2012 choosing a research topic

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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…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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#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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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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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