You’ll most likely be writing a lot of research papers while in college, so it is important to master the skill of finding the right research paper topics. Unfortunately, not all the topics you are interested in may be that easy to write about. It becomes even more difficult if there is not enough research material about the topic you’ve chosen.
Research Paper Topics: Find A Broad Subject First Then Narrow It Down
One thing that works when finding the right research paper topics is to think of several subjects that interest you. Try writing down these subjects on a sheet of paper. Choose the one that interests you the most and then break down the general subject into smaller chunks of topics that are related to it.
Related Post – 3 Tips to Avoid the High Stress of a College Paper
Narrow down your topics to the most interesting one. If it is a controversial topic, choose a particular perspective that you will develop in your research paper. Read different points of view related to your topic as this expands your knowledge and makes writing your paper easier.
Mind mapping is always a good idea, too. To find out how much you actually know about a topic, make a mind map of it. Put the main concept in the middle of a sheet of paper, then start adding relevant terms around it. By the time you run out or terms that you know on this topic, you’ll see if they make enough for a paper.
Another way to get yourself completely rid of all the trouble is to get a research paper writing service to help you. By delegating your assignment, you will free up some of your time and see how this type of paper is done by a professional. You can stay in touch with your paper writer every step of the way, ask them questions and request drafts. This will allow you to stay on top of the process and see how a thesis statement becomes a full paper.
A helpful way to find a topic that would make writing a research paper easy is to use one you’ve already written about. Take one of the essays you’ve written for this particular subject and see if you can broaden this topic. How much more detail can you add? Has any new research been made on that topic? In academia, it’s quite normal to broaden and deepen your past research, so you might as well start now.
Make Sure You Have Enough Resources For Your Topic
Do a quick computer search on the topics on your list to see which one is widely researched. This means finding a topic that is discussed not just on websites or blogs, but more so in books, articles, and even encyclopedia references. Find a topic that is both interesting and has plenty of published material. Check magazine articles, because these are usually shorter and more updated than those found in books.
Check References From The Library
Once you have chosen your topic, check the internet for references and also try using your school’s library database, which may also be available online. Don’t hesitate to ask your librarian for assistance with an urgent research paper. Other resources beyond the library include research paper websites that provide professional research paper writing help.
Related Category – Annotated Bibliography: A Guide to Correctly Citing Sources
Writing a research paper requires a lot of time, extreme concentration, and diligence. And not everyone can cope with this task. Therefore, some people turn to special services for writing student papers. However, we do not recommend ordering this work. It is better to order editing of the writing assignment. In any case, it is always better to analyze both writing and editing services. It is difficult to identify scammers, so it is better to trust a professional like William Grabe. On his website, you will find a detailed analysis of the best essay writing services.
Running out of topics to write about? Check the suggestions below that can help you choose the right research paper topics:
Business Research Paper Topics:
- Cybersecurity
- E-business
- Ethics
- Glass ceiling
- Online retail
- Outsourcing
- Sweatshops
- White collar crime
Crime and Law Research Paper Topics:
- Acquaintance rape
- Animal rights
- Assisted suicide
- Campus violence
- Capital punishment
- Civil rights
- Drinking age, legal
- Drug legalization
- Gun control
- Hate crimes
- Insanity defense
- Mandatory Minimum sentencing
- Patriot Act
- Police brutality
- Prisons and prisoners
- Roe vs. Wade
- Serial killers
- Sex crimes
- Sexual harassment
- Three Strikes Law
Drugs and Drug Abuse Research Paper Topics:
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Doping in sports
- Drug testing
- Drunk driving
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
Education Research Paper Topics:
- Attention deficit disorder
- Charter schools
- College admission policies
- College athletes
- College tuition planning
- Distance education
- Diploma mills
- Education and funding
- Grade inflation
- Greek letter societies
- Hazing
- Home schooling
- Intelligence tests
- Learning disabilities
- Literacy in America
- No Child Left Behind
- Plagiarism
- Prayer in schools
- Sex education
- School vouchers
- Standardized tests
Environmental Research Paper Topics:
- Acid rain
- Alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles
- Conservation
- Climate Change
- Deforestation
- Endangered species
- Energy
- Geoengineering
- Global warming
- Greenhouse effect
- Hurricanes
- Landfills
- Marine pollution
- Nuclear energy
- Oil spills
- Pesticides
- Petroleum
- Pollution
- Population control
- Radioactive waste disposal
- Recycling
- Smog
- Soil pollution
- Wildlife conservation
Family issues Research Paper Topics:
- Battered woman syndrome
- Child abuse
- Divorce rates
- Domestic abuse
- Family relationships
- Family values
Health Research Paper Topics:
- Abortion
- AIDS
- Attention deficit disorder
- Alternative medicine
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Artificial insemination
- Autism
- Birth control
- Bulimia
- Cancer
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Depression
- Dietary supplements
- Drug abuse
- Dyslexia
- Exercise and fitness
- Fad diets
- Fast food
- Heart disease
- Health Care Reform
- HIV infection
- In vitro fertilization
- Medicaid, Medicare reform
- Obesity
- Organic foods
- Prescription drugs
- Plastic surgery
- SARS
- Sleep
- Smoking
- Stem cell research
- Teen pregnancy
- Vegetarianism
- Weight loss surgery
Media and Communications Research Paper Topics:
- Body image
- Censorship
- Children’s programming and advertising
- Copyright Law
- Freedom of speech
- Materialism
- Media bias
- Media conglomerates, ownership
- Minorities in mass media
- Political correctness
- Portrayal of women
- Reality television
- Stereotypes
- Talk radio
- Television violence
Political Issues Research Paper Topics:
- Affirmative Action
- Budget deficit
- Electoral College
- Election reform
- Emigration
- Genocide
- Illegal aliensIllegal aliens
- Immigration
- Impeachment
- International relations
- Medicaid, Medicare reform
- Operation Enduring Iraqi Freedom
- Partisan politics
- Prescription drugs
- Social Security Reform
- Third parties
- Taxes
Psychology Research Paper Topics:
- Child abuse
- Criminal psychology
- Depression
- Dreams
- Intelligence tests
- Learning disabilities
- Memory
- Physical attraction
- Schizophrenia
Religion Research Paper Topics:
- Cults
- Freedom of religion
- Occultism
- Prayer in schools
Social Issues Research Paper Topics:
- Abortion
- Adoption
- Airline safety, security
- Affirmative Action programs
- AIDS
- Apartheid
- Birth control
- Child abuse
- Child rearing
- Discrimination in education
- Employee rights
- Gambling, online gaming
- Gang identity
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
- Gay parenting
- Gender discrimination
- Genetic screening
- Homelessness
- Identity theft
- Interracial marriage
- Poverty
- Race relations
- Reverse discrimination
- Suffrage
- Suicide
- Test biases
- Textbook biases
- Welfare
Terrorism Research Paper Topics:
- Bioterrorism
- Homeland Security
- September 11
Women and Gender Research Paper Topics:
- Abortion
- Birth control and Pregnancy
- Body image
- Cultural expectations and practices
- Discrimination
- Eating disorders
- Education
- Feminism
- Gay pride
- Female genital mutilation
- Health
- Marriage and Divorce
- Media portrayals
- Menstruation and Menopause
- Parenting
- Prostitution
- LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender)
- Sex and Sexuality
- Sports
- Stereotypes
- Substance abuse
- Violence and Rape
- Work
If you need more ideas, take a look at this list of best research paper topics from Paperell
Source: University of Illinois Online Library
FAQs
Top 10 Trending Research Topics to Write About
- Imposed Democracy.
- Political Environment in the Middle East.
- Religion and Globalization.
- UN Policies on the Environment and their Impact.
- The Influence of Marketing and Media on Teens.
- Bar Code Implants.
- Cancer Drug Studies.
- Drug Delivery.
Do you need some help with brainstorming for topics? Some common research paper topics include abortion, birth control, child abuse, gun control, history, climate change, social media, AI, global warming, health, science, and technology.
What are 5 good research questions? ›
Five Questions for Good Research
- What is the problem to be solved? Every good research project solves some particular problem. ...
- Who cares about this problem and why? ...
- What have others done? ...
- What is your solution to the problem? ...
- How can you demonstrate that your solution is a good one?
A complete research paper in APA style that is reporting on experimental research will typically contain a Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References sections. Many will also contain Figures and Tables and some will have an Appendix or Appendices.
What are the 20 types of research? ›
Here are 20 types of research design that you can consider using for your research project:
- Exploratory research design. ...
- Observational research design. ...
- Descriptive research design. ...
- Case study. ...
- Action research design. ...
- Experimental research design. ...
- Causal research design. ...
- Correlational research design.
- Applied research. ...
- Fixed research versus flexible research. ...
- Quantitative research and qualitative research. ...
- Experimental research and non-experimental research. ...
- Exploratory research and confirmatory research. ...
- Explanatory research or casual research. ...
- Descriptive research. ...
- Historical research.
Research Topics:
- Infectious disease. 29 articles | 1,643,000 views. ...
- Nutritional immunology. 29 articles | 768,000 views. ...
- Music therapy. 44 articles | 268,000 views. ...
- Political misinformation. 11 articles | 219,000 views. ...
- Plant science. 15 articles | 198,000 views. ...
- Sustainable agriculture. ...
- Mental health. ...
- Aging brains.
Here is the list of the top 10 research topics for your science essays.
- Scientific Explanation behind IVF: How does it impact the baby.
- Investigate the benefits of Forensic Science Technology.
- Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global warming and climate change.
- New findings for Cancer Biology.
Some great ideas for your essay topic are:
- Your favorite childhood memory.
- Most recent travel experience.
- The death of a friend or relative that influenced you.
- The loss of a pet that changed your life.
- Your best friend and how you met.
- Your first time on a plane.
- The first book you read.
- The worst memory you have.
There are three basic types of questions that research projects can address:
- Descriptive. When a study is designed primarily to describe what is going on or what exists. ...
- Relational. When a study is designed to look at the relationships between two or more variables. ...
- Causal.
Let's start with everyday types of questions people ask, and the answers they're likely to elicit.
- Closed questions (aka the 'Polar' question) ...
- Open questions. ...
- Probing questions. ...
- Leading questions. ...
- Loaded questions. ...
- Funnel questions. ...
- Recall and process questions. ...
- Rhetorical questions.
- Research.
- Scientific Control.
- Primary Research.
- Qualitative Information.
- Research Topics.
- Electromagnetic Spectrum.
- Observational Study.
- Business Experiments.
How to Start (and Complete) a Research Paper
- Choose a topic.
- Read and keep records.
- Form a thesis.
- Create a mind map or outline.
- Read again.
- Rethink your thesis.
- Draft the body.
- Revise.
Introduction
- General Structure and Writing Style.
- Action Research Design.
- Case Study Design.
- Causal Design.
- Cohort Design.
- Cross-Sectional Design.
- Descriptive Design.
- Experimental Design.
A good research involves systematic planning and setting time-based, realistic objectives. It entails feasible research methods based upon a research methodology that best suits the nature of your research question. It is built upon sufficient relevant data and is reproducible and replicable.
What are some examples of research? ›
Qualitative methods
- One-to-one Interview.
- Focus Groups.
- Ethnographic studies.
- Text Analysis.
- Case Study.
There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research. attempts to establish cause- effect relationships among the variables.
What are the 7 qualitative research? ›
Grounded theory, ethnographic, narrative research, historical, case studies, and phenomenology are several types of qualitative research designs. The proceeding paragraphs give a brief over view several of these qualitative methods.
What are the 6 research methods? ›
In conducting research, sociologists choose between six research methods: (1) survey, (2) participant observation, (3), secondary analysis, (4) documents, (5) unobtrusive measures, and (6) experiments.
What is the best topic for students? ›
Argumentative Essay Topics
- Should plastic be banned?
- Pollution due to Urbanization.
- Education should be free.
- Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
- Selling Tobacco should be banned.
- Smoking in public places should be banned.
- Facebook should be banned.
- Students should not be allowed to play PUBG.
Here are some tips:
- Choose a topic that you are interested in! ...
- Narrow your topic to something manageable. ...
- Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment. ...
- Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
- Talk about research ideas with a friend.
Keep the title statement as concise as possible. You want a title that will be comprehensible even to people who are not experts in your field. Check our article for a detailed list of things to avoid when writing an effective research title. Make sure your title is between 5 and 15 words in length.
How do I find a hot research topic? ›
One good method for finding hot topics is to look for issues that cause problems for other researchers. Begin by searching for and reading literature in your field. Start with general interest journals, but don't limit yourself to journal publications only; you can also look for clues in the news or on research blogs.
What are current hot topics? ›
- Free-Market Capitalism.
- Global Climate Change.
- Evolution.
- Marijuana Legalization.
- Capital Punishment.
- Marriage Equality.
With that, here is a collection of trending topics worth keeping an eye on:
- Tiktok ads. 5-year search growth: 9200% ...
- Digital Twin. 5-year search growth: 278% ...
- Fasting Tea. 5-year search growth: 87% ...
- Prime gaming. 5-year search growth: 9700% ...
- Cat toothpaste. 5-year search growth: 53% ...
- Brightwheel. ...
- Vitamin C serum. ...
- Drunk elephant.
Conversation Topics That Will Work Anywhere
- Tell me about yourself. ...
- What's been the best part of your day so far? ...
- What do you do to relax? ...
- What book are you reading right now? ...
- What's your favorite thing about your hometown? ...
- What's the last thing you bought online that you really loved?
These topics are simple ideas that nearly everyone can answer without much effort.
- Favorite foods.
- Favorite tv shows.
- Favorite form of entertainment.
- Favorite book.
- Favorite video games.
- Favorite season.
- Favorite movie.
- Favorite holiday.
Effective titles in academic research papers have several characteristics.
- Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.
- Avoid using abbreviations.
- Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest.
- Use current nomenclature from the field of study.
Types of questions
- Closed questions. ...
- Open questions. ...
- Funnel questions. ...
- Leading questions. ...
- Recall and process questions. ...
- Rhetorical questions. ...
- Divergent questions. ...
- Probing questions.
Can a teacher's expectation affect a student's achievement? Can training students on test taking skills improve performance on standardized tests? Does the use of quizzes/tests in a course increase student achievement? Can early intervention programs improve school performance of children at risk?
There are five main types of quantitative research designs and they are:
- Descriptive Research Design.
- Survey Research.
- Correlational Research Design.
- Quasi-experimental Research Design.
- Experimental Research Design.
The most common starting questions are “what is your research about?" and “what was your motivation behind choosing this topic?” Later on, the committee asks you more detailed questions on research methodology, literature review, study variables, research findings, recommendations, and areas of further research.
What is a research topic? ›
A research topic is a subject or issue that a researcher is interested in when conducting research. A well-defined research topic is the starting point of every successful research project. Choosing a topic is an ongoing process by which researchers explore, define, and refine their ideas.
What is a strong question? ›
Strong: Questions that help the other person reach his or her own conclusions or get committed to a course of action. For example: "What do you think is your strongest option right now?" Or, "How would you assess your team's effectiveness?
What is the 4 question method? ›
Question One: What happened? (Narration) Question Two: What were they thinking? (Interpretation) Question Three: Why then and there? (Explanation) Question Four: What do we think about that? (Judgment)
What are the 5 chapters of research paper? ›
- Chapter 1: Introduction.
- Chapter 2: Methods.
- Chapter 3: Major paper.
- Chapter 4: Normal thesis chapter, final preliminary study.
- Chapter 5: General discussion.
While there is no standard format for a Concept Paper, generally the following information is given:
- Name of the Organization.
- Title of the Proposed Project.
- Potential Donor.
- Context (not more than 300 words)
- Rationale for the Proposed Project.
- Project Goals and Objectives.
- Project Strategy/ Listing of Project Activities.
A research report has seven components:
- Abstract or Summary.
- Introduction.
- Review of Literature.
- Methods.
- Results.
- Conclusions and Discussion.
- References.
"11 Steps" basically consists of 11 stages that complement each other as a method of discussion. This phased classification is as follows: Manifestation, Description, Prediction, Investigation, Determination, Diagnosis, Verification, Treatment, Reinforcement, Progress, and Tracking.
What are the 3 common research designs? ›
Exploratory research design. Descriptive research design. Causal research design (experiments)
Chapter I: Introduction. Chapter II: Review of Literature. Chapter III: Methodology (Research Design & Methods) Chapter IV: Presentation of Research (Results)
Can I start my research paper with a question? ›
It should provide more information about your research and the main outcome that you have achieved. It is not advisable to have a question as the title of your paper as it is the first thing readers will see about your paper.
How do you start a 20 page research paper? ›
Strategies for Writing a 20-Page Paper
- Initial Research and Topic Selection.
- Organize Topics and Create a Draft.
- Create Transitions; Write an Introduction and Conclusion.
- Edit and Polish.
It should begin by providing your reader a general understanding of the overall topic. The middle of the introduction should narrow down the topic so your reader understands the relevance of the topic and what you plan to accomplish in your paper.
What is the best topic to research on? ›
Below mentioned are the three crucial factors to contemplate before selecting the best research paper topics.
- Environment. ...
- Health. ...
- Business.
- Technology. Analyze the history and future of self-driving vehicles. ...
- Religion.
- Music.
- Education.
- Current Affairs. How have the motives of feminists changed over the decades?
Education Research Paper Topics
- How can standardized tests improve education?
- Does college graduates make more money?
- Should education be cheaper?
- How will modern technologies change the way of teaching in the future?
- The creation of particular learning methods for blind children.
- Social networking and school.
Most Controversial Topics List
- Gun Control.
- Abortion.
- Religious Freedom.
- Animal Rights.
- Vaccines.
- Privacy Rights.
- Free-Market Capitalism.
- Global Climate Change.
Research Topics:
- Infectious disease. 29 articles | 1,643,000 views. ...
- Nutritional immunology. 29 articles | 768,000 views. ...
- Music therapy. 44 articles | 268,000 views. ...
- Political misinformation. 11 articles | 219,000 views. ...
- Plant science. 15 articles | 198,000 views. ...
- Sustainable agriculture. ...
- Mental health. ...
- Aging brains.
Let's get started.
- Identify the topics that resonates with your audience.
- Find the top content trends in your chosen topic area.
- Understand the questions people have about these opportunities.
- Identify where you can uniquely add value to the conversation.
- Now write!
Here are some educational research topic ideas you must explore: The reasons for increased computer literacy among early childhood learners. The role of video games in studying. Male vs Female role models in early childhood period.
Other Great Research Paper Topics:
- Technology.
- Religion.
- Social Media.
- Music.
- Education.
- Health.
- Social issues.
- Environment.
The five common topics are: definition, comparison, circ*mstance, relationship, and authority. We start with definition. If two people can't agree on the definition of whatever they want to discuss, there's no point in moving forward with the conversation.
What is trending in 2022? ›
Designers like Tom Ford, Rodarte and Prabal Gurung punctuated their Spring/Summer 2022 collections with shimmering fabrics and sequins fit for a Gatsby-era fete. So when the Covid blues creep in, go for disco ball eyelids, glitter nails or a sequin shift dress to lift your spirits.
What are debatable topics? ›
Debate Topics
- Is digital technology making children's lives better?
- Teachers should be allowed to smack naughty children.
- Books are better than television.
- Children should be paid to go to school.
- Computers should replace teachers.
- Every child should have a pet.
- This house would ban boxing.
- This House would ban homework.
