Writing a Research

Title
 INTRODUCTION
As pointed out in Book 1, the research topic or research title is not like manna that
will fall from heaven, and presto! You have a title!
A Research title, or research project, is a product of real world observations,
dilemmas, wide reading, selective viewing (television programs, films, documentaries,
videos, etc.) meaningful interactions with significant others, and deep reflection.
The title of the research is the research problem or inquiry in capsule form. Great care
must be taken in the of research title. It must clearly reflect the topic of investigation. And
it must be original, clear, concise or specific.
When you finally decide on a research topic, make sure that your research topic and
research questions match. Too broad topic will you lead you nowhere. In order to narrow
down broad topics to specific ones, the purpose or intent of the study must be clear.
 Broad Topics

Broad topics should always be narrowed down.

The following are examples of broad topics:
• Blended Learning in English Classes
• Presidential Election Results
• Agri-business
• Social Networking
• Vegetarianism
 Specific topics

• Specific topics are researchable.

• The following are examples of specific research topics:
• A Correlation Study on the Use of Blended Learning in Freshman English
Classes and Student Achievement .
• The Impact of Agribusiness on the Philippine Economy
• Campaign Events and Materials and their Impact on Presidential Election
Results
• The Cause-Effect Relationships of Social Networking and Online Selling
• Effects of Vegetarianism on Physical Health
Techniques in Narrowing Down a Topic Into a Research Question

• As seen in Book 1 (Qualitative Research). Neuman (2007) suggests the

following techniques in narrowing down broad topics:
1. Examine the literature. Published articles are an excellent
source of ideas for research questions. They are usually at an
appropriate level of specificity and suggest research questions
that focus on the following:
a. Replicate a previous research project exactly or with slight
variations.
b. Explore unexpected findings discovered in previous research.
c. Follow suggestions an author gives for future
research at the end of an article.
d. Extend an existing explanation or theory to a new
topic or setting.
e. Challenge findings or attempt to refute a
relationship.
f. Specify the intervening process and consider linking
relations
 2. Talk over ideas with others.
• a. Ask people who are knowledgeable about the
topic for questions about it that they have thought
of.
• b. Seek out those who hold opinions that differ
from yours on the topic and discuss possible
research questions with them.
 3. Apply to a specific context.

a. Focus the topic on a specific historical period or time period.

b. Narrow the topic to a specific society or geographic unit.
C. Consider which subgroups or categories of people/units are
involved and whether there are differences among them.
 4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the study.

a. Will the research question be for an exploratory,

explanatory. or descriptive study?
b. Will the study involve applied or basic research?
 Other Topics of Interest
There are other topics of interest that you can use for a meaningful and
useful quantitative research:
1. Body, Health and Lifestyle Issues
2. Traffic and the Economy
3. Mobile Hospitals
4. Popular Culture and Popular Music
5. Credit Unions
6. Corporate Social Responsibility
7. Flood Control
8. Endangered Species
9. Success Indicators of Entrepreneurial Ventures
10. Friendship and Its Impact on a Person's well-being
11. Neighborliness as a Prime Factor in a Community's Peace and Order Situation
 Choosing a Topic for a Research Study

• Layder (2013) stresses that in choosing a research topic, it is important to

select a topic that interests and motivates you. It should be "doable” with
the resources at your disposal and within the required time frame.
Needless to say, the research topic should be focused and well-defined.
• Deciding on a topic also entails being clear about which ones to avoid,
especially if you have little experience as a researcher. Although topics close to
your own personal experiences may be appropriate for small-scale projects, you
must not allow personal views, ideas, opinions and prejudices cloud your
thinking. Research projects must be as objective as possible, that is, freed from
your personal biases or preferences as a researcher.
• Lastly, you should avoid research topics that involve your making moral
judgments about certain kinds of behavior.