2012 choosing a research topic
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CHOOSING A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC
Raffles InstitutionYear 1 Research
Education
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OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Topic IdentificationChoosing a Research Topic
(Assignment 1)
MethodologySocial Survey (Assignment 2)
Interview (Assignment 3)
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Report Writing (Assignment 4)
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We Do Research Everyday! E.g. Compare handphone plans
or models Methods used: Ask people for their opinions
(survey) Read user reviews or search the
internet (read up different sources)
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SIX ELEMENTS OF A GOOD TOPIC
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD TOPIC
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS MISSING?
#1 INTEREST Lose interest, no motivation to work on the project
#2 FOCUSED The project is too broad and ends up being superficial
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SIX ELEMENTS OF A GOOD TOPIC
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD TOPIC
IF MISSING?
#3 SIGNIFICANT Project will not be as interesting and outstanding compared to others
#4 REASONABLE SCOPE
Project run the risk of not being completed on time or impossible to implement
#5 LITERATURE IS AVAILABLE
Project may lack evidence to substantiate claims
HOW DOES A SCIENTIST WIN A NOBEL PRIZE?
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Copyright (c) 2010 J&C Research Consultants Pte. Ltd.7
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Copyright (c) 2010 J&C Research Consultants Pte. Ltd.8
…Professor Brenner shared the importance of choosing a good research topic…
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Which research topic do you think would be more significant and interesting?
A. The role of genes in controlling programmed cell death (apoptosis)
B. The discovery of genes that control apoptosis – a potential cure for cancer?
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#1 INTEREST IN THE TOPIC
CHOOSING A GENERAL TOPIC THAT MEETS THE TASK REQUIREMENTS
Choose a general topic that you have a genuine interest.
Your curiosity is your greatest intrinsic motivation to embark on the project work task and complete it well.
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#1 INTEREST IN THE TOPIC WHERE TO FIND IDEAS FOR AN
INTERESTING TOPIC? Newspapers: Articles Magazines Internet Radio / Television Programmes /
Movies Personal Interests / Passion Common Beliefs or Practices
(observation) Everyday Life: e.g. Facebook usage
and its effect on sleep
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Copyright (c) 2010 J&C Research Consultants Pte. Ltd.12
#2 FOCUS THE TOPIC
DEFINING A GENERAL TOPIC TO BECOME CLEAR AND FOCUSED
Ask who, what, when, where, why and how about the topic to arrive at some sub-topics.
From a sub-topic, focus it further to form a specific question for your project work.
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPICExample General Topic Social Networking – A Boon or Bane?
Sub-topics: Refer to concept map Facebook_Misuse.docExample:Facebook Addiction
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPIC
Focusing the sub-topic further:
1. Who are addicted to Facebook? 2. Why are they addicted? 3. What are the effects of their addiction? 4. Where and when do they use Facebook? 5. How can they overcome their addiction?
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPIC
Specific scope from sub-topic: How Facebook usage affects the
academic performance of RI students
Can Facebook usage affect marriages?
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPICExample General Topic Understanding the needs of the elderly in
Singapore
Sub-topics: Come up with your own concept map of the
needs of the elderly and the issues related to each one of them
Example of a sub-topic:Promoting active lifestyles among the
elderly in Singapore
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPIC
Focusing the sub-topic further:
1. Who are the people who can help promote acive lifestyles of senior citizens?
2. Why is promoting active lifestyles important for the elderly?
3. What are the types of activities suitable for the elderly to keep them physically and mentally engaged?
4. Where and when can such activities take place?
5. How can the elderly be encouraged to keep active?
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#2 FOCUS THE TOPIC
WHY IS A FOCUSED TOPIC IMPORTANT?
It helps you to be clear about exactly what your project work seeks to investigate
It guides you whenever you are confused or lost.
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?Why are these topics considered poor?
1.Do certain types of food increase the risk of cancer in people?
2.The dangers of illegal downloading3.Psoriasis : How does it affect local
patients physically and mentally? 4. What types of books do Singapore
youths borrow from libraries?
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Examples
Critique of past year students’ research topics
2011 Critique of past year students' research topics.doc
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#3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOPIC
When you choose a certain topic for project work, you need to give a reason for your choice.
A good reason is one that can explain the significance of the chosen topic.
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#3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOPIC
HOW TO BRING OUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A TOPIC?
1. Set your project work in an important context. E.g. Curbing Facebook addiction versus Curbing Facebook addiction among Year 1 RI students
2. Show how your project work adds value to what others already know.3. Clarify how your project work addresses
certain knowledge gaps Eg. People generally know the harmful effects
of Facebook usage but they may not be clear about the reasons why the addiction occurs in the first place.
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#3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOPIC
HOW TO BRING OUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A TOPIC? (cont’)
4. Explain the implications of your project work for society, community, and/or certain groups of people Eg Through reading your research project, parents and teachers may have a better understanding of why teenagers spend a lot of their time on Facebook and how parents and teachers can help them to curb their addiction
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To Do
Look at the different sub-topics you have generated, consider the significance of each sub-topic
Think which is a more important question to examine through your research project
HOW TO MAKE SURE MY PROJECT IS DOABLE?
Ensure my topic has a reasonable scope
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#4 TOPIC HAS A REASONABLE SCOPE
When considering the scope of the topic, you have to consider its:
Feasibility, i.e. does your topic lend itself well to conducting a survey of at least 20 people, or conducting an interview? If your project involves proposing some solutions to a problem, are your solutions cost efficient and easy to implement?
Manageability, i.e. does the group have enough time and resources to undertake this project work?
Accessibility, i.e. does the group have access to relevant literature and data?
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#4 TOPIC HAS A REASONABLE SCOPE
ORDER OF CONSIDERATION 1. Feasibility2. Accessibility3. Manageability
If a topic is not feasible or the information or data is not accessible, do not choose it unless you are able to overcome these difficulties.
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To Do
Consider the feasibility, manageability, accessibility of your subtopics
Decide on the one that is most significant and feasible, manageable and accessible
HOW TO ENSURE I WILL BE ABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE ALL MY
IDEAS
Check that sources are available before my group
decides on this topic
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#5 AVAILABLE LITERATURE ON THE TOPIC
What is literature? Sources from Social Studies E.g. newspapers, magazines,
scholarly journals and articles, books, information from credible websites
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SUMMARY
A good research topic is one which: You are interested Meets the task requirements Is focused Is significant, i.e. good reason to
examine the topic Is feasible, information is
accessible and the project is manageable
Has available literature on the topic
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Assignment 1 Preliminary Ideas
(PI)COMPONENTS OF A PI ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PI
Choice of topic Interest in the topic
Meets the task requirements.
Focus the topic Reasons for the choice of topic Reason brings out the
significance of the topic
Assessment of the Feasibility, Manageability and Accessibility of the required information
Topic is feasible, information is accessible and the project manageable.
There is available literature on the topic.
Source: Project Works Vol. 1, pg 55