This document discusses how to choose a good research topic or problem. It explains that a research topic should introduce the importance of the topic and reflect hard work. Good research topics are clearly stated, can be completed on time and with available resources, and generate additional research questions. A topic should not be too broad or narrow. Examples of bad topics include those that are too local, recent, or can be easily answered with brief research. The document provides examples of good and bad research questions and lists common environmental science topics.

1. “HOW TO CHOOSE OUR
RESEARCH TOPIC/ PROBLEM”

2. Team Members
Sheikh Maryam SS15-10
Sumar Farooq SS15-09
Ammara Khalid SSS15-14
Under the supervision of:
Sir Amer Masood Chisti

3. Why we intended to choose this topic:
The selection of a research topic is of crucial importance because it
introduces the reader about the importance of the topic being studied. It
also reflects all of someone’s hard work and successful research. In this
presentation we will try to explain what a good research topic would be
and how can we overcome all of the difficulties for approaching the
destiny of good research topic.

4. What is Research Problem:
A statement about:
• an area of concern,
• a condition to be improved,
• a difficulty to be eliminated,
• or a troubling question
• exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice
• points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation.

5. General conceptualizations of a research
problem:
• Difference Research Problem:
Relates to a problem statement when the researcher
compares or contrasts two or more phenomena.
• Descriptive Research Problem:
Typically asks the question, "what is...?" with the
underlying purpose to describe a situation, state, or existence of a specific
phenomenon.

6. • Relational Research Problem:
Suggests a relationship of some sort between two or more
variables to be investigated. The underlying purpose is to investigate
qualities/characteristics that are connected in some way.

7. The W family Questions:
• Why?
• Who?
• What ?
• Where?
• When?
Examples of W family questions W family questions are inter related to each
other

8. Points consider in developing the research
topic:
• Can it be enthusiastically pursued?
• Can interest be sustained by it?
• Is the problem solvable?
• Is it worth doing?
• Will it lead to other research problems?
• Is it manageable in size?
• Will you become, competent to solve it?
• By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent skills in your
discipline?

9. Attributes of good research topic:
• The problem can be stated clearly and concisely
• It should be the one that can be carried out within the prescribed time
frame and budget.
• It should meet the practical considerations.
• It should be the one that has sufficient data.
• It has basis in research literature.
• It generates a number of more specific research questions.

10. A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad
or narrow. Some common ways to limit a topic are:
• By geographical area
Example: What environmental issues are most important in the
Southwestern United States
• By culture
Example: How does the environment fit into the Navajo world view?
• By time frame:
Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the
last 10 years?

11. • By discipline
Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices
today?
• By population group
Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?

12. Good Research topics are:
• Answerable
• Narrow enough to cover prescribed time frame and pages.
• Broad enough that you can actually found some valuable information.

13. Bad research topics are:
• Locally confined.
• Recent.
• Trivia Questions.
• Quick answer by Yes/No or spend just few minutes on Google.

14. Let’s take a look at following examples!

15. Are these good research questions?
1. Where did the Civil War start?
Ans= No
Reason: Because, it can be answer with a quick Google search. It doesn’t lead
to other corresponding research problems.
2. Who had the best looking uniforms in Civil War?
Ans= No
Reason: It is not a matter of opinion. If I like the color blue then there is no
evidence that can convince me that grey is more attractive.

16. 3. How can the environment contribute to the culture, politics
and society of the Western states during 2018?
Ans= No
Reason: The topic is too recent. It cannot be able to provide any information
about this topic.

17.  Acid rain
 Alternative
fuel/hybrid
vehicles
 Conservation
 Deforestation
 Energy
 Global warming
 Greenhouse
effect
 Landfills
 Nuclear energy
 Pesticides
 Pollution
 Radioactive waste disposal
 Recycling
 Smog
 Soil pollution
 Ozone development
Research Topics for Environmental Sciences
 Marine pollution

20. Thank you!!

21. Any Questions???

22. • https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
• https://www.umflint.edu/library/how-select-research-topic
• https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/tips-tools-advice/choose-
right-research-topic-5-easy-steps/
• https://libguides.mit.edu/select-topic
• https://www.slideshare.net/priyadharshini80/research-problem-38316461
• http://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/3-important-things-consider-selecting-
research-topic-guest-blogger-blair-harrington/
• https://www.editage.com/insights/5-simple-steps-to-write-a-good-research-
paper-title
• https://www.slideshare.net/walshandj/choosing-a-research-topic
• https://library.gannon.edu/researchprocess
References