How to Choose a Research Topic

You must give some though to choosing the research area and topic. Usually it is recommended that you choose a topic area that relates to your subject area. Here’s how to choose a Research Topic for your research work.

Steps to Choose a Research Topic

In order to come up with a research topic, you must generate ideas that will help you select a suitable topic.

Once you identify the research topic, you must check for its appropriateness and feasibility.

Then you must turn your ideas into clear research questions and objectives, and write your research proposal.

Coming up with an idea for your research project

So how to come up with the idea for a research project?

Practical Problems

Probably one of the most common sources of research ideas is the experience of practical problems in the field.

Literature in your specific field

Another source for research ideas is the literature in your specific field. Certainly, many researchers get ideas for research by reading the literature and thinking of ways to extend or refine previous research.

Requests For Proposals (RFPs)

Another type of literature that acts as a source of good research ideas is the RFPs that are published by government agencies and some companies. These RFPs describe some problem that the agency would like researchers to address — they are virtually handing the researcher an idea!

Typically, the RFP describes the problem that needs addressing, the contexts in which it operates, the approach they would like you to take to investigate to address the problem, and the amount they would be willing to pay for such research.

More Methods

Many researchers simply think up their research topic on their own, the ideas that come up are influenced by their background, culture, education and experiences.

In general, for generating research ideas, you can use techniques such as Rational thinking, Creative thinking, Searching the literature, Scanning the media, Brainstorming, Relevance Trees, Exploring past projects, Discussion.

You can further refine your research ideas using the Delphi Technique, conducting a preliminary study, continually testing out your ideas, and Integrating ideas.

Feasibility of the Research Study

Once you have thought of the research question or the idea for research study, you must think about its scope as well as feasibility.

There are several major considerations that come into play.

Many of these involve making tradeoffs between rigor and practicality.

You may have to control the implementation of your program more carefully than you otherwise might, or you may have to ask program participants lots of questions that you usually wouldn’t if you weren’t doing research.

If you had unlimited resources and unbridled control over the circumstances, you would always be able to do the best quality research. But those ideal circumstances seldom exist, and researchers are almost always forced to look for the best tradeoffs they can find in order to get the rigor they desire.

Here are some practical considerations that almost always need to be considered when deciding on the feasibility of a research project.

• You have to think about how long the research will take to accomplish.
• You have to question whether there are important ethical constraints that need consideration.
• Can you achieve the needed cooperation to take the project to its successful conclusion?
• How significant are the costs of conducting the research. Failure to consider any of these factors can mean disaster later.

Attributes of a Good Research Topic

Capability: is it feasible?

Are you fascinated by the topic? Do you have the necessary research skills? Can you complete the project in the time available? Will the research still be current when you finish? Do you have sufficient financial and other resources? Will you be able to gain access to data?

Appropriateness: is it worthwhile doing it?

Does the topic contain issues with clear links to theory? Are the research questions and objectives clearly stated? Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into the topic? Are the findings likely to be symmetrical? Does the research topic match your career goals?

Research Question or Research Hypotheses

Once you have selected a suitable research topic, you need to then decide whether you want to use a research question or a hypothesis.

Related: Learn about the research process.

Sample Research Topics for Business Management Research

An analytical study of consumer’s perception regarding food app

A comparative study of consumers towards traditional v/s organic skin care products

A Comparative study of Employee Satisfaction Level in Pharmaceutical in Industry

A study of consumer’s attitude towards sustainability and its impact on fashion products

The motivational impact of wearable health technology on consumers’ usage

Examining the impact of changing Socio-cultural environment on Customer attitude towards Jewelry

A comparative study of social media marketing on consumer buying behaviour in Tier 1 and Tier 2 Cities

An Analytical Study of non- Conventional HR Practices for employee engagement

Assessing tourist’s perception and expectations of service quality in India’s Hotel Industry.

A study of the Impact of Electronic Word of Mouth ( EWOM) on Consumers’ purchase intentions.

A Study of Consumer attitude and purchase behaviour towards Pet Products & Services.