective that adds value to current knowledge.

The topic should be achievable within the researcher’s resources, timeframe and expertise and should be in line with factors such as access to data, financial resources, ethical approval and research tools available to the researcher. A feasible topic is well-suited to the project’s constraints and can be effectively investigated without stretching resources.

Alignment with researcher’s interest and expertise

A topic that aligns with the researcher’s passions and skills can help them stay motivated and can lead to a deeper exploration. An engaged researcher is more likely to stay focused, overcome challenges and produce insightful results.

The topic should lend itself to systematic exploration, allowing the researcher to use appropriate methods to gather data and analyse results. Researchability ensures the topic can be approached with clear questions, hypotheses and methods, enabling meaningful conclusions.

Ethical suitability

For studies involving human or animal subjects, the topic should meet ethical guidelines to protect participants’ rights and well-being. Ethical suitability helps ensure the research maintains integrity and credibility and adheres to standards required by academic institutions or governing bodies.

Flexibility

A strong topic can be adjusted if preliminary findings or unforeseen challenges arise. This flexibility allows for minor adjustments without straying from the main research objective and keeps the study relevant and focused.

Common mistakes in choosing a research topic can lead to a challenging research process or limit the study’s effectiveness. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Choosing a topic that is too broad

Broad topics lack focus, making it difficult to cover all aspects thoroughly. This can lead to an overwhelming amount of information and a lack of depth in analysis. For instance, ‘Climate change’ is too vast; narrowing it to ‘The impact of climate change on coastal cities in the UK’ provides a more manageable focus.

Selecting a topic that is too narrow

Conversely, topics that are overly specific may limit the availability of resources and data, making it hard to build a substantial argument or find enough supporting evidence. For example, ‘Social media’s effect on anxiety among left-handed teenagers in one high school’ may be too restrictive.

Lacking personal interest or motivation

Picking a topic solely for its perceived importance or because it is trending can make the research process tedious if it does not genuinely interest you. A lack of enthusiasm can reduce engagement and lead to a lower-quality project.

Neglecting existing literature or ignoring gaps

Failing to review existing research can result in choosing a topic that has already been extensively covered, offering little new insight. It is essential to identify gaps in the literature to ensure the research contributes original findings.

Overlooking feasibility and practical constraints

Topics requiring complex methods, inaccessible populations or excessive resources can be impractical, especially for limited timelines or budgets. Consider constraints like time, funding and access to data before committing.

Choosing a topic that lacks researchability

Topics based on subjective opinions or moral judgements (e.g. ‘Is capitalism good?’) can be hard to investigate systematically. A researchable topic should be structured around specific, objective questions that can be studied with established research methods.

Ignoring ethical considerations

Choosing topics that may pose ethical challenges, such as sensitive issues involving vulnerable populations, can lead to problems with institutional approvals or participant recruitment. Address ethical implications early on to avoid conflicts later.

Failing to define a clear research question

Starting with a vague idea rather than a well-defined question can lead to an unfocused study and make it difficult to set boundaries. A strong research question narrows the topic and guides the research objectives.

Underestimating topic complexity

Topics that are overly complex or interdisciplinary can be challenging to manage without adequate background knowledge. To avoid this mistake, make sure you have a solid understanding of the field or are prepared to dedicate time to learning it.

Choosing a topic based on assumptions or biases

Selecting a topic with preconceived assumptions or biased viewpoints can compromise objectivity and limit the credibility of the study. Instead, a strong topic should allow for impartial inquiry and avoid leading towards a predetermined conclusion.

Ethical considerations in selecting a research topic are crucial to ensure that the research is conducted responsibly and respects the rights, dignity and welfare of those involved or affected. Here are some key ethical factors to keep in mind:

Respect for participant autonomy and consent

Choose topics that allow participants to make informed decisions about their involvement. Avoid topics that could pressure individuals into participating or restrict their right to withdraw from the study. Ensure that the topic allows for transparent and clear consent processes.

Avoiding harm or distress

Avoid topics that may lead to physical, emotional or psychological harm to participants. For example, sensitive topics like trauma, abuse or mental health issues should be approached carefully to avoid re-traumatisation or distress. Consider the potential impacts on participants and whether the topic can be ethically studied without causing harm.

Privacy and confidentiality

Select topics that can be studied while respecting participants’ privacy. Avoid topics that require invasive data or compromise anonymity, especially if dealing with sensitive personal information. Ensure the topic allows for secure data handling practices that protect participants’ identities.

Fair representation and inclusion

Ensure that the chosen topic does not unfairly exclude or exploit specific groups. Avoid topics that might reinforce stereotypes or target vulnerable populations without a justified and ethical reason. Instead, research topics should be inclusive and, where relevant, represent diverse perspectives or demographics.

Avoiding conflicts of interest

Be cautious of topics that may present a conflict of interest, such as those related to the researcher’s personal or financial interests. A conflict of interest can bias results or create ethical dilemmas and ultimately affect the research’s credibility. Therefore, choose a topic that allow you to remain objective and impartial.

Social and cultural sensitivity

Consider whether the topic respects the social, cultural and religious contexts of participants. Avoid topics that might offend or marginalise certain groups or disregard cultural beliefs. Cultural sensitivity is crucial for ethically respectful research.

Transparency and honesty

Select a topic that allows you to conduct research openly and transparently, with full disclosure of methods, intentions and potential conflicts. Topics requiring secrecy or deception should be approached carefully, with ethical approval from relevant bodies and clear justification for any necessary deception.

Beneficence and societal value

Aim for a topic that offers positive contributions to society or the academic field. Research should ideally provide benefits, such as new insights, solutions to problems or support for underserved communities, balancing potential risks with tangible benefits.

Avoiding exploitation of vulnerable populations

Refrain from choosing topics that could exploit vulnerable populations (e.g. children, refugees, individuals with disabilities) unless there is a strong, ethical justification and safeguards in place. Vulnerable groups should only be studied if the research is likely to benefit them and ethical protections can be ensured.

Alignment with ethical guidelines and standards

Ensure that the topic complies with institutional, national and field-specific ethical standards. Choose a topic that allows you to adhere to these ethical guidelines, which govern data protection, participant welfare and integrity in research.

Here is a list of tools and resources for choosing a research topic:

Academic databases and journals

These resources provide access to scholarly articles, helping you identify current trends, literature gaps and influential research.

• IEEE Xplore
• Google Scholar
• ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
• SAGE Journals
• SpringerLink
• Oxford Academic

Library research guides and reference materials

University library guides and online repositories offer topic-specific recommendations and curated research resources.

• University LibGuides: Many universities provide LibGuides, which include discipline-specific research guides, topic ideas, and suggested databases.
• Specialised repositories: Europe PubMed Central , Education Resources Information Center , British Library ’s research repository

Funding agencies and research councils

Funding bodies publish research priorities, highlighting socially and scientifically significant topics that are likely to receive funding. These agencies’ websites and reports outline areas of interest and funding priorities, which can inspire impactful research topics.

• National Institutes of Health
• National Science Foundation
• UK Research and Innovation
• Economic and Social Research Council
• Horizon Europe
• European Research Council

Ethics guidelines and institutional review resources

Ethical guidelines help ensure that chosen topics meet ethical standards, particularly for studies involving human subjects or sensitive topics.

• World Health Organization ethics resources
• Office for Human Research Protections
• British Psychological Society ethics guidelines

Research question development frameworks

Frameworks help to structure and refine broad topics into specific, researchable questions, aiding in scope and clarity.

• PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) is often used in health and clinical research.
• SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation) is useful for social sciences.
• FINER (Feasibility, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) is a checklist for assessing research questions across fields.

Brainstorming tools

Brainstorming tools, such as MindMeister , Lucidchart or Coggle , can spark new topic ideas, show related trends, or help visually organise themes and concepts.

Topic repositories and call-for-papers platforms

These resources list current research topics, ideas and academic calls for papers that align with active discussions and needs in the field.

• Open Science Framework (OSF) and MDPI ’s special issues provide calls for papers and special issue topics, which can spark ideas for timely research.
• arXiv (for preprints in physics, mathematics and computer science) is useful for identifying trending topics in science and technology.

When developing an academic text with a strong research topic, professional editing services can be invaluable in refining and elevating your work. Here is how different levels of editing can support each stage of your writing process:

Developmental editing

During the early stages, developmental editing offers comprehensive feedback on the structure, clarity and focus of your research topic and overall argument. This service helps ensure that your topic is well-defined and aligned with academic standards and that each section of your paper builds coherently on the research question.

Line editing

As you start drafting, line editing can refine your style, flow and tone, enhancing the readability and impact of your writing. Line editing addresses sentence structure, word choice and transitions to ensure that your arguments are clearly and effectively communicated, making your text compelling for an academic audience.

Copyediting

Copyediting helps polish grammar, punctuation and style. This level of editing focuses on technical accuracy and consistency, ensuring that your paper adheres to academic style guidelines and is free from distracting errors.

Proofreading

As a final step, proofreading provides a meticulous review for typographical errors, formatting issues and minor inconsistencies, giving your work a professional finish. This service ensures that your paper meets the highest standards of accuracy and presentation.

Key takeaways

Choosing a research topic is a foundational step that influences the quality, focus and potential impact of academic work. Understanding feasibility, ethical standards and relevance helps researchers develop topics that are both manageable and meaningful. Additionally, using tools like academic databases, research frameworks and brainstorming resources can streamline the process and ensure the chosen topic aligns with existing literature and emerging trends. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, researchers can confidently select topics that support their goals and contribute valuable insights to their field.

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Research Process Guide

• Step 1 - Identifying and Developing a Topic
• Step 2 - Narrowing Your Topic
• Step 3 - Developing Research Questions
• Step 4 - Conducting a Literature Review
• Step 5 - Choosing a Conceptual or Theoretical Framework
• Step 6 - Determining Research Methodology
• Step 6a - Determining Research Methodology - Quantitative Research Methods
• Step 6b - Determining Research Methodology - Qualitative Design
• Step 7 - Considering Ethical Issues in Research with Human Subjects - Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Step 8 - Collecting Data
• Step 9 - Analyzing Data
• Step 10 - Interpreting Results
• Step 11 - Writing Up Results

Step 1: Identifying and Developing a Topic

Whatever your field or discipline, the best advice to give on identifying a research topic is to choose something that you find really interesting. You will be spending an enormous amount of time with your topic, you need to be invested. Over the course of your research design, proposal and actually conducting your study, you may feel like you are really tired of your topic, however,  your interest and investment in the topic will help you persist through dissertation defense. Identifying a research topic can be challenging. Most of the research that has been completed on the process of conducting research fails to examine the preliminary stages of the interactive and self-reflective process of identifying a research topic (Wintersberger & Saunders, 2020).  You may choose a topic at the beginning of the process, and through exploring the research that has already been done, one’s own interests that are narrowed or expanded in scope, the topic will change over time (Dwarkadas & Lin, 2019). Where do I begin? According to the research, there are generally two paths to exploring your research topic, creative path and the rational path (Saunders et al., 2019).  The rational path takes a linear path and deals with questions we need to ask ourselves like: what are some timely topics in my field in the media right now?; what strengths do I bring to the research?; what are the gaps in the research about the area of research interest? (Saunders et al., 2019; Wintersberger & Saunders, 2020).The creative path is less linear in that it may include keeping a notebook of ideas based on discussion in coursework or with your peers in the field. Whichever path you take, you will inevitably have to narrow your more generalized ideas down. A great way to do that is to continue reading the literature about and around your topic looking for gaps that could be explored. Also, try engaging in meaningful discussions with experts in your field to get their take on your research ideas (Saunders et al., 2019; Wintersberger & Saunders, 2020). It is important to remember that a research topic should be (Dwarkadas & Lin, 2019; Saunders et al., 2019; Wintersberger & Saunders, 2020):

• Interesting to you.
• Realistic in that it can be completed in an appropriate amount of time.
• Relevant to your program or field of study.
• Not widely researched.

Dwarkadas, S., & Lin, M. C. (2019, August 04). Finding a research topic. Computing Research Association for Women, Portland State University. https://cra.org/cra-wp/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/04/FindingResearchTopic/2019.pdf

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.

Wintersberger, D., & Saunders, M. (2020). Formulating and clarifying the research topic: Insights and a guide for the production management research community. Production, 30 . https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.20200059

• Last Updated: Jun 29, 2023 1:35 PM
• URL: https://libguides.kean.edu/ResearchProcessGuide

How to Select a Research Problem

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No AI was involved in the creation process; only qualified experts contributed.

The information, facts, and sources presented in the text have been carefully checked and verified.

You are free to use it with proper referencing.

This guide was designed to help students select a proper research problem in five steps.

The research problem can be defined as the central idea of the paper, and it affects how the author will analyze and organize the information to be presented. This problem can represent a concern of the author, a situation that needs improvement, or a question requiring additional exploration. It is vital for students to choose topics that they find interesting because the thorough research necessary to develop a proper paper can be exhausting. Research demands focus and an understanding of various aspects that affect the issue in question.

Figure 1 presents three crucial elements that a student should consider when choosing a research topic. Some professors will present a list of issues that can guide students and make a choice easier. While this makes the process of preparation more manageable, the three components in Figure 1 should not be ignored. First, the paper’s required scope of investigation should fascinate the student, who will have to sort through large volumes of information as part of proper preparation for writing a paper. It is much easier to focus on the task when exploring a question that is exciting and has practical application in real life. Second, it is essential to choose a perspective that finds support in papers and articles from peer-reviewed journals or credible sources. Scholars who do not explore their topic properly run the risk of writing papers that present only the author’s viewpoint, one that is not supported by the evidence. Finally, the writer must choose a critical issue relevant to current events.

Working with a specific topic

• Step 1. Brainstorm the ideas and concepts to be discussed in the paper based on the information provided by the instructor.

“The importance of student research in developing analytical skills”

The main factors to consider then include student research and analytical capabilities.

• Step 2. Read background information to understand the general aspects of the issue in question. From the previous example, it can be concluded that data on student research along with its benefits and challenges, as well as connection to cognitive skills, can help in understanding the matter in question. For this step, any credible information source is suitable, including the university library, Google Scholar, or another database.
• Step 3. It is important to cite sources that can support the claims of the research topic. However, to ensure that the problem and the context of the work are well-written, it is crucial to locate additional sources that present arguments against the position the author is trying to convey. In this case, articles and studies that indicate an adverse effect of student research on analytical skills can help strengthen the paper. By discussing points that contradict the original idea, a student will be able to broaden the scope of discussion.
• Step 4. Synthesize the ideas from the resources and form a personalized view on the topic, which will be reflected in the paper. For example, the explored articles may provide sufficient evidence suggesting that the efficacy of student research is valid. Thus, the research paper will include specific benefits that individuals gain by engaging in the activity.

Choosing topic from a list

• Step 1. Carefully read all the issues and highlight the most interesting. As previously mentioned, it is crucial to choose an aspect that will be motivating to study, which may be difficult to do when only one research topic is given. In comparison, this option offers a student more freedom for expressing thoughts and ideas.
• Step 2. Choose an idea that represents personal views, opinions, and personal relevance. This step represents the approach illustrated in Figure 1 as it is crucial to engage in the writing process.
• Step 3. Carry out preliminary research as described in Step 2 and Step 3 of the previous section to gather materials and form an opinion on the subject. Use hints from Step 4 to create a general understanding of what should be discussed in the paper.

Choosing your own topic

• Step 1. Dedicate time to look through course materials and write down possible options. This does not have to represent actual research topics; simply mentioning aspects that would be interesting to explore can help in making a proper choice in the future. As previously mentioned, the task of choosing an appropriate research topic requires thorough consideration. Thus, a student should ensure that sufficient time is spent on sorting through ideas and refining concepts that can be used in a future paper. While it may seem like a ten-minute job, it is much better to schedule time depending on the scope of the paper; logically, a two-page essay will require less work than a ten-page paper or a dissertation.
• Step 2. Ensure that the options you choose represent aspects you find exciting. With this approach, the assignment will present a valuable opportunity to explore topics of interest. Therefore, out of the list of prospective ideas, choose only those that are particularly interesting.
• Step 3. Think about previous assignments and tasks from other classes to gain an idea of what you will be exploring. This step is helpful for students who find it difficult to develop a research topic. Additionally, looking through news websites dedicated to a specific subject can help in choosing a relevant question.
• Step 4. Narrow the scope of the question by identifying particular aspects that should be explored. For example, consider the topic “Student research conducted by using various online resources is more effective for enhancing analytical skills.” Adding specific factors helps the student to better understand the issue in question and illuminates unnecessary general information that might obstruct the main idea. That said, it is crucial to ensure that enough information can be found to support the research idea.

Overall, while students may encounter different approaches to conducting research, depending on the professor, the information described above presents a general guide that can help in developing a topic. It is vital to ensure that the student will find the information to be investigated engaging. Additionally, it is critical to present multiple viewpoints on the subject. Thus, an issue that other scholars have discussed should be chosen to ensure that relevant information can be found.

• Academic Writing 101
• How to Expand a Research Topic
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Everything About Narrowing a Topic Idea
• How to Write Research Methodology like a Pro
• Everything You Need to Know about Quantitative Research
• Everything You Need to Know about Qualitative Research
• Evaluating Sources

Choose a Research Topic: Choose a Research Topic

This guide will help you understand how to develop your topic ideas into a manageable research topic.

Terms in this Guide

• Information Literacy:  The set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information.  
• Research Process:  It is a process of multiple deliberate steps in conducting the research work where each step is interlinked with other steps such as starting with a broad topic question to focus on an aspect of it to narrow the research focus to all the way to find and evaluate the reliability of that information.  The most important thing to realize is that this is not a linear process. 

Step 1: Choose a Broad Research Topic

Research is a long process. Try to choose a broad topic that is interesting to you and that fits the assignment parameters set by the professor.

Read through background information in an encyclopedia, dictionary, or database to learn about aspects of the topic that might interest you.

If you are unsure of what topic to start with, review the sources below for ideas.

A complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

Step 2: Narrow & Focus Your Topic

If you are getting too many search results, then it is time to limit your topic to a particular approach to the issue!

Consider writing about one of these aspects of your broad topic:

• Theme (a particular opinion, focus, or point of view)
• Timeframe (period, date)
• Place (city, state, region, country, continent)

Step 3. Write a Topic Statement

Now turn your narrow topic into a topic statement by writing it out as a short sentence. This is known as a thesis or topic statement. It expresses the subject and purpose of your paper.

Step 4. Evaluate your Topic Statement

Ask yourself the following questions to evaluate the quality of your topic statement:

• Is this statement interesting enough to spark my own thoughts and opinions?
• What type of information will I need to support the topic statement?
• Is the scope of this topic statement reasonable? Or does it need to be focused even further?
• What sources will have the type of information that I need to answer the research question?
• Can I access these sources? If yes, where can I get the material I need? (textbook, library book, online databases, personal interviews?)
• If yes, it's time to start your project!
• If not, you may need guidance. Talk to your professor, librarian, and/or a Writing, Reading & Language Center tutor if you are unsure.

Research Cycle

Watch this tutorial and practice using the activities / answering questions.

• MC Library's How to Begin Your Research Tutorial

Check these resources below to learn more about how to develop a manageable research topic and select appropriate source types.

• Identify Different Types of Information Sources by Niyati Pandya Last Updated Nov 5, 2024 1549 views this year

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MC Library Research Skills Guides

• Last Updated: Dec 3, 2024 9:10 AM
• URL: https://libguides.montgomerycollege.edu/choose-research-topic

For Library Employees

Conducting Research

• The Process
• Step 1: Exploring an idea
• Step 2: Finding background info.
• Step 3: Finding Print/E-Books
• Step 4: Finding Articles (Current Research)
• Step 5: Evaluating your sources
• Step 6: Citing your sources
• FAQs This link opens in a new window
• Library Vocabulary
• Research in the Humanities
• Research in the Social Sciences
• Research in the Sciences

How to choose a topic

The very first step in the research process is choosing a topic that is not too broad or too narrow in scope.

To help you define a good topic you are advised to do one or all of the following:

• use reference sources (such as encyclopedias);
• consult other sources as suggested on the page Finding Background Information;
• state your topic as a question (e.g., Can sleep disorders effect academic success in college students?);
• identify the main concepts or keywords in your question (e.g., college students, grade point average, sleep disorders);
• consult with your instructor or TA;
• or consult with a subject librarian who specializes in the field of study you are researching.

If you think you have a good topic or are getting close, try applying your topic ideas to the questions listed below.

• Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Other Resources
• Connect with a Subject Librarian

Testing your topic

Test the main concepts or keywords in your topic by looking them up in the appropriate background sources or by using them as search terms in Quick Search, the Classic Catalog (print/e-books), or in subject specific databases.

• If you are finding too much information and too many sources, narrow your topic by using the and operator: college students and grade point average and sleep disorders.
• Finding too little information may indicate that you need to broaden your topic. For example, look for information on students, rather than college students.
• Link synonymous search terms with or : academic achievement or grade point average or school failure.
• When you use a truncation symbol, most often the asterisk (*), the system will search for all terms and phrases starting with the word stem that appears before the symbol.  For example, searching "sleep disorder*" will yield results including disorder, disorders, disordered, etc. This will broaden your search and increase the number of items you find.

Once you have identified and tested your topic, you're ready to take the next step, finding background information.

Information Overload? Narrowing your Research

Overwhelmed with too many or irrelevant results? Consider the following questions for refining your topic:

• Is there a specific time period you want to cover?
• Is there a geographic region or country on which you would like to focus?
• Is there a particular aspect of this subject that interests you? For example, historical influence, sociological aspects, ethical issues, cultural significance.
• Is there a specific group or individual you could research?

You can also combine multiple questions to further narrow your subject.

Information Desert? Broadening your Research

When exploring your research focus, consider the following questions for broadening your topic:

• What elements could you add to your paper? For example, expanding the time period or changing the geographic location. 
• What other issues are involved in this research?
• What is the bigger concept of your subject?

Formulate Your Research Strategy - 1

• Ask Yourself These Questions
• How much time do you have?
• On What Type of Project are you Working?
• What Type of Information do you Need?
• Do you Need Primary Sources? Secondary Sources? Both?

The steps to your research strategy will depend on how much time you have and the type of project on which you are working. In order to conduct effective research, you need to gather appropriate information for your topic. Consider the following questions - the next tabs to help you determine the best research strategy.

If you have limited time, it is advisable to focus your information gathering on articles from journals, magazines, newspapers and on books which are in the library or on the web.

If you have more time to plan your research, you will be able to incorporate a variety of materials on your topic and to obtain resources from other libraries.

The depth of research will depend on the nature of your project. You may need to consider the guidelines specified by your professor on the length of paper or presentation.

Your approach to the topic will determine the type of resources you will use. For example, some research may involve collecting facts, while other research may include gathering various opinions on an issue or argument. You may also want to consider whether your topic will be enhanced by including primary resources. The following types of resources may serve as a guide:

• Internet resources
• Book reviews
• Dissertations
• Statistical information
• Music scores
• Sound recordings
• Internet reference sources
• Government documents
• Manuscripts

"You need to consider whether your project requires primary or secondary sources and, if you will use both, whether a particular work is a primary or a secondary source in the context of your work. Primary sources are basic materials with little or no annotation or editorial alteration, such as manuscripts, diaries, letters, interviews, and laboratory reports. Secondary sources derive from primary materials and include analysis, interpretation, and commentary on primary materials."

"Depending on the point of view of your research paper, a given source may be either primary or secondary. A research paper on William James, the nineteenth-century philosopher, would treat R.W.B. Lewis's The Jameses: A Family Narrative as a secondary source, whereas a paper on Lewis, a well-known critic and biographer, would treat the same book as a primary source. Your assignment may require you to emphasize either primary or secondary sources or to use a combination of the two." -- (Slade, Carole. Form and style. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co., c1997.)

Types of Sources

Primary sources  can be tricky.  Whether a source is  primary  depends on how you use it. A primary source is a written text, artifact, or other original creation upon which you focus your analysis and interpretation. For example, an article that analyzes a book, song, or society would be considered a secondary source. However, that article could function as a primary source--if you are analyzing the ideas of the author of that article, then it functions as a primary source. So anything could function as a primary source--just consider how you are using it: if it's the object of your analysis, then it's a primary source.

A  secondary source  is a work that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at least one step removed from the event is often based on primary sources. Examples include: scholarly or popular books and articles, reference books, and textbooks.

Tertiary sources are encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks and other reference materials that provide broad overviews of particular topics. Where secondary sources summarize and interpret an event or phenomenon, tertiary sources summarize and interpret other resources. They can be a great place to begin studying unfamiliar topics.

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• Next: Step 2: Finding background info. >>
• Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 11:41 AM
• URL: https://libguides.wustl.edu/research