Start with a problem, not a fashionable title
A strong topic is not simply a popular keyword. It is a manageable problem that can be examined with accessible evidence, a clear population or context, and an appropriate method. Begin by writing three areas you genuinely care about, then identify a concrete phenomenon, decision, or gap within each one.
Test the idea against five questions
| Criterion | Diagnostic question |
|---|---|
| Clarity | Could another reader understand the focus without a verbal explanation? |
| Feasibility | Can you access the data, participants, or literature within your timeline? |
| Scope | Is the population, setting, and period narrow enough to study well? |
| Value | Will the result add understanding, comparison, or a useful decision? |
| Ethics | Can the study protect participants and handle data responsibly? |
Turn the interest into a researchable question
Replace “artificial intelligence in education” with a question that names the group, setting, and object of inquiry: “How do final-year students evaluate the usefulness of AI tools for organizing references in graduation projects?” The second version can guide a literature review and an instrument; the first is only a field.
Use a short literature scan as a filter
Record what each relevant source studied, how it collected evidence, what it found, and what it left unresolved. A literature review is not a list of quotations. It is a map of claims and methods that helps you avoid accidental duplication and make a credible contribution.
Write a one-page concept note
Include the working title, problem, main question, three subquestions, likely evidence, and limitations. Share it with your supervisor before investing in a full proposal. A concise concept note often reveals an unclear population or an unanswerable question faster than a long introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Should a research topic be broad to provide more sources?
Usually not. A broad topic creates too many possible methods and weakens the argument. Narrow the topic by population, setting, period, and question.
Can a topic change after the literature review?
Yes. Document why the scope changed and agree the revised direction with your supervisor before collecting data.
References
- Association of American Public Opinion Research — Best Practices for Survey Research
- Boynton & Greenhalgh — Selecting, designing, and developing your questionnaire
- Rutgers — Developing Effective Questionnaires
- TEQSA — Academic and research integrity
- European Commission — Responsible use of generative AI in research