How to choose a research paper topic – with examples.

Coming up with a research topic is one of the most important parts of writing a research paper. Your research question is the centre of all your research, methodology and analysis. It dictates how you write your essay.

But sometimes having too much choice can be overwhelming. From literature to science, art, music and culture, there’s so much potential for academic exploration. It can be difficult to think of just one topic to throw yourself into.

This Adobe Express article will guide you through how to come up research ideas and provide example topics to research to help you narrow down your thoughts.

What are research topics?

A research topic is the main focus of an academic paper and encapsulates your argument or thesis that you plan to investigate. It could be a question that your paper is trying to answer or a statement that you need to discuss.

The topic you chose depends on your assignment, but it may be one you know a lot about, or one that you believe you can gather valuable data on. You may be limited on things to research from a certain field. Or in the case of some UK university dissertations, you may be able to decide on any topic at all as long as you can justify the need for the research and demonstrate how it will fill a gap in current literature.

Time to choose: How to pick your final research topic.

Picking your final research topic is a big decision. At the end of the day the topic you go for is completely up to you, so you’re free to reflect and revise your decision as you see fit. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself before you start your essay:

Is it specific enough?

Having a specific question or statement to research can help to structure your paper and ensure that you stay on track. Good research topics have scope for wider research but should still have enough in itself to sink your teeth into.

Is it too complicated?

Similarly, if the topic is too complicated the research paper may end up becoming too broad. You need to fully understand the purpose of your research paper to provide an answer or convincing argument.

Is there enough research?

While your research paper should address a gap in the current literature on the topic, if nothing exists already it could raise questions over whether there is scope for research. Find out if your topic has grounds for exploration and check with your tutor or academic advisor.

Will you be able to fill the word count?

Quality over quantity always, but you still need to consider the assignment guidelines. There may be a word count you need to reach in order to submit or pass. Consider if your research topic example has enough scope for you to be able to complete a whole paper on it.

Is the workload manageable and practical?

Think about the time constraints of your project. Is this a topic area that you can fully explore in the time you have? If it requires a lot of primary research, you’ll need to factor this into your timeline too.

Examples of research topic ideas.

Now you have a better understanding of what makes a good research topic, take inspiration from our research paper topic examples below:

Healthcare.

• Discuss the long-term implications of delayed elective surgeries due to COVID-19.
• Analyse and compare the long-term effects of smoking and vaping on the body.
• Examine the role of exercise in managing mental wellbeing.
• Explore developments in gene therapy for treating genetic diseases.
• Analyse stem cell research advancements for treating spinal injuries.

Technology.

• Discuss the ethics of using AI technology in education.
• Explore the environmental impacts of the rise of AI technology.
• Analyse the impact of remote work and whether it contributes to a more or less motivated workforce.
• Explore wearable technology and what it means for personal health management.
• Examine the effects of the internet on in-person interactions.

Literature and media.

• Examine the danger of misinformation through social media.
• Assess the impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.
• Analyse the shift from traditional news outlets towards social media channels like TikTok.
• Explore the rise of podcasts and how society chooses to consume media.
• Discuss the ethics of algorithms curating personalised content.

Social sciences.

• Compare the efficiencies of global electoral systems.
• Explore the role of social media in influencing elections.
• Discuss the leading causes of political extremism.
• Examine the impact of war on foreign policy.
• Analyse strategies for fighting political corruption.

Environmental studies.

• Discuss the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals in combatting climate change.
• Examine the role of clean energy in future urban development.
• Explore the effects of fast fashion in exacerbating climate change.
• Analyse the implications of greenwashing in advertising.
• Discuss the impact of climate change on island nations.

Business and economics.

• Examine the long-term implications of the 2008 financial crisis.
• Explore the role of cryptocurrency in future economies.
• Analyse the impact of government tariffs on small businesses.
• Discuss the effectiveness of different leadership styles and their impact on business performance.
• Examine the landscape for start-ups in the UK.

Education.

• Analyse the relationship between socio-economic factors and academic outcomes.
• Discuss the role of AI in future education.
• Examine the role of family support in student results.
• Explore the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on education.
• Analyse the effectiveness of exams as an assessment practice.