Formulating and clarifying the research topic

Introduction

Every good research project has a well-defined topic. Formulating and clarifying
the research topic is the starting point of your research project. In the initial stages
of the formulating and clarifying process you will be generating and refining
research ideas. Selecting and developing a topic is an ongoing process by which
you define and refine your ideas. Before you begin the research process, be sure
that you understand the assignment, the purpose, and the requirements.

Research Topic

Finding a topic is, however, essentially about formulating a set of questions or

hypotheses that require research of some kind in order that answers can be
provided or statements put to the test. The range and types of question that can be
asked and the kinds of hypotheses which can be stated mean that there are an
infinite number of topics. Added to this is the point that not all research topics
require the collection of primary data. Some can be based on the existing literature
and in such cases the literature becomes the data. What counts as data or
evidence also varies, but is often closely related to the way the topic has been
formulated and the preferences made for how it is to be researched. The common
denominator for all research topics is that they are puzzles in need of investigation.

Developing a research topic

Every good research project has a well-defined topic. Selecting and developing a
topic is an ongoing process by which you define and refine your ideas. You can
then focus your research strategies to find relevant and appropriate information.
Before you begin the research process, be sure that you understand the
assignment, the purpose, and the requirements. Plan for sufficient research,
thinking, and writing time for the project.

Select a topic
 ▪ Start with an idea in which you are interested. What do you want to know
about?

▪ Do some background reading in a general or specialized encyclopedia, or

other reference to gain a better understanding of your topic. This will provide
you with an overview and the history of the topic, identify subtopics and
related topics, discuss important people and specialized vocabulary in the
field, and basic statistics. Browse journals and newspapers for ideas.

▪ Do some preliminary research to see what is available

Generating and refining research ideas

▪ Examining own strengths and interests

▪ It is important that you choose a topic in which you are likely to do well and,
if possible, already have some academic knowledge.

▪ If you plan to work in financial management, it would be sensible to choose

a research project in the financial management field.

▪ Looking at past projects is a useful way of generating research ideas.

▪ A common way of doing so is to scan a list of past project titles for anything
that captures your imagination.

▪ You can think of new ideas in the same general area that will enable you to
provide fresh insights.

▪ Scanning actual research projects may also produce research ideas.

Narrow your topic

▪ Choose a specific aspect of the subject

▪ Consider view point(s)

▪ Focus on a time period, geographic location, culture, individual or groups

Make it a question or a thesis statement

 ▪ Restate your topic in question form as a focused research question

▪ Search to find the answer(s) to the question or the solution(s) to the problem

▪ The research question or thesis statement provides the focus for your
research.

Consider main concepts

▪ State main ideas, concepts, theories

▪ List key terms, phrases or vocabulary

▪ What are the issues?

▪ Use the queries: who? what? why? where? when? how?

Analyze your topic

what kind of information do you need?

▪ Scholarly

▪ Primary or secondary sources

▪ books, articles, Internet, interview

▪ Visual sources

▪ Subject or discipline specific view point, related or multi perspectiv

Select appropriate tools

▪ Library catalog

▪ Databases and indexes: subject specific, interdisciplinary

▪ Other: personal interviews, etc.

▪ Inter-library loan service (ILL)

First findings and evaluation

Test your topic ideas with the resources that are available to you.

▪ Are you finding relevant information?

▪ Are you finding appropriate information?

▪ Mega hits - too much information? too little? no hits?

▪ Is your topic too broad or too narrow?

You may need to narrow or broaden, generate other search terms, or rethink your topic.

Evaluate your information and resources

▪ Is it authoritative?

▪ Is it accurate?

▪ Is it current?

Formulate your own ideas and opinions

Think critically and creatively about your information and ideas. Draw conclusions and
make connections based on your research.
Synthesize the information

Look at general, specialized, and related information, the history, and discipline specific
and multi perspectives. Create your own ideas and opinions. Think about how your
ideas fit into the bigger picture. Make it informative and interesting reading.

Attributes of a good research topic

▪ Need to check the assessment criteria for your project and ensure that your
choice of topic will enable you to meet these criteria.

▪ Your research topic must be something you are capable of undertaking and one
that excites your imagination.

▪ Your ability to find the financial and time resources to undertake research on the
topic will also affect your capability.

▪ Capability also means you must be reasonably certain of gaining access to any
data you might need to collect.

▪ For most topic it is important that the issues within the research are capable of
being linked to the theory.

▪ If you have already been given a research idea you will need to ensure that your
questions and objectives relate clearly to the idea.

▪ And it is important to consider your career goals.

Examples of Research Topics in Journalism and Media

1. The impact of social media on news consumption and trust in journalism.

2. Investigating the role of media ownership in shaping news content and bias.

3. Exploring the effects of political polarization on the public's perception of

journalism and the media.
 4. Examining the representation of race and gender in news coverage.

5. Investigating the impact of news framing on public opinion and political behavior.

6. Analyzing the ethical considerations of reporting on sensitive or controversial

topics.

7. Investigating the role of news media in shaping public policy and political
discourse.

8. Exploring the role of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and

promoting transparency.

9. Examining the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and

blockchain, on the future of journalism and media.

10. Investigating the challenges facing local journalism in an increasingly digital and
globalized media landscape.

These research topics represent some of the many important issues facing journalism
and media today. By investigating these topics, researchers can gain a better
understanding of the role of journalism and media in society, the challenges and
opportunities facing the industry, and the ways in which media can be used to promote
informed and engaged citizenship.

Examples of research topics in Human resources management

1. Investigating the role of HR in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

2. Examining the impact of performance management on employee motivation and

job satisfaction.

3. Analyzing the effectiveness of employee training and development programs in

improving organizational performance.

4. Investigating the factors that contribute to employee turnover and strategies to

reduce turnover rates.
 5. Exploring the relationship between employee engagement and organizational
performance.

6. Examining the impact of compensation and benefits on employee motivation and

retention.

7. Investigating the effectiveness of different recruitment and selection strategies in

attracting and retaining top talent.

8. Analyzing the impact of workplace culture and climate on employee job

satisfaction and performance.

9. Exploring the role of HR in promoting work-life balance and employee well-being.

10. Investigating the impact of technology on HR practices and the future of HR

management.

These research topics represent some of the many important issues facing HR
managers today. By investigating these topics, researchers can gain a better
understanding of the factors that contribute to employee satisfaction, motivation, and
retention, and identify effective strategies for promoting organizational performance and
success.

Examples of research topics in Accounting and Finance

1. Investigating the impact of corporate governance on financial reporting quality.

2. Examining the effectiveness of financial statement analysis in predicting

corporate bankruptcies.

3. Analyzing the relationship between firm performance and dividend policy.

4. Investigating the determinants of capital structure and their impact on firm value.

5. Exploring the role of accounting information in financial decision-making.

6. Examining the impact of financial regulation on financial reporting quality and

transparency.
 7. Investigating the effectiveness of risk management practices in financial
institutions.

8. Analyzing the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on multinational

corporations.

9. Exploring the role of financial markets in promoting economic growth and

development.

10. Investigating the impact of tax policy on corporate behavior and financial
performance.

These research topics represent some of the many important issues facing accounting
and finance professionals today. By investigating these topics, researchers can gain a
better understanding of the factors that impact financial reporting, investment decisions,
and corporate behavior, and identify effective strategies for promoting financial stability
and economic growth.

Examples of research topics in Information and technology

1. Examining the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on business

processes and decision-making.

2. Investigating the role of blockchain technology in promoting secure and

transparent transactions.

3. Analyzing the impact of social media on customer behavior and engagement.

4. Exploring the use of big data analytics in business intelligence and decision-
making.

5. Investigating the challenges and opportunities of cybersecurity in the digital age.

 6. Examining the impact of cloud computing on business operations and IT
infrastructure.

7. Investigating the effectiveness of agile software development methodologies.

8. Analyzing the impact of mobile technology on work-life balance and productivity.

9. Exploring the role of virtual and augmented reality in enhancing customer

experience.

10. Investigating the impact of digital transformation on organizational culture and

change management.

These research topics represent some of the many important issues facing the
information and technology field today. By investigating these topics, researchers can
gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and challenges of emerging
technologies, and identify effective strategies for promoting innovation, efficiency, and
competitiveness in organizations.