Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper can often seem like a daunting task, yet it is nonetheless a frequently assigned to students. Most courses will assign at least one research paper for students to complete throughout the course of the semester. Effective research papers require significant time commitment and effort by the student, and consequently, you should be prepared to invest in both of these equally. However, you also shouldn’t let the assignment unduly stress you out and prevent you from succeeding in your academic career. To approach the paper with a minimum of anxiety, you should pick a topic that you feel comfortable writing about, and one that you are confident that you can grasp the relevant scholarship on. While occasionally some instructors will assign a research topic to students, often you will be asked to come up with one on your own. All of the research you will undertake must relate directly to your chosen topic. Please read on to find a list of topics that are interesting and engaging for both the writer and the reader.

How Should You Choose an Optimal Research Paper Topic?

A good essay topics about research should be interesting and should incorporate a fresh idea or position – try to avoid cliche topics which will likely bore your reader. If your reader’s curiosity is peaked by your topic, he or she is much more likely to invest the time to read, rather than just skim it. Below are some pointers to keep in mind when you are deciding on your topic:

Your area of interest

This may seem a redundant piece of advice, but it cannot be stressed enough that if you are not interested in the topic, your work will reflect this in a negative way, as will, in turn, your grade. Moreover, it is simply just easier to research and write on a topic that you care about – if you are motivated by your research question, you will find doing the work to substantiate it much less burdensome. In the process of research you will even likely discover new information about it which will excite you. Think of it this way: if you like a particular tv show, you rarely stop talking about it – this same phenomenon applies to research writing.

The topic should be focused and clear

When you select a research topic, make sure it is one that you understand and have a firm grasp on. The more knowledge you have of the subject, the more likely you will be able to write a successful research paper. If there are aspects of it that are unclear to you, it might be best to forego it and opt for another paper topic. You need to demonstrate to your reader that you have mastery of the subject matter, and are not drifting aimlessly through the material.

Be concise and specific

A research paper is very different from a descriptive essay. It requires you to maintain a clear focus, and address your main points with supporting evidence. Tangents and overly descriptive details do not belong in a research paper, so please try to avoid them.

Be original

This may seem like an impossible feat if you are dealing with the well-worn subject matter, particularly in a discipline such as history where your topic may well have occurred hundreds of years ago. However, an innovative approach to the subject can make all the difference, particularly if in the course of your research you discover little-known facts about the subject that you can use as your primary focus. Alternatively, even approaching the topic from a new angle that has not been previously done will help to engage your reader and make it a memorable work.
Below are a list of potential research paper topics, organized by subject.