The first source of research paper topic ideas should always come from your academic faculty. Your course director will usually provide a list of research paper topics and you will be asked to choose one that interests you.
Some universities allow students to suggest ideas for research topics, but it will not be a completely free choice. The head of the faculty will need to be satisfied that his ideas are relevant to the course and that there is a suitably qualified tutor to supervise. This can rule out many topic ideas.
When choosing topic ideas for your research paper, go online. Finding information about research paper ideas on the Internet is relatively easy given the search capabilities now available. The more information available, the easier it may seem, but this is not always the case.
Research papers, by definition, should be based on research that you do yourself. Sometimes research paper topic ideas are rejected because the research has already been done and there is too much information available. Ideally, basic background information should be available, but information about the specific research paper should be limited.
When it comes to thematizing the ideas there are a series of considerations that must be taken into account.
WHAT COLLEGE YEAR IS THE PAPER FOR?
In the first 2 years of college education, it is common for an instructor or professor in a large class to assign very general topics instead of specific topics. Otherwise, she could be reading 200 articles on the California Gold Rush.
As a result, you have more freedom to choose subtopics, and new and different approaches are welcome. Find a subtopic that interests you and find a fresh approach. At this level, your tutors are not looking for original research, but how you collect and present your evidence.
In the third and final year of a first degree, and certainly if you are doing a higher degree, the topics of the research paper will be much more specific and will involve a progressively greater degree of original research.
In all cases, always look for something that interests you; otherwise, just the process of researching the idea will be a miserable experience for you. Your tutors will also be less than thrilled as your lack of interest is likely to result in boring work. For a tutor there is nothing worse than having to read a lot of boring papers from disinterested students.
WHICH FORMAT WORKS BEST?
Think about the different formats or types of work out there, and the different types you’ve written. There are process papers, chronological studies, theories, surveys, discussion papers, papers that study the cause and effect(s) of an event or behavior, papers that are arguments, including pros and cons, and many more.
If the instructor has outlined the required format, use the required format. Don’t try to be smart and choose a different format. If no format is specified, choose a format that suits your style. It is always easier to write in whatever format you are comfortable with.
WHERE DO YOU LOOK?
Your starting point should always be the topic idea for the research paper given to you by your tutor. Within the restrictions set by your tutor, specific ideas may be taken from any source. Current affairs and the real world often present a different perspective, especially in humanities subjects.
Previous research papers are often available in the library. Take a look, as they often give ideas in a different perspective excluded in the full thesis. A well-written research thesis will explain the limitations of the research, and looking beyond the limitations can provide new insights.
Search online for available research paper topic ideas and read related web pages. Go to online forums, there may be one on your topic, and see what’s being discussed. This can be an excellent source of ideas for any form of written evaluation.
Here are some more sources to help you find your research topic ideas. Good luck and have fun with what works for YOU!
CLASS SUBJECT RESOURCES
Magazine and newspaper databases
digital dissertations
Newspapers and news lists
Blogs: There are blogs on almost every topic imaginable. Check blog directories.
online encyclopedias
Online Theme Archives
ANOTHER RESOURCES
Books, not just reference books. Look in the table of contents and indexes for more ideas.
popular magazines
Directories including DMOZ, Google and Yahoo, and other online sources.
