Sometimes researchers are assigned a topic or problem to research, other times the researcher has freedom of choice. The same process should be pursued when exploring an issue or idea for personal interest or career-related. The challenge begins with choosing on a topic. Overwhelmed with the vast amount of intriguing issues and concerns, many researchers choose a topic that is difficult to manage. Begin by brainstorming ideas, let your imagination go wildly free. Open your mind to any issue that intrigues you, including several that are magical or supernatural. What if straw could be changed into gold, how would that happen? How does telepathy work? When considering ideas that are “impossible”, they become “possible” and often actually develop!
First, consider your degree program or career interest and ponder an issue in that field. Talk to a practitioner in the field, browse a magazine or trade publication for an article of interest, or peruse a text for a topic you discussed in a class found fascinating that warrants further probing. After choosing a general topic, brainstorm at least three verifiable elements to focus your research on, then decide which of those elements is the most intriguing and appropriate for the assignment. Most researchers are interested in their topics if they choose something that they consider important to their future, especially if there is a professional benefit.
Next, make sure the research will address an issue or topic, not a product or brand. If a compare/contrast research project is assigned, comparing brands often provides free advertising through the research, if the focus is on the product. However, comparing/contrasting the features, process of manufacturing, or quality of material, without reference to brand or product can be fascinating!
A topic for college-level research should be focused and of interest to peers. Many times researchers are concerned that the topic is too specific and there is not enough information on the topic. However, this is rarely the case, there are vast amounts of in-depth resources, and the difficulty is in locating and understanding them. Researchers need to be able to probe the topic extensively and prepare for the depth of information available from the research.
In addition to those basic guidelines, consider a few other factors that may impact topic selection. There are several different types of research presentations, such as oral, dramatic, visual or written work to present the resulting project. Researchers should consider the format of the resulting project, and be able to present in the format required for the project.
The information learned in the research process is compiled with a purpose, which is often defined by the instructor in the structure of the assignment. Many times, the purpose of the research project is to inform or explain an issue. Other assignments may require the student to persuade or convince the reader to agree with an idea or purchase a product or service. Other assignments require the researcher to present the material learned with the purpose of entertaining the reader. If the assignment is to compare and contrast two similar ideas, products or services, make sure you research and have equivalent depth of information on both. Then, you will more easily share the similarities and differences with balance and objectively. The bottom line is to make sure the topic “fits the purpose” of the research.
Unless otherwise specified, consider your peers (especially those in the same class) the intended audience. When choosing the topic and presentation format, consider the interests and current level of understanding of your classmates. Introducing a topic familiar to the audience requires a more in-depth approach than a topic that is comparatively new to all.
Additional factors in choosing a topic are dependent on the assignment requirements, such as level of depth, resource requirements, time allowed for the assignment, etc. Make sure to choose a topic that fulfills the requirements, is manageable and has enough depth for a college-level research project.
