The NICC Libraries have online resources to help you choose and explore topics. Continue to work through the navigation buttons on the left.
When choosing a research topic, you can consider things like:
- Flexibility: Be prepared to change your topic as your research develops.
- Interest: Pick a topic that you are passionate about and find interesting.
- Assignment requirements: Make sure your topic fits the assignment description, including any requirements for the length of the paper or types of sources to use.
- Availability of information: Consider whether there is enough information available on your topic, and if it's too broad or too narrow.
- Ethical compliance: Evaluate potential ethical issues, especially if your research involves human subjects, sensitive data, or the environment.
- Originality: Try to come up with an original topic that hasn't already been addressed by another researcher.
Here are some other tips for choosing a research topic:
- Brainstorm ideas by looking at what you've read in class, talking to your instructor or friends, or paying attention to current events.
- Combine two or three of your interests to create a unique topic.
- Use the Who, What, Where, When, or Why strategy to think about different aspects of your topic.
- Use a library catalog or database to search for keywords related to your topic.
- If you're using AI tools to generate research ideas, make sure to do some preliminary research to verify the ideas are valid.
- Choosing a Research Topic | Grinnell College AI Overview -- https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+chose+a+research+topic&rlz=1C1GCFX_en&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgAEEUYOxjCAzIJCAAQRRg7GMIDMgkIARBFGDsYwgMyCQgCEEUYOxjCAzIJCAMQRRg7GMIDMgkIBBBFGDsYwgMyCQgFEEUYOxjCAzIJCAYQRRg7GMIDMgkIBxBFGDsYwgPSAQkxNTAyajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8Grinnell College -- Generative AI is experimental. Sep 6, 2024 — Developing & Selecting your Research Question or Thesis *
