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One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Research guides, guide to research and writing for the academic study of religion.

• Topic Pyramids
• Research Assignment Parameters
• Thesis statement
• Identifying Interests
• Controversy
• Availability of Sources

Preliminary Research

• Developing Your Question and Thesis
• Research Question and Thesis Statement Examples
• Periodicals
• Primary Sources
• Reference Works - Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Biographies etc
• Journal Articles
• Primary Sources This link opens in a new window
• Web Search Engines
• Web Directories
• Invisible Web
• Does the Library hold the article I need?
• Locating resources unavailable at U of C Library
• Content of Databases
• Standardized Terminology
• Review Quiz Databases
• Keyword Searching
• Search Limits
• Phrase Searching
• Truncations and Wildcards
• Boolean Operators
• Proximity Operators
• Natural Language Searching
• Searching Basics Quiz
• Search Overview
• Selecting Records
• Combing Searchers
• General Criteria
• Quoting in text
• in Text Citations
• List of References
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Staying Organized
• Links to Writing Help
• Sources Used in Creating this Workbook

Developing a good research question is impossible without doing some preliminary research.  Preliminary research gives you background information on your topic, answering questions such as who, what, when and where.  This research will also help you determine controversies related to your topic and determine if there are enough sources available to cover the topic effectively.

 You will encounter and learn much more information than you will convey in your final paper. Background information will enrich your research paper but should not bog it down in trivia. For example, if you were doing a paper on Hildegaard of Bingen, you should know that she was born into a noble family in Germany in 1098 and entered a hermitage at the age of eight and became a Benedictine Abbess. This information will help you contextualize her work in your own mind but your research paper should not be a simple recitation of these facts. Your research question should take you beyond the common knowledge found in encyclopedias, but without that  common knowledge your research will lack a solid foundation.

What follows is a list of resources that you may find useful for doing preliminary research in the field of Religious Studies. Keep in mind the type of information that you will need based on your preliminary topic and where your topic falls in the topic pyramid. Remember that the pyramid is a continuum rather than a series of discrete stages, so your topic likely will draw on both columns for some resources.

Resources for Preliminary Research

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Research Topic Ideas: Preliminary Research

• Getting Started
• Brainstorming
• Topic Generation
• Preliminary Research
• Research Topic Ideas by Subject
• Keeping Track of Sources and Citations

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What is Preliminary Research?

Preliminary research is the process of exploring what research has already been done on a topic or set of topics. Doing preliminary research can help you to narrow or broaden your topic idea . You can also determine useful keywords or related topics by consulting existing research. Use the resources on this page to get started.  

How to Start the Research Process   This article provides six tips for how to start the research process.

What are Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources?   This guide defines different types of sources and offers tips for evaluating their credibility.

Journal Articles

Digital Public Library of America   This resource contains thousands of books, images, videos, and sounds.

Directory of Open Access Books   This directory features thousands of peer-reviewed books.

Open Textbook Library   This resource includes hundreds of free textbooks.

Open Access Databases

arXiv   This resource archives free, full-text journal articles from the sciences and mathematics.

Directory of Open Access Journals   This resource allows you to search for journal articles from a wide range of disciplines.

Google Scholar   Use Google Scholar to search for full-text journal articles.

PubMed   PubMed hosts full-text journal articles from the medical and health sciences.

How to Read Academic Research

How to Read a Scholarly Article   This article breaks down the components of scholarly articles and features tips for reading them.

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6.2: Preliminary Research Strategies

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The first step towards writing a research paper is pretty obvious: find sources. Not everything that you find will be good, and those that are good are not always easily found. Having an idea of what you’re looking for–what will most help you develop your essay and enforce your thesis–will help guide your process.

Example of a Research Process

A good research process should go through these steps:

• Decide on the topic.
• Narrow the topic in order to narrow search parameters.
• Create a question that your research will address.
• Generate sub-questions from your main question.
• Determine what kind of sources are best for your argument.
• Create a bibliography as you gather and reference sources.

Each of these is described in greater detail below.

Preliminary Research Strategies

A research plan should begin after you can clearly identify the focus of your argument. First, inform yourself about the basics of your topic (Wikipedia and general online searches are great starting points). Be sure you’ve read all the assigned texts and carefully read the prompt as you gather preliminary information. This stage is sometimes called pre-research .

A broad online search will yield thousands of sources, which no one could be expected to read through. To make it easier on yourself, the next step is to narrow your focus. Think about what kind of position or stance you can take on the topic. What about it strikes you as most interesting? Refer back to the prewriting stage of the writing process, which will come in handy here.

Preliminary Search Tips

• It is okay to start with Wikipedia as a reference, but do not use it as an official source. Look at the links and references at the bottom of the page for more ideas.
• Use “Ctrl+F” to find certain words within a webpage in order to jump to the sections of the article that interest you.
• Use quotation marks to narrow your search from just tanks in WWII to “Tanks in WWII” or “Tanks” in “WWII”.
• Find specific types of websites by adding “site:.gov” or “site:.edu” or “site:.org”. You can also search for specific file types like “filetype:.pdf”.
• Click on “Search Tools” under the search bar in Google and select “Any time” to see a list of options for time periods to help limit your search. You can find information just in the past month or year, or even for a custom range.

As you narrow your focus, create a list of questions that you’ll need to answer in order to write a good essay on the topic. The research process will help you answer these questions.

Another part of your research plan should include the type of sources you want to gather. Keep track of these sources in a bibliography and jot down notes about the book, article, or document and how it will be useful to your essay. This will save you a lot of time later in the essay process–you’ll thank yourself!

Contributors and Attributions

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• The Research Process graphic. Authored by : Kim Louie for Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Organizing Your Research Plan. Provided by : Boundless. Located at : https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-writing/ . Project : Boundless Writing. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike

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After selecting the general topic, read one or two articles from current encyclopedia and determine three or four elements that additional research will pique your interest. Then, reflect on your personal interests related to the topic, and choose the area of focus that is most interesting and thought-provoking. If the topic is interesting, you will easily stimulate your peers to learn from your research.

This step is called preliminary research , and is important to develop a focus on the topic. In addition to refining your topic, this step is important to gain some background or foundational information, in preparation for the in-depth conversations with experts on the topic. For example, if you were to attend a conference on your topic about post-traumatic stress syndrome for veterans that served in Afghanistan, most attendees would be familiar with the major issues, and the presenters would share the material assuming the audience has that level of understanding. It is a comparable situation for anyone researching a topic on an advanced level. The professional publications recommended for college-level research assume the audience has a foundation of information on the topic, and presents the content with that foundation.

As researchers, students need to have an adequate level of understanding of those common knowledge elements. Most encyclopedia articles contain the “common knowledge” material on the topic at hand, and professional literature is written assuming the audience has acquired that foundation. With this preparation, students can converse with experts on the topic, reading and responding to the information. Also, many times a student discovers an interesting topic presented in class, and college texts may be used for preliminary research as well.

One common problem for many students doing research is that their topic is too general. For example, a student might want to explore learning styles. The encyclopedia article may describe several learning styles, but a researcher might learn quickly that this topic is too general. The student should make a list of elements to narrow down the topic and make it more manageable. For example, how do certain learning styles work better for different subjects in school? How do different personality elements contribute to the student’s learning style? What teaching style(s) work best for a specific learning style for math? How should an instructor adjust his/her teaching style present material to reach more learning styles? The more specific research questions often have at least three elements, based on “who,” “what,” “where,” “why,” and “when”.

Another common problem develops when students want to research a new issue, especially a recently developed health concern. For example, a student that wants to research a cure for COVID19, might be very frustrated because the research is so recent and very little has been published. In the encyclopedia articles, look for what professionals have learned, and choose research questions that focus on how/why it works, explore how researchers were able to verify the success of a program, or another exploratory question.

Talk with other classmates and instructor about your topic and develop a specific research question to explore through your research. Does your research question need research to explore and explain an issue of interest to you?

Let the Research Begin: Preliminary Research

Bridging the Gap: A Guide to College-Level Research Copyright © 2021 by Catherine J Gray is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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1000+ FREE Research Topics & Title Ideas

If you’re at the start of your research journey and are trying to figure out which research topic you want to focus on, you’ve come to the right place. Select your area of interest below to view a comprehensive collection of potential research ideas.

Research Topic FAQs

What (exactly) is a research topic.

A research topic is the subject of a research project or study – for example, a dissertation or thesis. A research topic typically takes the form of a problem to be solved, or a question to be answered.

A good research topic should be specific enough to allow for focused research and analysis. For example, if you are interested in studying the effects of climate change on agriculture, your research topic could focus on how rising temperatures have impacted crop yields in certain regions over time.

To learn more about the basics of developing a research topic, consider our free research topic ideation webinar.

What constitutes a good research topic?

A strong research topic comprises three important qualities : originality, value and feasibility.

• Originality – a good topic explores an original area or takes a novel angle on an existing area of study.
• Value – a strong research topic provides value and makes a contribution, either academically or practically.
• Feasibility – a good research topic needs to be practical and manageable, given the resource constraints you face.

To learn more about what makes for a high-quality research topic, check out this post .

What's the difference between a research topic and research problem?

A research topic and a research problem are two distinct concepts that are often confused. A research topic is a broader label that indicates the focus of the study , while a research problem is an issue or gap in knowledge within the broader field that needs to be addressed.

To illustrate this distinction, consider a student who has chosen “teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom” as their research topic. This research topic could encompass any number of issues related to teenage pregnancy such as causes, prevention strategies, health outcomes for mothers and babies, etc.

Within this broad category (the research topic) lies potential areas of inquiry that can be explored further – these become the research problems . For example:

• What factors contribute to higher rates of teenage pregnancy in certain communities?
• How do different types of parenting styles affect teen pregnancy rates?
• What interventions have been successful in reducing teenage pregnancies?

Simply put, a key difference between a research topic and a research problem is scope ; the research topic provides an umbrella under which multiple questions can be asked, while the research problem focuses on one specific question or set of questions within that larger context.

How can I find potential research topics for my project?

There are many steps involved in the process of finding and choosing a high-quality research topic for a dissertation or thesis. We cover these steps in detail in this video (also accessible below).

How can I find quality sources for my research topic?

Finding quality sources is an essential step in the topic ideation process. To do this, you should start by researching scholarly journals, books, and other academic publications related to your topic. These sources can provide reliable information on a wide range of topics. Additionally, they may contain data or statistics that can help support your argument or conclusions.

Identifying Relevant Sources

When searching for relevant sources, it’s important to look beyond just published material; try using online databases such as Google Scholar or JSTOR to find articles from reputable journals that have been peer-reviewed by experts in the field.

You can also use search engines like Google or Bing to locate websites with useful information about your topic. However, be sure to evaluate any website before citing it as a source—look for evidence of authorship (such as an “About Us” page) and make sure the content is up-to-date and accurate before relying on it.

Evaluating Sources

Once you’ve identified potential sources for your research project, take some time to evaluate them thoroughly before deciding which ones will best serve your purpose. Consider factors such as author credibility (are they an expert in their field?), publication date (is the source current?), objectivity (does the author present both sides of an issue?) and relevance (how closely does this source relate to my specific topic?).

By researching the current literature on your topic, you can identify potential sources that will help to provide quality information. Once you’ve identified these sources, it’s time to look for a gap in the research and determine what new knowledge could be gained from further study.

How can I find a good research gap?

Finding a strong gap in the literature is an essential step when looking for potential research topics. We explain what research gaps are and how to find them in this post.

How should I evaluate potential research topics/ideas?

When evaluating potential research topics, it is important to consider the factors that make for a strong topic (we discussed these earlier). Specifically:

• Originality
• Feasibility

So, when you have a list of potential topics or ideas, assess each of them in terms of these three criteria. A good topic should take a unique angle, provide value (either to academia or practitioners), and be practical enough for you to pull off, given your limited resources.

Finally, you should also assess whether this project could lead to potential career opportunities such as internships or job offers down the line. Make sure that you are researching something that is relevant enough so that it can benefit your professional development in some way. Additionally, consider how each research topic aligns with your career goals and interests; researching something that you are passionate about can help keep motivation high throughout the process.

How can I assess the feasibility of a research topic?

When evaluating the feasibility and practicality of a research topic, it is important to consider several factors.

First, you should assess whether or not the research topic is within your area of competence. Of course, when you start out, you are not expected to be the world’s leading expert, but do should at least have some foundational knowledge.

Time commitment

When considering a research topic, you should think about how much time will be required for completion. Depending on your field of study, some topics may require more time than others due to their complexity or scope.

Additionally, if you plan on collaborating with other researchers or institutions in order to complete your project, additional considerations must be taken into account such as coordinating schedules and ensuring that all parties involved have adequate resources available.

Resources needed

It’s also critically important to consider what type of resources are necessary in order to conduct the research successfully. This includes physical materials such as lab equipment and chemicals but can also include intangible items like access to certain databases or software programs which may be necessary depending on the nature of your work. Additionally, if there are costs associated with obtaining these materials then this must also be factored into your evaluation process.

Potential risks

It’s important to consider the inherent potential risks for each potential research topic. These can include ethical risks (challenges getting ethical approval), data risks (not being able to access the data you’ll need), technical risks relating to the equipment you’ll use and funding risks (not securing the necessary financial back to undertake the research).

If you’re looking for more information about how to find, evaluate and select research topics for your dissertation or thesis, check out our free webinar here . Alternatively, if you’d like 1:1 help with the topic ideation process, consider our private coaching services .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

Conducting Preliminary Research

Barry Mauer and John Venecek

We discuss the following topics on this page:

Preliminary Research Strategies

We also provide the following activities:

Conducting Preliminary Research [Refresher]

Sometimes called “pre-research,” Preliminary Research is an inventive stage in which you investigate possible topics of interest. For example, once you fully understand your assignment, the next step might be to conduct some background research online, or talk to friends and classmates. However, while it’s a good idea to try out your ideas with non-experts, the real test is to try them out with experts. If your ideas are not fully formed yet, you can ask experts to help guide you in the right direction. Undergraduate students often overlook this strategy, but it can be incredibly effective and it can lead to good research topics and resources. Let’s take a closer look at some more preliminary research strategies.

• Explore Literary Studies Journals: Scholars share their work through many venues, but the most important is peer-reviewed scholarly journals in their field. Princeton keeps a list of some of the most important literary studies journals . Imagine yourself as a future contributor to one of these journals!
• Work with a Mentor: A mentor is someone who can help and guide you as a scholar during the research process. Mentorship can take many forms; UCF offers many mentorship programs such as the Research And Mentoring Program (RAMP) , McNair Scholars Program , Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT) , and the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) . Many of these offer financial and logistical support to students.
• Don’t Skip the Invention Stage: This can be a messy process, so keep a notebook to jot down ideas and questions as they occur to you. You’ll need to develop a research question, so those notes may come in handy later. Also, think about what types of sources you’ll need to complete your project. The assignment may specify certain types, such as scholarly monographs and journal articles, but what else might you need? What about media and other primary sources? Where would you find them? Should you explore digital archives or make an appointment with an archivist?
• Manage your Time : Think about time-management and set milestones. Even though pulling all-nighters is a rite of passage for college students, your stress will be greatly reduced (and  the quality of your research enhanced) if you’re not racing to finish everything at the last minute. Be sure to keep those milestones simple and achievable so you don’t get overwhelmed by unrealistic goals. We encourage you to use a planner!
• Investigate Professional Organizations : Many famous authors have organizations dedicated to their legacy. One of these is The William Faulkner Society , which assembles lists of scholarly journals, conferences and conventions, research centers and information sources, and interdisciplinary university institutes. Many such organizations also provide scholarships for students. Look through the contents of author societies’ websites, as well as recent journals and conference proceedings, to help you generate ideas for your own research.
• Talk to Experts : Finally, ask for help! You’re attending a large university where you’re surrounded by highly educated people. Don’t be afraid to schedule appointments and conduct interviews with them. Also, consider meeting with the subject librarian in your major to get an overview of key resources and tools available at the library.

Taking time to work through the preliminary research process will set the foundation for everything that comes after, and it will make your job easier.

A word about mentorship: having a mentor (whether faculty or peer) will vastly improve your experience as a researcher. Even many experienced researchers have their own mentors because they understand the value that comes with being a mentee. If you plan to work with a mentor, keep in mind a few points:

• If you are having difficulty with the research, put in some work on your own to address the problem before going to your mentor, The mentor’s job is to help you, not to do the work for you.
• Ask your mentor about their own research process so you can better understand the tasks and skills involved.
• Keep a positive attitude; even if you feel like you do not yet have the necessary knowledge or skills, tell yourself that you are in the learning stage and that you are doing your best.
• Recognize that a mentor is there to help but may not be able to meet all your needs. Take ownership of your own learning and research.
• It is okay to seek mentorship from more than one person.

Background Research [1 min 20 sec] [1]

For more advice on Conducting Preliminary Research, consider the following from WritingCommons.org: [2]

The goal of Preliminary Research is not necessarily to become an authority on a specific topic so much as to identify conversation chatter: across disciplines, what are experts talking about? And, ultimately, if given a choice, what interests you the most? Preliminary Research could involve

• discussions with friends about ideas.
• interviews with experts, bosses, clients, and teachers.
• scanning a wikipedia page or Google search
• skimming over documents to learn about the genres and research methods of particular discourse communities/community of practice.

• List three things you have researched (they don’t have to be related to school projects). Discuss your experiences with any of the research you listed. Which parts did you enjoy the most? Where did you have the most difficulty? Did you find what you were looking for? How valuable was the information and the experience?

Feel free to use a grid format, as above, or just make a list of these items under each entry.

• Sometimes the  publication date  is tricky – a work might have remained unpublished for a long period of time. If so, note when it was written (approximately) and then published. Sometimes a work may have been revised and republished. If so, indicate the publication date of the version you read (its original publication date, and not the publication date of the anthology).
• Literary genre  refers to whether a work is a novel, short story, drama, poem, parable, allegory, non-fiction, essay, folk or fairy tale, sacred text, children’s literature, or memoir. Additionally,  literary themes  can be part of genres as in comedy, tragedy, lyric, epic, detective or crime stories, science fiction, supernatural, historical, etc. These are not strict categories and a work may combine more than one.
• Nation or region of author  can be tricky as well. For instance, an author may write in a country far from where they were born and/or raised. Or they may be born in a country that is divided by region. Note anything significant about the author’s place(s).
• The  brief description  is just a sentences or a few sentences to indicate what the literature is about. It does not need to include a plot summary or a complete list of characters and themes. For example, we could say that Homer’s  Odyssey  is the story of a hero and the obstacles he faces on his journey home from war.
• Initial thoughts  are just that: thoughts upon a first reading. These could be about things you notice, things you like or dislike, things that intrigue you, things that are confusing, things that are mysteries, things that are easy or difficult, style, voice, meter, diction, etc.
• Major theory or type of criticism  refers to the major literary theories (Marxist, feminist, post-colonial, formal, historical, linguistic, audience studies, structuralist, post-structuralist, etc.) or the themes or issues being addressed. These are not strict categories and a work may combine more than one.
• The  brief description  is just a sentences or a few sentences to indicate what the literary criticism or theory is about. It does not need to include a summary of the whole argument, but should include the major claim(s).
• If there are any elements of your assignment that need clarification, please list them.
• What was the most important lesson you learned from this page? What point was confusing or difficult to understand?
• NKU, Steely Library, director. Background Research . YouTube , YouTube, 13 Dec. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gXGMJAXSU4&t=74s . Accessed 1 Apr. 2022. ↵
• Writing Commons. “Preliminary Research.” Writing Commons , 11 Aug. 2020, https://writingcommons.org/section/invention/preliminary-research/ . ↵

Students often overlook the importance of managing and organizing their research as part of the literature review. There are many programs available online, such as Zotero. There is no one proper way to manage your research, but it’s important to have a system that works for you.

As you continue down your path to becoming a researcher, one of two things tends to happen.  A) you have a closet full of printed journal articles that you are saving “just in case”, but you have no idea what’s in there, or why it was important; or B) you are constantly trying to remember what that one article was that you read that one time, but it wasn’t relevant at the time, so you threw it away; or C) all of the above.

Luckily there are citation management programs to help you wrangle and organize your research. As a bonus, they will format your bibliography into the appropriate style at the click of a button.

There are many citation management options to choose from. The key is to find the one that works best with your research style.  The most popular freely available options are Mendeley and Zotero.

For more information about each option, check out the UCF library’s guides to citation management .

Looking for an easy way to compare the different citation management system features? See this chart created and maintained by Penn Libraries.

Strategies for Conducting Literary Research, 2e Copyright © 2021 by Barry Mauer and John Venecek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Creating a Successful Research Topic Statement (PSY)

In this tutorial, we will identify what makes for a successful research topic.

Most research topics start out as a general and often vague idea that a researcher has an interest in investigating.

Inexperienced researchers, including most doctoral learners, frequently think of topics that are quite interesting, but not narrowly enough focused for a dissertation.

This tutorial will guide you through a set of steps designed to help you come up with a topic, first of all, and secondly to focus it more tightly so that you can begin a meaningful and successful search of the existing literature to discover whether your topic is actually researchable.

This tutorial's primary objective is to prepare you to create a successful research topic that may become the topic of your dissertation. To do that, we'll work through the following issues:

• First, what are the characteristics of a well-formed research topic?
• Second, how are research topics evaluated?
• Third, how can the key concepts and the population be narrowed and focused so that they are researchable?
• Fourth, how can the relationship among concepts be named so that the appropriate methodological literature can be accessed in the literature review?

Obviously, in Track 1 you are at the beginning of your studies toward the doctorate, and perhaps your dissertation is far from your thoughts. We are starting the process now, however, because our experience has been that when learners wait to start searching for their topics, it often creates a serious problem for them when they actually start the dissertation. That problem can take many forms, but the most common one is that they have not had sufficient time (and training) in exhaustively searching the relevant literature to discover whether the topic they are interested in is even viable—and without a good topic statement, a good literature search is impossible. So let's begin.

What Is a Research Topic?

A research topic is an area of interest to a researcher that is first of all, researchable. It is focused narrowly enough that its key concepts are quite plain and well integrated. It is a topic or subject that can be found in the existing literature of the researcher's field, which shows that it is of some interest or importance to that field, and has some important characteristics.

Characteristics of a Well-formed Research Topic

The first mark of a well-formed topic is that it clearly states the key concepts to be investigated. Sometimes, only one concept is named—those studies often turn out to be qualitative, but not always. More often, two or more key concepts are named. Next, it identifies the relationship or relationships among those concepts that the researcher intends to explore. Obviously, if only one concept was named, there won't be a relationship, but in that case a word like "describes" or "experiences" will give a clue to the kind of information desired. Third, a research topic specifies the population of interest to be investigated. Finally, a research topic is just a phrase. That is, it is not a full sentence with a verb. However, the well-formed topic statement will embed the actual topic in a complete sentence. Let's look at some examples.

Some Examples of Topic Statements

Here are a few topic statements that eventually lead to successful dissertations:

• Elementary age students' needs for family-based counseling services.
• Indigenous people's responses to encounters with law enforcement.
• Impact of mother's death on daughters in poor, middle class, and wealthy families.
• The relationship between assignment strategies to prevent burnout used by managers of first responders and the occurrence of burnout.
• Employees' productivity as a function of their managers' management styles.
• Strategies used by mainstream classroom teachers to manage children with behavior problems who do not receive special education.

You can see immediately that all six examples, taken from the four schools in Capella University, are phrases, not complete sentences. So far, so good. The first mark of a successful topic statement is that it identifies the key concepts to be investigated, right? Let's see how the examples do that.

Evaluating the Form of the Examples: Key Concepts

In the first example, we seem to have two key concepts: "needs" and "family-based counseling services." Are they stated clearly? Probably not clearly enough: what is meant by "needs" and "family-based counseling services" is not immediately transparent. This topic will need some work, but most topics start out this way.

Let's try another: Indigenous people’s responses to encounters with law enforcement. Here, there seem to be two key concepts: "responses" and "encounters with law enforcement." These concepts are quite broad and will have to be narrowed considerably to support a researchable topic, but they provide a good start.

Let's do one more: Employees' productivity as a function of their managers' management styles.

Here, there are two key concepts, right? Productivity and management styles.

Evaluating the Form of Topics: Relationship(s) among the Key Concepts

The second mark of a successful topic is that it identifies any relationship to be investigated between or among the key concepts. Let's look at the third example to see about this.

This topic meets our criterion of being a phrase. It seems to state at least two concepts (but with multiple levels): "death" and "socio-economic status of daughters." What about the relationship? Well, it is captured in that word "impact."

An "impact" in research jargon means the effect that one concept—death—has on another concept, in this case, the daughters. One can, in fact, replace the word impact with the word effect without changing the meaning at all. So the topic is proposing a cause-and-effect kind of relationship.

Let's look at another example: The relationship between assignment strategies to prevent burnout used by managers of first responders and the occurrence of burnout

This seems complicated, but it really isn't. First, let's check the key concepts: "Assignment strategies to prevent burnout" would seem to be one key concept, and "occurrence of burnout" would be the other. These are reasonably clear, or probably would be to someone in the human resources or management worlds. No doubt they will be further clarified as the researcher works on the topic's wording. But what about the relationship? It is in the word "relationship," obviously. And in research jargon, a "relationship" between A and B is a particular kind of relationship, called a correlation.

Now, play with the other topics to see if you can identify the relationship—if any.

Evaluating the Form of Topics: Target Population

The third sign of a successful topic is that it names the target population, the group of people or organizations or groups that the researcher is interested in. Let's evaluate some of our examples on this point.

• Elementary age students' needs for family-based counseling services : The population here is stated: Students of elementary school age.
• Indigenous people's responses to encounters with law enforcement: Here as well, the population is indigenous people.
• Impact of mother's death on daughters in poor, middle class, and wealthy families: The population is daughters in three socio-economic groups.
• The relationship between assignment strategies to prevent burnout used by managers of first responders and the occurrence of burnout: You determine who the population is in this one.

Is It Managers or Is It First Responders?

The population is managers of first responders. Or is it? The awkward wording of the topic makes this a bit hard to digest. The burnout occurs in the first responders, so maybe they are the population. But the first responders' managers are the ones using the management strategies, so are they the population?

Well, the two key concepts are management strategies (used by managers) and rate of burnout (in first responders), so the researcher will have to get information from both groups of people, so both are the target population: first responders and their managers.

Take a minute and try to figure out the rest of our examples.

Summing Up the Characteristics of a Successful Topic

We've seen in action the three chief marks of a successful research topic.

• The topic states the key concepts to be investigated.
• It states what relationship between or among the concepts will be explored. Remember, if there is only one concept (which often is the case in qualitative studies), there won't be a relationship. But if there are two or more key concepts, look for the relationship between or among them.
• The successful topic names the population of interest for the study.

A well-formed research topic will have these characteristics, but simply having them is not sufficient. The elements also need to be well-focused and narrowed down to a point where the research becomes feasible. Let's take a look at a simple method for doing this.

Narrowing the Focus

Take a look at this grid. You'll see that one of our topics has been broken out into the first column. The population is first—indigenous people—followed by two concepts: responses and law enforcement. Now look at the central column, labeled "Narrower term." Notice how the very broad population has been narrowed. Similarly, "law enforcement" has been narrowed to police (there are many other types of law enforcement, such as FBI, Homeland Security, TSA, Customs and Immigration, sheriff's departments, and so on). Similarly, there are many kinds of behaviors and experiences that could be considered "responses," but the researcher is most interested in emotional responses. Now move to the third column. Can you see how each term is being narrowed yet again?

If we restated the topic now, after having narrowed it down a bit, it would look like this: Cherokee Indians' tolerance for stress when meeting traffic officers.

Let's work through another example, this time using the topic "Employees' productivity as a function of their managers' management styles."

You can see the key terms lined up in the first column. The other two columns are blank.

What would you ask yourself, if this were your topic, in order to narrow this down?

Questions to Ask for Narrowing a Topic

There are many questions you can ask yourself when you are narrowing your topic. A good opener is "So what do I really want to know about the concept?"

Another quite good question is to ask about your real interest or passion is about the concept or the population.

You can also find helpful terms by performing controlled vocabulary searches in library databases. You can find a nice tutorial on that method of searching in the Capella library at but whatever you ask yourself, keep your focus on what you truly most want to know and care about regarding the concept.

Now, let's get back to our example.

When the researcher asked herself what sort of employees and managers she was actually interested in, she realized it was service employees and managers. The more she pondered, and was helped by a quick check of the literature in her specialization, she realized that she was most interested in call center personnel. Then she tackled productivity . From her courses in management measurement, she knew that one way to think about productivity was days at work. But that seemed too dependent on factors outside the manager-employee relationship. She wanted a more fine-grained way to look at productivity, so she narrowed it to a specific measure, calls completed times minutes per call.

Then she took on management styl e. Knowing that there are many types, her first attempt at focusing this term was authoritarian style. That didn't satisfy her, and when she looked again at her topic, she realized that that word "function" was important. It implied to her that she was really interested in knowing how different management styles related to different degrees of productivity. At first, she put together a list of known management styles, but that felt intimidating. She decided to narrow it down to just two: authoritarian vs. flexible management style.

After all this, her topic now looked like this: Productivity as measured by calls completed times minutes per call in call center employees supervised by authoritarian managers compared to productivity in call center employees supervised by flexible managers.

She knew the wording was clunky and would need to be crafted better, but she had a much more focused topic. So far, we've been looking at two things about good research topics: what they should contain (concepts, relationships, and population), and how to narrow each element. In these narrowing exercises, we've focused on the concepts and the population. Now, let's turn our attention to the relationship . This is a very important element, because it offers an important clue about the nature of the study that might ensue.

Evaluating the Relationship Named in the Topic

Research asks all kinds of questions, and the relationship named in the research topic clues us into what kind of question the ensuing study will likely ask. Here are some questions you might ask in order to choose the right word to describe the relationship you're looking for.

What do you envision really doing?

• Looking at comparisons between variables or groups of people?
• Looking at relationships between two or more concepts?
• Looking at effects of one or more concept on another concept or group?
• Looking at outcomes of some process or treatment or condition?
• Looking at experiences?
• Developing a theory to explain some phenomenon?

For each of these (and there are other sorts of questions you can ask yourself), specific words can specify the relationship. Let's look at them.

If your topic compares two or more things compared with or some similar phrase indicates the relationship you want to know about. For instance, student retention rates in large urban school districts compared with small rural districts.

If your interest is about relationships between two or more concepts, try using words like relationship, in relation to, or other similar constructions. Here's an example: the frequency of church attendance in relation to socioeconomic status.

Suppose your interest is to see if one thing has an effect on something else. In that case, you can use that word, effect, or other words such as influence, impact, cause, predict, and the like. For example, the influence of tax policy on employment patterns in Midwestern communities.

An outcome is another version of a cause-and-effect relationship, specifically when you are interested in the final condition after some kind of process. For instance, the outcome of a training program. That word is excellent to use for the relationship, as in the outcome of training program A as measured by employee comprehension of corporate policies.

Are you interested in describing a certain experience, such as falling in love or being laid off work or having a baby or starting a new company? Having experiences is a very subjective thing, and the actual experience is a single thing—not one of a few variables. So there is no relationship to specify in such a topic, but the only way to learn about people's experiences is to ask them to describe them. So, words like descriptions of, accounts of, reports of, and the like can be very helpful. For instance, men's descriptions of their spiritual transformations when recovering from alcoholism.

Okay, we've covered the basics of how to craft a well-formed research topic. We've seen the marks of a good topic. They are:

• The key concepts are clearly stated and well-focused so that they can be profitably found in the literature.
• Second, the relationship, if any, between or among them is clearly stated. Even if there is no relationship, what you're really looking for (descriptions? accounts? reports?) can be seen in the wording.
• Third, the people you want to study, your population, is clearly stated and narrowed down to a workable point. You have all these points covered in a single phrase, and if after narrowing it down that phrase is awkward, you will work on crafting it into a more graceful form.

In a minute, you'll get to work crafting your own research topic, but first I want to show you why we emphasize the importance of narrowing and focusing the key concepts, relationships, and populations.

What Do You Do With the Research Topic?

The research topic is step 1 in the sequential process of research design. Once you have your topic in hand, step 2 is to take it to the library and begin searching for existing research and theory on the topic. Here's where your key concepts need to be well-defined and narrowly focused. You will be looking for all the existing research on those key concepts when you start.

At first, you'll investigate each of your key concepts individually, to find out what the existing literature has to say about them in and of themselves. Later, after you have developed a good working knowledge of the background concepts, you'll dig deeper into research linking the key concepts together.

At the third level, you'll follow the "breadcrumbs" all the way back to the earliest studies on your topic so that you will, ultimately, master that literature fully.

So your topic statement is the foundation. It organizes your various literature reviews. Searching on the key concepts (translated into various key words) will help you organize the content of your study.

Searching on the existing methodological literature about the relationship named in your topic will prepare you for your methodological decisions in later steps of research design.

There is an old Chinese proverb found in the I Ching and many other places: “Patience in the beginning brings success.” If you are careful and attentive, and work patiently to write your research topic, then rewrite it, then rewrite it again and again, you will have a solid foundation on which to start building your literature review. The topic is your beginning.

Remain patient and steady, and you will succeed.

Doc. reference: phd_t1_u04s1_mpsuccess.html

Table of Contents

Ai, ethics & human agency, collaboration, information literacy, writing process, preliminary research.

Preliminary Research is

to early invention efforts people engage in to identify topics of interest.

Writers engage in Preliminary Research during the early stages of composing in order to identify the scope of their investigation.

Preliminary Research could involve

• discussions with friends about ideas.
• interviews with experts, bosses, clients, and teachers.
• scanning a wikipedia page or Google search
• skimming over documents to learn about the genres and research methods of particular discourse communities/community of practice.

When engaging in Preliminary Research as opposed to the sort of deep reading practices and critical relationship to evidence recommended by ACRL’s i, researchers are reading superficially.

Good writers are readers. They are collaborators. Creativity is informed by sustained thought on a topic and that thought is enriched by reading and talking about topics with knowledgeable experts.

Preliminary Research is deeply imbricated with Information Literacy , particularly Searching as a Strategic Exploration , Scholarship as a Conversation, and Research as Inquiry

If the aim of a writing project is personal reflection, then diving immediately into Drafting can make sense. Journal writing and autobiography can be a powerful way to sustain reflection and insights and set goals.

That said, if you are writing or talking about something beyond your immediate experience, you are likely to benefit from learning what other writers have thought or said about a topic.

• Deep reading on a topic, as discussed in Scholarship as a Conversation, can empower you to identify the current thinking about a topic.
• Deep reading can help you identify how research and scholarship on that topic have changed over time and who the thought leaders are on a topic.
• Deep reading is crucial to distinguishing fake news from real news, valid reasoning and evidence from propaganda and salesmanship (see Authority is Constructed and Contextual ).

Yet early during Invention, you may benefit broadly rather than deeply. Shallow reading has its place as an Invention strategy. There are advantages to skimming across titles, abstracts, and articles.

The goal of Preliminary Research is not necessarily to become an authority on a specific topic so much as to identify conversation chatter: across disciplines, what are experts talking about? What are the issues facing a knowledge domain (e.g., nuclear energy, global warming, space exploration)? And, ultimately, if given a choice, what interests you the most?

Brevity - Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence - How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Flow - How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity - Inclusive Language

The Elements of Style - The DNA of Powerful Writing

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Welcome to the Research Planning Guide

Step 5: devise a preliminary outline.

• Step 1: Understand the Assignment
• Step 2: Choose your Topic
• Step 3: Gain Working Knowledge
• Step 4: Create the Research Question
• How to Search the Catalog
• Types of Searches
• Articles from our Databases
• Search Terms
• Step 9: Read and Take Notes
• Step 10: Get Organized / Finalize Outline
• Step 11: Write the First Draft
• Step 12: Revise, Rewrite, and Proofread
• Citation Help
• Step 14: Evaluate the Process & Yourself

The preliminary outline can serve as your road map for research.

How do you create a preliminary outline? First, realize that all research papers will start with an introduction and end with a conclusion.  In between, there are usually three to five points that must be covered in order to answer the question sufficiently.

Suppose this is your research question: "Will stronger gun-control legislation protect lives?"  Your preliminary outline might look something like this:

I.     Introduction  

II.    Evidence that gun-control laws protect citizens

III.   Evidence that gun-control laws have no effect on civic safety

IV.   Analysis of effectiveness of current gun-control laws

V.    Conclusion

As you search for books and articles on your topic, you can look for items that will support the various parts of your outline.  You can even organize your research results by grouping items according to their usefulness for supporting the different points in your outline. 

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Module 4: Developing a Research Project

Preliminary research, learning objectives.

Describe strategies for preliminary research on a topic

Use preliminary research to refine and focus a research question

As we have seen, research begins with questions. Thinking about a particular subject, you gather your ideas, experience, and perspective, and formulate questions that can begin to guide your research process.  You’ll probably find, though, that your first questions tend to be too broad and vague to serve as productive research questions. How, then, do we go from our initial expressions of curiosity to a focused and answerable research question?

To get from overview questions to focused research questions, we need to get some more input. This is what we call preliminary research , or the process of finding out what there is to find out. The difference between reading for research and reading for preliminary research is the  way you’ll be reading. When you have a fully developed and focused research question, you’ll be reading strategically and purposefully. You’ll view everything you read in the light of your argument: is this useful for my argument? Does it speak for or against my hypothesis? When you’re doing preliminary research, however, you’re reading with an open and even wandering mind. You’re looking for associations, intuitions, unexpected points of connection.

For preliminary research, websites, general-interest articles, and Wikipedia are acceptable—and often helpful—sources. It’s important, however, to pay attention to the credibility of any online sources before you use them as a jumping-off point for your research. See the section on reliable sources for more details about how to assess the quality of online sources. Meanwhile, you’ll probably want to make sure that there are enough scholarly treatments of your topic to support an academic paper. One of the best ways to find out what experts have written about your subject is to find a source with a works cited list—even a Wikipedia article usually has a list of sources—and look up some of the academic sources.

Example: Preliminary Research

James is interested in economic policy, racial inequality, and food systems. So he’s starting with the initial question “how has government policy reduced or increased racial inequality in food production?” This question is far too broad, so he decides to do some preliminary research to narrow it down. He’s curious whether he can work on very recent government policy, so he goes to Wikipedia and looks up the COVID-19 Stimulus Package passed in 2021. A quick control-f search for “agriculture” finds that the bill included $10.4 billion for agriculture and USDA. Below that, though, a line catches his eye:

“$4 billion (39% of total agricultural expenditures) and $1 billion (9.7% of total agricultural expenditures) goes to debt forgiveness and outreach/support, respectively, for socially disadvantaged farmers. Experts identified the relief bill as the most important legislation for African-American farmers since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, benefiting many who were not fully compensated by the Pigford settlements.” (Wikipedia Authors)

Well, James thinks, that’s interesting! Clicking on the link for “Pigford,” he finds that  Pigford v. Glickman was a class-action lawsuit in 1999 that led to the largest civil rights settlement in history. Now he feels like he’s really onto something. After skimming a few short online articles about  Pigford vs. Glickman , he decides that his research question could be: “How does the framing of support for socially disadvantaged farmers in the Stimulus Package compare to the claims behind the  Pigford vs. Glickman  case?”

Refining and Focusing your Research Question

The goal of preliminary research is to refine and focus your research question. The following strategies can help you do so:

• Skim a variety of sources. Works cited lists can help find scholarly treatments.
• As you read, list subtopics that fall under the heading of your main topic.
• For each subtopic, think of one or more possible research questions.
• For each of your questions, consider what scope of research it would require. Could you answer it in the time and with the resources you have available?
• If the scope of your questions is still too large for your project, repeat the process looking for sub-subtopics.

Remember, finding the right research question or topic is as important as the process of researching and writing your term paper. A strong research question is:

• Interesting : Are you interested in it? Will be of interest to your audience?
• Relevant :  The topic is relevant to the assignment, the context and your current audience. From preliminary research, you can identify enough valid sources to explore the topic.
• Nuanced : Your question should not be answerable with a simple yes or no. Instead, you have to elaborate, expand, and analyze in order to come to a conclusion. In other words, you will have to make an argument. A good question is complex.
• Clear : Your question should be simple and easily stated in clear language.

Maybe you have a topic in mind, but aren’t sure how to form a research question around it. The trick is to think of a question related to your topic, but not answerable with a quick search. Also, try to be specific so that your research question can be fully answered in the final product for your research assignment.

The point here is that you want to use your research to help you refine your research question, just as you use your research question to focus your research. These are not separate processes, so let them operate in a cycle.

Wikipedia contributors. “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.”  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia . Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 1 Oct. 2021.

• ACTIVITY:u00a0Thinking of Questions. Provided by : Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries. Located at : https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/developing-research-question/ . Project : Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Developing a Research Question . Authored by : Laurier Library. Provided by : Laurier Library . Located at : http://%20 . License : All Rights Reserved
• Preliminary Research. Provided by : Lumen Learning . License : CC BY: Attribution

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Generating a research topic sometimes relies on multiple sources of inspiration. Doing all or a combination of the following is likely to help you develop some preliminary ideas:

Think about your interests and strengths

Research can be about you. Ideas for research topics frequently stem from personal experiences or threads that run through a person's professional life. Don't discount your own experiences or flashes of inspiration. Quiet insight often leads to significant breakthroughs.

Ideas are frequently generated from conversations that arise organically through chance and serendipity. It's important to seize opportunities to:

• Talk to colleagues
• Present at conferences
• Review papers
• Sit on panels & advisory councils
• Contact national/international figures in your areas of interest

Look externally

Considering what others want and might pay for may not be the same as generating a radical new idea but it's a good start. You can take an entrepreneurial approach to your research and work with a private company that will supply the imaginative leap and/or read through request for proposals from the federal government to develop a creative spark.

Pick up where others left off

New research can arise from old research. Sometimes saying a study is finished is misleading. Findings published in journal articles aren't always as tidy as presented and this provides an opportunity to generate new ideas based off an existing one. Whenever you read, evaluate, or listen, ask yourself:

• Where did he/she draw the ideas?
• What was accomplished?
• How does it relate to other work?
• What would be a reasonable next step to build upon?
• What ideas could be brought in to expand upon the topic?

The initial idea is sometimes quite far from the final topic. If you remain open and flexible, it will usually be much easier to generate alternative topics.

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Research Question

Ai generator.

A research question serves as the foundation of any academic study, driving the investigation and framing the scope of inquiry. It focuses the research efforts, ensuring that the study addresses pertinent issues systematically. Crafting a strong research question is essential as it directs the methodology, data collection, and analysis, ultimately shaping the study’s conclusions and contributions to the field.

What is a Research Question?

A research question is the central query that guides a study, focusing on a specific problem or issue. It defines the purpose and direction of the research, influencing the methodology and analysis. A well-crafted research question ensures the study remains relevant, systematic, and contributes valuable insights to the field.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions are a crucial part of any research project. They guide the direction and focus of the study. Here are the main types of research questions:

1. Descriptive Research Questions

These questions aim to describe the characteristics or functions of a specific phenomenon or group. They often begin with “what,” “who,” “where,” “when,” or “how.”

• What are the common symptoms of depression in teenagers?

2. Comparative Research Questions

These questions compare two or more groups or variables to identify differences or similarities.

• How do the academic performances of students in private schools compare to those in public schools?

3. Correlational Research Questions

These questions seek to identify the relationships between two or more variables. They often use terms like “relationship,” “association,” or “correlation.”

• Is there a relationship between social media usage and self-esteem among adolescents?

4. Causal Research Questions

These questions aim to determine whether one variable causes or influences another. They are often used in experimental research.

• Does a new teaching method improve student engagement in the classroom?

5. Exploratory Research Questions

These questions are used when the researcher is exploring a new area or seeking to understand a complex phenomenon. They are often open-ended.

• What factors contribute to the success of start-up companies in the tech industry?

6. Predictive Research Questions

These questions aim to predict future occurrences based on current or past data. They often use terms like “predict,” “forecast,” or “expect.”

• Can high school GPA predict college success?

7. Evaluative Research Questions

These questions assess the effectiveness or impact of a program, intervention, or policy .

• How effective is the new community outreach program in reducing homelessness?

8. Ethnographic Research Questions

These questions are used in qualitative research to understand cultural phenomena from the perspective of the participants.

• How do cultural beliefs influence healthcare practices in rural communities?

9. Case Study Research Questions

These questions focus on an in-depth analysis of a specific case, event, or instance.

• What were the critical factors that led to the failure of Company X?

10. Phenomenological Research Questions

These questions explore the lived experiences of individuals to understand a particular phenomenon.

• What is the experience of living with chronic pain?

Research Question Format

A well-formulated research question is essential for guiding your study effectively. Follow this format to ensure clarity and precision:

• Begin with a broad subject area.
• Example: “Education technology”
• Define a specific aspect or variable.
• Example: “Impact of digital tools”
• Decide if you are describing, comparing, or investigating relationships.
• Example: “Effectiveness”
• Identify who or what is being studied.
• Example: “High school students”
• Formulate the complete question.
• Example: “How effective are digital tools in enhancing the learning experience of high school students?”

Sample Format: “How [specific aspect] affects [target population] in [context]?” Example: “How does the use of digital tools affect the academic performance of high school students in urban areas?”

Research Question Examples

Research questions in business.

• “What are the primary factors influencing customer loyalty in the retail industry?”
• “How does employee satisfaction differ between remote work and in-office work environments in tech companies?”
• “What is the relationship between social media marketing and brand awareness among small businesses?”
• “How does implementing a four-day workweek impact productivity in consulting firms?”
• “What are the emerging trends in consumer behavior post-COVID-19 in the e-commerce sector?”
• “Why do some startups succeed in attracting venture capital while others do not?”
• “How effective is corporate social responsibility in enhancing brand reputation for multinational companies?”
• “How do decision-making processes in family-owned businesses differ from those in publicly traded companies?”
• “What strategies do successful entrepreneurs use to scale their businesses in competitive markets?”
• “How does supply chain management affect the operational efficiency of manufacturing firms?”

Research Questions in Education

• “What are the most common challenges faced by first-year teachers in urban schools?”
• “How do student achievement levels differ between traditional classrooms and blended learning environments?”
• “What is the relationship between parental involvement and student academic performance in elementary schools?”
• “How does the implementation of project-based learning affect critical thinking skills in middle school students?”
• “What are the emerging trends in the use of artificial intelligence in education?”
• “Why do some students perform better in standardized tests than others despite similar instructional methods?”
• “How effective is the flipped classroom model in improving student engagement and learning outcomes in high school science classes?”
• “How do teachers’ professional development programs impact teaching practices and student outcomes in rural schools?”
• “What strategies can be employed to reduce the dropout rate among high school students in low-income areas?”
• “How does classroom size affect the quality of teaching and learning in elementary schools?”

Research Questions in Health Care

• “What are the most common barriers to accessing mental health services in rural areas?”
• “How does patient satisfaction differ between telemedicine and in-person consultations in primary care?”
• “What is the relationship between diet and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in adults?”
• “How does regular physical activity influence the recovery rate of patients with cardiovascular diseases?”
• “What are the emerging trends in the use of wearable technology for health monitoring?”
• “Why do some patients adhere to their medication regimen while others do not despite similar health conditions?”
• “How effective are community-based health interventions in reducing obesity rates among children?”
• “How do interdisciplinary team meetings impact patient care in hospitals?”
• “What strategies can be implemented to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings?”
• “How does nurse staffing level affect patient outcomes in intensive care units?”

Research Questions in Computer Science

• “What are the key features of successful machine learning algorithms used in natural language processing?”
• “How does the performance of quantum computing compare to classical computing in solving complex optimization problems?”
• “What is the relationship between software development methodologies and project success rates in large enterprises?”
• “How does the implementation of cybersecurity protocols impact the frequency of data breaches in financial institutions?”
• “What are the emerging trends in blockchain technology applications beyond cryptocurrency?”
• “Why do certain neural network architectures outperform others in image recognition tasks?”
• “How effective are different code review practices in reducing bugs in open-source software projects?”
• “How do agile development practices influence team productivity and product quality in software startups?”
• “What strategies can improve the scalability of distributed systems in cloud computing environments?”
• “How does the choice of programming language affect the performance and maintainability of enterprise-level software applications?”

Research Questions in Psychology

• “What are the most common symptoms of anxiety disorders among adolescents?”
• “How does the level of job satisfaction differ between remote workers and in-office workers?”
• “What is the relationship between social media use and self-esteem in teenagers?”
• “How does cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) affect the severity of depression symptoms in adults?”
• “What are the emerging trends in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?”
• “Why do some individuals develop resilience in the face of adversity while others do not?”
• “How effective are mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress levels among college students?”
• “How does group therapy influence the social skills development of children with autism spectrum disorder?”
• “What strategies can improve the early diagnosis of bipolar disorder in young adults?”
• “How do sleep patterns affect cognitive functioning and academic performance in high school students?”

More Research Question Examples

Research question examples for students.

• “What are the primary study habits of high-achieving college students?”
• “How do academic performances differ between students who participate in extracurricular activities and those who do not?”
• “What is the relationship between time management skills and academic success in high school students?”
• “How does the use of technology in the classroom affect students’ engagement and learning outcomes?”
• “What are the emerging trends in online learning platforms for high school students?”
• “Why do some students excel in standardized tests while others struggle despite similar study efforts?”
• “How effective are peer tutoring programs in improving students’ understanding of complex subjects?”
• “How do different teaching methods impact the learning process of students with learning disabilities?”
• “What strategies can help reduce test anxiety among middle school students?”
• “How does participation in group projects affect the development of collaboration skills in university students?”

Research Question Examples for College Students

• “What are the most common stressors faced by college students during final exams?”
• “How does academic performance differ between students who live on campus and those who commute?”
• “What is the relationship between part-time employment and GPA among college students?”
• “How does participation in study abroad programs impact cultural awareness and academic performance?”
• “What are the emerging trends in college students’ use of social media for academic purposes?”
• “Why do some college students engage in academic dishonesty despite awareness of the consequences?”
• “How effective are university mental health services in addressing students’ mental health issues?”
• “How do different learning styles affect the academic success of college students in online courses?”
• “What strategies can be employed to improve retention rates among first-year college students?”
• “How does participation in extracurricular activities influence leadership skills development in college students?”

Research Question Examples in Statistics

• “What are the most common statistical methods used in medical research?”
• “How does the accuracy of machine learning models compare to traditional statistical methods in predicting housing prices?”
• “What is the relationship between sample size and the power of a statistical test in clinical trials?”
• “How does the use of random sampling affect the validity of survey results in social science research?”
• “What are the emerging trends in the application of Bayesian statistics in data science?”
• “Why do some datasets require transformation before applying linear regression models?”
• “How effective are bootstrapping techniques in estimating the confidence intervals of small sample data?”
• “How do different imputation methods impact the results of analyses with missing data?”
• “What strategies can improve the interpretation of interaction effects in multiple regression analysis?”
• “How does the choice of statistical software affect the efficiency of data analysis in academic research?”

Research Question Examples in Socialogy

• “What are the primary social factors contributing to urban poverty in major cities?”
• “How does the level of social integration differ between immigrants and native-born citizens in urban areas?”
• “What is the relationship between educational attainment and social mobility in different socioeconomic classes?”
• “How does exposure to social media influence political participation among young adults?”
• “What are the emerging trends in family structures and their impact on child development?”
• “Why do certain communities exhibit higher levels of civic engagement than others?”
• “How effective are community policing strategies in reducing crime rates in diverse neighborhoods?”
• “How do socialization processes differ in single-parent households compared to two-parent households?”
• “What strategies can be implemented to reduce racial disparities in higher education enrollment?”
• “How does the implementation of public housing policies affect the quality of life for low-income families?”

Research Question Examples in Biology

• “What are the primary characteristics of the various stages of mitosis in eukaryotic cells?”
• “How do the reproductive strategies of amphibians compare to those of reptiles?”
• “What is the relationship between genetic diversity and the resilience of plant species to climate change?”
• “How does the presence of pollutants in freshwater ecosystems impact the growth and development of aquatic organisms?”
• “What are the emerging trends in the use of CRISPR technology for gene editing in agricultural crops?”
• “Why do certain bacteria develop antibiotic resistance more rapidly than others?”
• “How effective are different conservation strategies in protecting endangered species?”
• “How do various environmental factors influence the process of photosynthesis in marine algae?”
• “What strategies can enhance the effectiveness of reforestation programs in tropical rainforests?”
• “How does the method of seed dispersal affect the spatial distribution and genetic diversity of plant populations?”

Research Question Examples in History

• “What were the key social and economic factors that led to the Industrial Revolution in Britain?”
• “How did the political systems of ancient Athens and ancient Sparta differ in terms of governance and citizen participation?”
• “What is the relationship between the Renaissance and the subsequent scientific revolution in Europe?”
• “How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the onset of World War II?”
• “What are the emerging perspectives on the causes and impacts of the American Civil Rights Movement?”
• “Why did the Roman Empire decline and eventually fall despite its extensive power and reach?”
• “How effective were the New Deal programs in alleviating the effects of the Great Depression in the United States?”
• “How did the processes of colonization and decolonization affect the political landscape of Africa in the 20th century?”
• “What strategies did the suffragette movement use to secure voting rights for women in the early 20th century?”
• “How did the logistics and strategies of the D-Day invasion contribute to the Allied victory in World War II?”

Importance of Research Questions

Research questions are fundamental to the success and integrity of any study. Their importance can be highlighted through several key aspects:

• Research questions provide a clear focus and direction for the study, ensuring that the researcher remains on track.
• Example: “How does online learning impact student engagement in higher education?”
• They establish the boundaries of the research, determining what will be included or excluded.
• Example: “What are the effects of air pollution on respiratory health in urban areas?”
• Research questions dictate the choice of research design, methodology, and data collection techniques.
• Example: “What is the relationship between physical activity and mental health in adolescents?”
• They make the objectives of the research explicit, providing clarity and precision to the study’s goals.
• Example: “Why do some startups succeed in securing venture capital while others fail?”
• Well-crafted research questions emphasize the significance and relevance of the study, justifying its importance.
• Example: “How effective are public health campaigns in increasing vaccination rates among young adults?”
• They enable a systematic approach to inquiry, ensuring that the study is coherent and logically structured.
• Example: “What are the social and economic impacts of remote work on urban communities?”
• Research questions offer a framework for analyzing and interpreting data, guiding the researcher in making sense of the findings.
• Example: “How does social media usage affect self-esteem among teenagers?”
• By addressing specific gaps or exploring new areas, research questions ensure that the study contributes meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge.
• Example: “What are the emerging trends in the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare?”
• Clear and precise research questions increase the credibility and reliability of the research by providing a focused approach.
• Example: “How do educational interventions impact literacy rates in low-income communities?”
• They help in clearly communicating the purpose and findings of the research to others, including stakeholders, peers, and the broader academic community.
• Example: “What strategies are most effective in reducing youth unemployment in developing countries?”

Research Question vs. Hypothesis

Chracteristics of research questions.

Research questions are fundamental to the research process as they guide the direction and focus of a study. Here are the key characteristics of effective research questions:

1. Clear and Specific

• The question should be clearly articulated and specific enough to be understood without ambiguity.
• Example: “What are the effects of social media on teenagers’ mental health?” rather than “How does social media affect people?”

2. Focused and Researchable

• The question should be narrow enough to be answerable through research and data collection.
• Example: “How does participation in extracurricular activities impact academic performance in high school students?” rather than “How do activities affect school performance?”

3. Complex and Analytical

• The question should require more than a simple yes or no answer and should invite analysis and discussion.
• Example: “What factors contribute to the success of renewable energy initiatives in urban areas?” rather than “Is renewable energy successful?”

4. Relevant and Significant

• The question should address an important issue or problem in the field of study and contribute to knowledge or practice.
• Example: “How does climate change affect agricultural productivity in developing countries?” rather than “What is climate change?”

5. Feasible and Practical

• The question should be feasible to answer within the constraints of time, resources, and access to information.
• Example: “What are the challenges faced by remote workers in the tech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic?” rather than “What are the challenges of remote work?”

6. Original and Novel

• The question should offer a new perspective or explore an area that has not been extensively studied.
• Example: “How do virtual reality technologies influence empathy in healthcare training?” rather than “What is virtual reality?”
• The question should be framed in a way that ensures the research can be conducted ethically.
• Example: “What are the impacts of privacy laws on consumer data protection in the digital age?” rather than “How can we collect personal data more effectively?”

8. Open-Ended

• The question should encourage detailed responses and exploration, rather than limiting answers to a simple yes or no.
• Example: “In what ways do cultural differences affect communication styles in multinational companies?” rather than “Do cultural differences affect communication?”

9. Aligned with Research Goals

• The question should align with the overall objectives of the research project or study.
• Example: “How do early childhood education programs influence long-term academic achievement?” if the goal is to understand educational impacts.

10. Based on Prior Research

• The question should build on existing literature and research, identifying gaps or new angles to explore.
• Example: “What strategies have proven effective in reducing urban air pollution in European cities?” after reviewing current studies on air pollution strategies.

Benefits of Research Question

Research questions are fundamental to the research process and offer numerous benefits, which include the following:

1. Guides the Research Process

A well-defined research question provides a clear focus and direction for your study. It helps in determining what data to collect, how to collect it, and how to analyze it.

Benefit: Ensures that the research stays on track and addresses the specific issue at hand.

2. Clarifies the Purpose of the Study

Research questions help to articulate the purpose and objectives of the study. They make it clear what the researcher intends to explore, describe, compare, or test.

Benefit: Helps in communicating the goals and significance of the research to others, including stakeholders and funding bodies.

3. Determines the Research Design

The type of research question informs the research design, including the choice of methodology, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.

Benefit: Ensures that the chosen research design is appropriate for answering the specific research question, enhancing the validity and reliability of the results.

4. Enhances Literature Review

A well-crafted research question provides a framework for conducting a thorough literature review. It helps in identifying relevant studies, theories, and gaps in existing knowledge.

Benefit: Facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the topic and ensures that the research is grounded in existing literature.

5. Focuses Data Collection

Research questions help in identifying the specific data needed to answer them. This focus prevents the collection of unnecessary data and ensures that all collected data is relevant to the study.

Benefit: Increases the efficiency of data collection and analysis, saving time and resources.

6. Improves Data Analysis

Having a clear research question aids in the selection of appropriate data analysis methods. It helps in determining how the data will be analyzed to draw meaningful conclusions.

Benefit: Enhances the accuracy and relevance of the findings, making them more impactful.

7. Facilitates Hypothesis Formation

In quantitative research, research questions often lead to the development of hypotheses that can be tested statistically.

Benefit: Provides a basis for hypothesis testing, which is essential for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

8. Supports Result Interpretation

Research questions provide a lens through which the results of the study can be interpreted. They help in understanding what the findings mean in the context of the research objectives.

Benefit: Ensures that the conclusions drawn from the research are aligned with the original aims and objectives.

9. Enhances Reporting and Presentation

A clear research question makes it easier to organize and present the research findings. It helps in structuring the research report or presentation logically.

Benefit: Improves the clarity and coherence of the research report, making it more accessible and understandable to the audience.

10. Encourages Critical Thinking

Formulating research questions requires critical thinking and a deep understanding of the subject matter. It encourages researchers to think deeply about what they want to investigate and why.

Benefit: Promotes a more thoughtful and analytical approach to research, leading to more robust and meaningful findings.

How to Write a Research Question

Crafting a strong research question is crucial for guiding your study effectively. Follow these steps to write a clear and focused research question:

Identify a Broad Topic:

Start with a general area of interest that you are passionate about or that is relevant to your field. Example: “Climate change”

Conduct Preliminary Research:

Explore existing literature and studies to understand the current state of knowledge and identify gaps. Example: “Impact of climate change on agriculture”

Narrow Down the Topic:

Focus on a specific aspect or issue within the broad topic to make the research question more manageable. Example: “Effect of climate change on crop yields”

Consider the Scope:

Ensure the question is neither too broad nor too narrow. It should be specific enough to be answerable but broad enough to allow for thorough exploration. Example: “How does climate change affect corn crop yields in the Midwest United States?”

Determine the Research Type:

Decide whether your research will be descriptive, comparative, relational, or causal, as this will shape your question. Example: “How does climate change affect corn crop yields in the Midwest United States over the past decade?”

Formulate the Question:

Write a clear, concise question that specifies the variables, population, and context. Example: “What is the impact of increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns on corn crop yields in the Midwest United States from 2010 to 2020?”

Ensure Feasibility:

Make sure the question can be answered within the constraints of your resources, time, and data availability. Example: “How have corn crop yields in the Midwest United States been affected by climate change-related temperature increases and precipitation changes between 2010 and 2020?”

Review and Refine:

Evaluate the question for clarity, focus, and relevance. Revise as necessary to ensure it is well-defined and researchable. Example: “What are the specific impacts of temperature increases and changes in precipitation patterns on corn crop yields in the Midwest United States from 2010 to 2020?”

What is a research question?

A research question is a specific query guiding a study’s focus and objectives, shaping its methodology and analysis.

Why is a research question important?

It provides direction, defines scope, ensures relevance, and guides the methodology of the research.

How do you formulate a research question?

Identify a topic, narrow it down, conduct preliminary research, and ensure it is clear, focused, and researchable.

What makes a good research question?

Clarity, specificity, feasibility, relevance, and the ability to guide the research effectively.

Can a research question change?

Yes, it can evolve based on initial findings, further literature review, and the research process.

What is the difference between a research question and a hypothesis?

A research question guides the study; a hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

How specific should a research question be?

It should be specific enough to provide clear direction but broad enough to allow for comprehensive investigation.

What are examples of good research questions?

Examples include: “How does social media affect academic performance?” and “What are the impacts of climate change on agriculture?”

Can a research question be too broad?

Yes, a too broad question can make the research unfocused and challenging to address comprehensively.

What role does a research question play in literature reviews?

It helps identify relevant studies, guides the search for literature, and frames the review’s focus.

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Systematic reviews & evidence synthesis methods.

• Schedule a Consultation / Meet our Team
• What is Evidence Synthesis?
• Types of Evidence Synthesis
• Evidence Synthesis Across Disciplines
• Finding and Appraising Existing Systematic Reviews
• 0. Preliminary Searching
• 1. Develop a Protocol
• 2. Draft your Research Question
• 3. Select Databases
• 4. Select Grey Literature Sources
• 5. Write a Search Strategy
• 6. Register a Protocol
• 7. Translate Search Strategies
• 8. Citation Management
• 9. Article Screening
• 10. Risk of Bias Assessment
• 11. Data Extraction
• 12. Synthesize, Map, or Describe the Results
• Open Access Evidence Synthesis Resources

Preliminary Searching

Preliminary search of the literature.

Before beginning any evidence synthesis project, you will need to search the literature in your topic area for 2 purposes:

• To determine if there is enough evidence to support an evidence synthesis review on this topic
• To determine if other teams have recently published or are already working on a similar review, in which case you may want to adjust your research question or pursue a different topic

Medicine and health sciences reviews

Search at least  PubMed and Cochrane Library for published studies and systematic reviews, and PROSPERO , and the JBI Systematic Review Register for registered protocols. Note that PROSPERO only accepts protocols for systematic reviews, rapid reviews, and umbrella reviews, so if you plan to do another type of review, search OSF and the JBI EBP Database instead. If you plan to include qualitative evidence or topics related to nursing and allied health, you should also search CINAHL and any relevant subject-specific databases, such as PsycInfo .

Interdisciplinary reviews or outside health sciences

Search one or more subject-specific databases as well as an interdisciplinary database, such as Scopus or Web of Science . Search OSF for projects and protocol registrations. For social sciences topics, review this list of Campbell Collaboration Title Registrations .

For more context, see also Chapter 2 of Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic Reviews: Standards for Initiating a Systematic Review: "Standards for Initiating a Systematic Review."

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• Last Updated: May 29, 2024 8:50 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/evidence-synthesis

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