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Developing Your Research Question or Topic

This guide provides students with a systematic 7-step process for developing strong research topics, moving from broad interests to focused, answerable questions. It emphasizes topic development as the foundation for successful research

To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem. - Carl Jung

Choosing a research topic or question can be challenging, even for students who have done research before. This guide provides a systematic approach to help you move from broad interests to focused, researchable questions that will set you up for success.

A good research question is the foundation of your entire project. Everything else—your literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusions—depends on this choice. A well-chosen question will guide you through your research with clarity, while a poorly defined one will leave you struggling to find direction.

This guide walks you through seven essential steps to develop a strong research question. You'll learn what makes a topic researchable, how to identify knowledge gaps, and how to ensure your project is both interesting and achievable.

Why Is This Important?

Spending time on topic development isn't just busy work—it's what separates successful research from frustrating research. Here's what a well-developed topic provides:

  • Clear Direction: Your topic acts as a filter, helping you decide what information is relevant and what isn't. This keeps you focused instead of getting lost in endless information.
  • Sustained Interest: Research involves challenges and setbacks. When you're genuinely interested in your topic, these obstacles become problems to solve rather than reasons to give up.
  • Manageable Scope: A good topic ensures your project fits within your timeframe and available resources. You'll avoid topics that are too broad to handle or too narrow to be meaningful.
  • Valuable Contribution: Your research should add something new to your field—whether it's filling a knowledge gap, offering a fresh perspective, or solving a practical problem.
  • Skill Development: The question development process builds critical thinking, problem identification, and question formulation skills you'll use throughout your academic and professional career.