Choosing a Research Topic

Start with an idea

The mind map Research is a useful starting point. It suggests finding a topic that interests you and focusing on a specific aspect. It also asks you to consider the situation for your research and find a genre you like. Use it to explore an initial idea before deciding how to narrow it.

Find a topic also looks at interests and limiting a topic. It includes prompts about which themes work and scheduling your work. Together, the maps offer different ways to think about an idea that feels too large.

Check whether the topic fits

Next, look at Choosing your Topic. This mind map raises questions about whether an idea is appropriate for a project, whether it fits the project requirements and whether it depends on support from others when independent study is required.

The notes on researchable topics offer another perspective. They discuss whether knowledge and information about a topic are supported by observable, factual and logical evidence. You can use these points alongside the map's project-fit questions when considering your own idea.

Use the quiz alongside the maps

Choosing a Research Topic and Question presents a question about whether the economies resulting from a trash burning plant outweigh its environmental impact. It also points to the need to sift through information on both sides. After looking at the maps, try the quiz and consider how its example frames a research question.

For more examples of possible directions, Research Project Topics lists ideas including addiction, human rights and climate change.

Place this topic in the unit

Choosing a Research Topic is a section of The Research Process, Problem and Proposal, a unit in Research methods and academic skills. These resources let you focus on the topic-selection section of that unit. Choose a map to explore, then use its prompts to examine an idea of your own.