Guidelines in Choosing a Topic

1. Interest in the subject matter You are interested about the topic because you have experienced it.

2. Availability of information It is important that when you decide on a topic, sources of information are
available.

3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic The topic you have chosen can be of significance to the
community.

4. Limitations on the subject Sometimes, topic is limited to what the teacher suggests. An example of
this is when the teacher asks the entire class to focus on COVID-19 pandemic, then you have no freedom
to explore other topics aside from what is given.

5. Personal resources Consider also if you can finish the research in terms of your intellectual and
financial physical capabilities.

Topics to be Avoided

1. Controversial topics Avoid highly opinionated topics.

2. Highly technical subjects Too technical topics requires expertise. If you don’t have enough knowledge
about it, then look for another one.

3. Hard-to-investigate subjects Unavailability of reading materials and materials that are not updated
make the subject hard to investigate.

4. Too broad subjects You lack focus if you deal with broad topics. The remedy is to narrow it down.

5. Too narrow subject Some subjects are too narrow that extensive and thorough reading are required.

6. Vague subjects Titles that start with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., make the
topic vague.

How to Narrow Down a Topic

1. You can narrow down the topic by exploring and extending the explanation of a theory.

2. Talk over ideas with people who know research.

3. Focus on specific group. Ex: Students, Mothers, Teachers

4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the study. a. Is the study exploratory, explanatory, or
descriptive? b. Is the study applied or basic?