Many students, when they first get a research assignment that lets them pick a topic, struggle with how to pick one that is manageable and fits the assignment. Here are steps to help:
1. What question do you want to answer in your paper (or other project)?
A college-level paper (unlike most high school papers which only summarize one or more sources) usually requires you to craft a sufficiently narrow, discipline-specific question that you then attempt to answer in the body of your paper, using reliable sources to back up your arguments. As you think of a topic, always keep in mind the end product should be in the form of a question.
- Start by identifying a topic that interests you. The exact focus of the topic/question (and answer) will likely change as you start reading the literature on it.
- If you're not sure where to start, try scanning your textbook, course readings, or lecture notes for ideas.
- If you're really stuck, ask your instructor for guidance or you can try a generative A.I. tool like ChatGPT to help generate possible ideas. To be absolutely clear, use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools like ChatGPT should always be done with extreme caution, and using them as a substitute for your coursework, the same as using a paper mill, is academic dishonesty and can have serious consequences. However, these tools can be an effective way to generate possible starting topic ideas. Here's how: on the ChatGPT site, try a question prompt like this: Suggest some potential topics on workplace diversity for an academic paper or Suggest some potential topics within the field of nursing related to patient safety. Submitting something like that based on your assignment will generate a list of topic ideas. Don't use such A.I. suggestions verbatim; use them as a jumping off point to explore a topic a little more using the next steps below.
2. Get some background information about your topic
- Once you have an idea for a starting topic, do background reading. Search for a Wikipedia or encyclopedia entry directly related to your topic. This will equip you with the necessary knowledge and terminology to find sources and write about the topic.
- You don't use this kind of information as a cited source in your paper, but getting an understanding of the scope and history of your topic and terminology related to it is essential. Doing this helps you understand several key things:
- the place of your topic in the wider discipline
- the jargon often used in scholarly sources
- ideas for narrower aspects to investigate
- names of important people, places, theories, laws, etc. (i.e., terminology that can be used when searching the scholarly literature) related to your topic.
Example starting topic: Use of military gear and tactics by police > Wikipedia article (Militarization of Police).
3. Narrow your topic and put it in the form of a question
Once you have a broad starting topic of interest, you likely need to refine or narrow it. Start by doing some brainstorming about your topic. The end goal (and you'll have a better sense of this once you do some background reading) is finding a question whose possible answer(s) are manageable and open to your ideas, arguments, or interpretations. Here are some example starting topics and more focused research questions derived from them:
- Use of military gear and tactics by police > How has the use of military-style gear changed the riot control tactics and behavior of local U.S. law enforcement? Background reading: Wikipedia: Militarization of Police
- History of the science fiction genre > How did the invention of steam engines influence the development of science fiction literature? Background reading: Wikipedia: History of Science Fiction
- Anti-bullying programs > A comparison of three secondary school anti-bullying programs: Which has better outcomes? Background reading: StopBullying.gov
Questions that are too broad [+ focused and open-ended versions]
- What is diversity in the workplace? [instead: What kinds of successes and failures have social media companies seen with recent diversity initiatives? or How does workplace satisfaction impact employee perceptions of diversity initiatives?]
- Do bicycle lanes work? [instead: What impact do urban bicycle lanes have on traffic safety? or How has the construction of bicycle lanes in Buffalo impacted downtown businesses?]
4. Lastly, two other considerations as you begin any research project:
- Assess your knowledge vs your assumptions
Research writing should be as objective as possible. However, biases (we all have them) can get in the way of this. Our world view, beliefs, and experiences can create blind spots in how we interact with information. One such blind spot is called confirmation bias. This universal bias has been extensively studied and influences how we seek, understand and remember information. This means we subconsciously gravitate to information that confirms our existing beliefs. One way to combat these kinds of inherent human biases is to take stock of your own beliefs and how they may color your view of the topic.
- Think about how information is traditionally produced and disseminated
Be aware that most information is created inside a system with human biases built into it. These biases have traditionally raised up white, male, Western voices, while downplaying or silencing other, culturally marginalized or non-Western ones. In other words, what is published and promoted as accepted knowledge or mainstream theory is sometimes a reflection of the existing power structures within that society or specific discipline.
