What is the process for choosing a research topic?

Answer 1

G'day Chris M,

Thank you for the question.

The first thing is considering the criteria you have been set by your course such as length and presentation of research. You should consider relevance to course, availability of research material and so forth. The topic should be narrow enough to cover but broad enough to find material. You should also enjoy the topic if possible because you will be spending a lot of time on it.

If you are a science student, you might want to read Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences. Its author Robert Smith suggests 11 points to consider when choosing a topic:

1. Can you pursue it enthusiastically?
2. Can it sustan your interest?
3. Can the problem be solved by you?
4. Is it worth doing?
5. Will it lead to other topics that you can work on?
6. Is it manageable?
7. Can you make an original contribution?
8. If the problem is solved, will it attract attention in your field?
9. Are you, or will you be in a position to solve it?
10. By solving it, will you have established skills in your discipline?
11. Will it establish in a promising area for the future?

I have attached some sources for reference.

Regards

Answer 2

Since you mentioned research paper, I assume you mean a library-type research topic rather than an experimental or theoretical one. If original research, then I suggest a topic that does not show up when you do a google scholar search. This means it is new and a good PhD topic, that requires years of original research. If a report topic, then select a topic that returns lots of papers since a research report is a summary of the published papers, anyway. So, not knowing which you need, you decide.

Answer 3

The word research means look again. Usually there are some restriction for you search; however, try to stick with what you know. Topics with specific requirements simply means you need to focus on something/someone. Topic needs to be focus and tight, which means you cannot take you reader on a roller coaster ride. A good topic, well researched, means that you can explain what you are doing in one sentence. If you need more than one sentence, you need to look again.

Enjoy the search.

Answer 4

If it's for a college term paper (or high school), first be sure that you will be able to find enough books, magazine articles, and internet links on the topic. It can be very frustrating to choose a topic that's too obscure and not be able to find materials.

Answer 5

The first thing is to see how much material and cross references are available to put together a concise picture of your project.

How topical is it to attract and maintain the
interest of the reader and will it be a chore for you to thoroughly research all the needed material.

Answer 6

just choose a research topic that you feel strongly about and make sure there will be enough evidence to support your topic

Answer 7

Findind something you are really interested in. One you would actually want to research like cars, horses, cats, anything, you would like. Then typically research anywhere on the net, for it. www.dictionary.com helps a lot. for definitions, and much other stuff. Good luck!

Answer 8

Thanks for asking, I have done that quite a few times. Brainstorm several topics that are of interest to you and then narrow it down to the one you will do. It may take a few days to narrow it down. Then go for it! Good luck.

Answer 9

Find something you like or are curious about, then do research on it.

Answer 10

Chose something you are interested in and would like to know more about.