The do’s of choosing a research topic : Part 1

Choosing a research topic can be a challenging task. It’s the very first step in your research. During a course of study, you may have to write several kinds of papers. You may be asked to choose from a list of topics or choose your own research topic. It can be daunting when you are not sure of how to start. Here are some tips that can help you select the right topic for your research paper.

 

  1. Choose a topic that interests you

Working on something that doesn’t excite you will make the process tedious. Chances of getting demotivated are pretty high when you are not intrigued by the subject. The research content should reflect your passion for research. Hence, it is essential to research in your area of interest rather than choosing a topic that interests someone else.

 

  1. Ensure the topic is relevant

It is essential that your subject meets the research requirements. When in doubt, review the guidelines. If need be, seek clarification from your guide or professor. While developing your research topic, broaden your thinking and creativity. Find out what works out best for you; researching on a subject of high importance, or venturing into a rarely touched yet gripping space. It may take some time to narrow down on a topic and get started, but it’s worth the effort.

 

  1. Keep the topic focused

Sometimes the topic that you choose may be too broad to research on. A research paper with too many details and no direction can distort the purpose of the research. The research process also may seem never-ending. So, in a situation like this, you need to limit the scope of the research topic. To begin with, be sure to have a clear picture of the purpose of your research. Once you achieve this, you can fine-tune the topic and experiment until you are convinced of the outcome.

 

  1. Ensure you have enough resources to support your research

If the topic is too narrow, you may not be able to provide the depth of coverage needed. Hence while choosing a topic make sure you have adequate material to help with the research. Apart from journals, books, and information off the internet, you could get in touch with your librarian as well. Librarians these days have expertise in curating research data and managing data repositories.

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