A research topic is a subject or issue that a researcher is interested in when conducting research. A well-defined research topic is the starting point of every successful research project. Choosing a topic is an ongoing process by which researchers explore, define, and refine their ideas.
A Topic Is Not a Question
APA 7th Edition (American Psychological Assoc.)
Thomas S. Mullaney, & Christopher Rea. (2022). Where Research Begins : Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World). University of Chicago Press.
A research question is a question that guides your research. You want a research question that is clear and easy to understand.
The research question...
A Topic |
A Question |
| Is a noun, perhaps with a modifier | Is a sentence with a question mark at the end |
|
May be broad or specific |
May be broad or specific |
| Indicates an area of curiosity | Indicates an area of curiosity, and some sense of how you will satisfy that curiosity |
| Raises innumerable questions, but often ones that pull in a thousand different directions | Raises more specific, related questions |
| Has no answer | Has an answer, and sometimes several |
| Topic | Research Questions? |
|
Autism |
What are the known causes of autism? What are some effective treatments of autism? Will food therapies help to cure autism? |
| Welfare |
In California, is the welfare system helping or preventing individuals to become self-sufficient? What are the identified problems of the welfare system in California? |
| Online Learning |
Which types of students benefit most from online learning? How do children between the ages of five and ten years old learn best: by using online learning methods or the traditional form of education? |
| Social Media |
Will the use of social media promote self-esteem among college students? How to use social media in classroom settings? |
UNCLEAR: What are the harmful effects of cell phones?
Clear: What impact does mining for metals used in cell phones have on the environment?
When writing research questions: Try to produce a question that is complex enough to answer with a paper rather than an internet search.