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113 Great Research Paper Topics

Posted by Christine Sarikas


| Jan 25, 2020 12:00:00 PM
GENERAL EDUCATION

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One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic
to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled
a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten
categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for
29
you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a
good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great
paper.
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What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

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Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you
choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important
factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more
motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire
subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or
other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it
your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so
excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't
enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized
topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at
the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough
information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is
incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and
make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

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#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any
requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If
300 you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the

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impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some
sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your
teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to
choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the
US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic
approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

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Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've
organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research
paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the
Northern Renaissance.
Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video
games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern
American music?
How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

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Current Events

What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?


How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and
North Korea.
What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of
unemployment?
What have been the impacts of states which have increased their
minimum wage?
How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other
countries?
How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few
years/decades?
How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view
about racism in the US?
What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which
tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain).
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Education

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Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their


careers?
Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized
tests?
Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared
to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized
tests than students in public schools?
Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their
studies?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method?
Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
How does the US education system compare to education systems in
other countries?
What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students'
health?
Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who
attended traditional schools?
Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
Should graduate students be able to form unions?

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Ethics

What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?


How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?

Government

Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at


preventing future crimes?
Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are
similar and different from one another.
Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and
negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
Should governments be able to censor certain information on the
internet?

Health

Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen


pregnancy?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and
maintaining weight loss?
How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
What are the most effective ways to treat depression?
What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
29
What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
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Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their


children?
What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
How does stress affect the body?

History

Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters
changed since Hurricane Katrina?
What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
What were the impacts of British rule in India?
Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement
in the United States?
What were the causes of the Civil War?
How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and
reconstruction after the Civil War?
Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American
Revolution?
What caused Hitler's rise to power?
Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide?

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Religion

Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson
family, etc.)
How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic
Church?
How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past
decades/centuries?
What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/agnosticism in the United
States?
What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the
Buddha?
How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September
11th?

Science/Environment

How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the
US?
Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased
in the past few decades.
Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of
time.
How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
What are the pros and cons of fracking?
What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of
extinction?
29 What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
How are black holes created?

300 Technology
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Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer
anxiety and/or depression?
How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
Has social media made people more or less connected?
What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence?
Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper


Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't
hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn
good research paper topics into great papers.
29

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

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Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what
your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to
prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back
to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in


same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age
students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report
feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While
the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause
of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North
and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of
research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with
research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include
opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing


29
You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't
enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the
research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

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Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin
writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your
paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your
paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a
strong paper.

What's Next?
Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We
break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete
guide to dynamic equilibrium.

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the
fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need
to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school.

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and
Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert
Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

Need more help with this topic? Check out Tutorbase!

Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can
29 help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for
Calculus. You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect
person for your needs.

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These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you
purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!

329

author image
Christine Sarikas
About the Author
Christine graduated from Michigan State
University with degrees in Environmental
Biology and Geography and received her
Master's from Duke University. In high school
she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and
was named a National Merit Finalist. She has
taught English and biology in several countries.

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Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

hannah hirch 4/10/2019, 10:20:58 PM


I would just like to say that this helped me

Reply to hannah hirch


pristege Mutakwa 9/28/2021, 11:37:27 PM
It was helpful

Reply to pristege Mutakwa

Simon Levijoki 4/18/2019, 10:37:12 PM


Thanks for making this! It really helped me on my biggest grade for language arts
class!

Reply to Simon Levijoki

Riro Kate 5/20/2019, 7:30:28 PM


29

Thanks. Very helpful.

Reply to Riro Kate

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Sushma Singh 6/25/2019, 10:03:28 AM


Thanks.

Extremely helpful indeed.

Reply to Sushma Singh

nantan zingbong 7/4/2019, 3:36:04 PM


really nice and helpful

Reply to nantan zingbong

jung hoseok 8/6/2019, 5:32:53 PM


this helped me a lot for my research assignment !! this is very helpful, thanks a lot
<33

Reply to jung hoseok

aban mathew 9/11/2019, 2:09:03 PM


this website has helped me a lot.

Reply to aban mathew

Alissa H. 9/17/2019, 11:24:16 PM


I was having so much trouble coming up with a topic. Some very good ideas here,
thank you.
29
Reply to Alissa H.

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Robin Nouwen 10/3/2019, 2:13:32 AM


Thank u so much

Reply to Robin Nouwen

kwezi herbert 10/8/2019, 2:13:39 PM


Thank you so much.

Reply to kwezi herbert

Mahmood Sakib 10/19/2019, 1:02:05 PM


These information helped me a lot. Thank you so much

Reply to Mahmood Sakib

emma johnson 11/7/2019, 8:27:03 PM


this website saved my life. I struggle on the daily of thinking about topics for my
papers and this website ALWAYS has my back. Thank you sooooo much!!!!! Please
reply, it would make my year!!!!

Reply to emma johnson


Christine Sarikas 11/8/2019, 10:46:25 PM
Hi Emma,

Glad you find the articles useful, and good luck with your papers!

Christine
29
Reply to Christine Sarikas
Zinnat Nishi 7/13/2021, 9:32:22 PM
Wow.This Article is really helpful . First i was so confused how to do my first
300
research on my own how to choose effective topic etc then i Googled it and
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saw this article. It helps me a lot. Now am confident i can do this yeah.
Thanks

Reply to Zinnat Nishi

Hammad Shakir 11/27/2019, 10:42:24 PM


Very helpful.....

thanks....

Reply to Hammad Shakir

Bryan Suresh 1/9/2020, 9:20:40 PM


thank you so much this really helped me

Reply to Bryan Suresh


johnson 1/28/2020, 2:23:22 PM
thank you this was very helpful

Reply to johnson

jeff gordan 1/23/2020, 8:45:06 PM


thank you this was very helpful for starting me off on a project

Reply to jeff gordan

Ron Merchian 1/26/2020, 9:52:29 AM


I was having a conversation today with a student who is preparing an English paper.
29
With that in mind, I decided to do some research on the internet to see if there were
any useful tools. I read through all the ideas for subjects on your site and I was
amazed by all the clever and interesting ideas. Thank you for taking the time to help
others with their writing projects.

300 Reply to Ron Merchian


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6/29/22, 2:50 PM 113 Great Research Paper Topics

Christine Sarikas 1/27/2020, 8:17:25 PM


Thanks Ron, I'm glad you found it helpful!

Best,
Christine

Reply to Christine Sarikas

Mackenzie Cobb 2/12/2020, 12:54:21 AM


THANK YOU!!!

Reply to Mackenzie Cobb

Blessing Nyasvisvo 2/24/2020, 3:56:29 AM


THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

This really helped me with starting my research proposal.

Reply to Blessing Nyasvisvo

M Senapathy 3/12/2020, 8:47:50 PM


Thank you for having given very detailed input of the different research titles which
are really useful for me to select the appropriate way of my research in the future.
Regards

Senapathy

Reply to M Senapathy

zahra . 5/5/2020, 4:58:09 AM


29

This has really helped me. I'm a 5th grader who is in an English class that's supposed
to be for 7-10 grade curriculum. my research paper was not to be too broad nor too
uninformative and this helped me a bunch! I got a really good grade on my research
and I recommend using this. Thank u so much for this website - zahra
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Reply to zahra .
Christine Sarikas 5/5/2020, 6:53:22 PM
I'm glad it helped you Zahra!

Best,

Christine

Reply to Christine Sarikas

Lawrence Mwanza 9/11/2020, 7:49:46 PM


I am preparing to start writing my Research Paper at Ph.D. Level. I have found your
information here about selecting a good topic and how to write a great Research
paper to be very helpful. Thank you so very much.

Reply to Lawrence Mwanza

Madden Stites 9/17/2020, 12:29:08 AM


I have been asked to write a ten page paper for my first broad research paper of the
school year. I was actually pretty anxious about it, since I didn't think I would do good
or find an interesting topic with enough information and resources. I found your
page, and I'll just say it really boosted my confidence in writing this paper! Many
thanks and props to you for taking your time to write this out to help people like me!

Reply to Madden Stites

Madi Schooler 12/4/2020, 10:41:08 PM


Thank you so much!! This website is out of this world helpful, I used this on one of my
college papers and it totally helped. Thank you again Christine for helping me out
here :)
29

Reply to Madi Schooler

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yaison tong 1/14/2021, 1:31:32 PM


Thank you so much.

This website is helpful

Reply to yaison tong

Mabunda Charlotte 7/19/2021, 8:29:22 PM


Thank you so much , the website is so helpful.

Reply to Mabunda Charlotte

Ruby Maloney 9/7/2021, 6:40:03 AM


This helped me so much! Thank you :)

Reply to Ruby Maloney

Rnjodh Singh 11/16/2021, 1:06:14 PM


Thank you very much.

may these help me


get in the dream college

Reply to Rnjodh Singh


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