HOW TO DEVELOPA

RESEARCH TOPIC ?
 Introduction

In the following slides, we will guide you the

steps and strategies to:
 develop a research theme
 develop a research topic
What is meant by
“Research”?

Is it what you think about “research”??

 What is meant by “Research”?

research = “a close and careful study”

to explore the answers for a question, that the
answers are not immediately available
not to answer a closed question; meanwhile, to
answer from different resources and viewpoints
to do a research is to expand the knowledge
base of a certain subject, and even to explore
new knowledge, so as to benefit the society
 Steps of developing a research
topic

• Formulate a research theme

1

• Formulate a specific research topic

2

• Narrow down / Expand your

3 research topic (if necessary)
 Strategies on formulating a
research theme

You need to consider the followings when you

are developing a research theme:
to choose a theme that is relevant to your
work
to think of themes and topics that you feel
interested in. As you will work on the same topic
through-out the coming months
 to think of argumentative topics
 Helping hands in formulating
a research theme

Ifyou are not sure of your research theme,

you can:
discuss with your colleagues
discuss with your peers to get more inspirations
Examples of a research
theme
Teaching and Learning
Child protection
Human Resource and Development
Governance
Gender and development
DRRM
Inclusive Education
CHOOSING A GOOD
RESEARCH TOPIC
 OVERVIEW OF THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
Topic Identification
Choosing a Research Topic
(Assignment 1)

Methodology
Social Survey (Assignment 2)
Interview (Assignment 3)

Data Analysis &

Interpretation

Report Writing
(Assignment 4)
2
 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)

3
 SIX ELEMENTS OF
A GOOD TOPIC
ELEMENTS OF A WHAT HAPPENS IF
GOOD TOPIC 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

4
 SIX ELEMENTS OF
A GOOD TOPIC
ELEMENTS OF A IF MISSING?
GOOD TOPIC
#3 SIGNIFICANT Project will not be as
interesting and
outstanding compared to
others
#4 REASONABLE  Project run the risk of not

SCOPE being completed on time

or impossible to implement

#5 LITERATURE IS Projectmay lack

AVAILABLE evidence to substantiate
claims

5
 Strategies of developing a
research topic
• NOT to think of a "closed" question, which means not much
elaboration and explanation can be made
• Try to use the “5W” method to brainstorm about the
topic: Why? What? When? How? Which?
•
 Note-taking in developing a
research topic
 You should take notes when you read on :
some interesting viewpoints that are
related to your research topic
new developments and new trends of the
topic
keywords and subject headings that
you found remarkable for your
further research
some quotations that are catchy or
memorable
Thank you!