Qualitative Research| Research Topic & Research Title

Summary

In this session, Miss A introduces practical research, focusing on selecting a research topic and constructing a research title. She outlines important guidelines for choosing a research topic, emphasizing interest, feasibility, and available resources. She also advises avoiding controversial, overly technical, too broad, or too narrow topics. Miss A provides examples of research topics to avoid and offers guidance on crafting a concise, original, and engaging research title. The session concludes by encouraging students to think critically about their research process and choose topics they are passionate about.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research topics should be chosen based on personal interest, as it enhances motivation and knowledge for the study.
• 😀 Understanding the environment and people around you helps identify real-world problems to address in your research.
• 😀 Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of others, when selecting a research topic.
• 😀 Availability of resources (primary and secondary sources) is essential before finalizing a research topic.
• 😀 Consider your limitations, such as time, financial resources, location, and personal circumstances when selecting a research topic.
• 😀 Avoid choosing topics that you cannot realistically investigate or solve within the given constraints.
• 😀 Controversial topics, which rely heavily on personal opinions, should generally be avoided unless they can be factually supported.
• 😀 Highly technical subjects should be avoided unless you are an expert, as they may lead to misrepresentation or confusion for readers.
• 😀 Too broad or too narrow topics should be avoided, as they either lack focus or require excessive effort to explore in-depth.
• 😀 Vague topics, such as those with unclear problems or overly general terms, should be avoided to ensure a clear and focused research paper.
• 😀 Overused topics (e.g., bullying, same-sex marriage, mobile game addiction) should be avoided unless you can offer a fresh perspective.
• 😀 A research title should be original, concise (5-15 words), clear, and catchy to hook the reader's interest while accurately summarizing the paper's main idea.

Q & A

What is the significance of choosing the right research topic in qualitative research?

Choosing the right research topic is crucial because it determines the direction of the study. A topic that is interesting to the researcher is more likely to yield valuable insights, making it easier to conduct the research and finish it within the required time frame.

What are the guidelines for selecting a research topic in qualitative research?

The guidelines for selecting a research topic include choosing something that interests you, considering the environment and problems around you, being aware of personal strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the availability of resources, and assessing the feasibility based on time and other limitations.

Why should researchers avoid controversial topics in qualitative research?

Controversial topics should be avoided because they often rely on the writer's opinion, which can lead to bias or prejudice. Qualitative research requires objective analysis, and controversial topics can turn the research into a persuasive essay rather than an unbiased study.

What are the potential risks of selecting highly technical subjects for qualitative research?

Highly technical subjects can be difficult to write about unless the researcher is an expert in the field. Moreover, technical topics may confuse the audience, especially if they are not familiar with the details of the subject, which can diminish the effectiveness of the research.

What are the challenges of selecting research topics that are too broad or too narrow?

Research topics that are too broad make it difficult to conduct a focused study, leading to an overwhelming amount of information. On the other hand, topics that are too narrow may limit available resources and research material, making it hard to support the study with sufficient evidence.

What should be avoided when selecting a vague research topic?

Vague topics should be avoided because they lack a clear focus, making it difficult to develop a precise research question. They lead to unclear insights and prevent the researcher from having a structured and effective study.

Why are 'played-out' topics considered unsuitable for qualitative research?

'Played-out' topics are subjects that have been overused in previous research papers, such as bullying or mobile game addiction. Unless the researcher can offer a fresh perspective, these topics may lack originality and fail to engage the audience.

What makes a good qualitative research title?

A good qualitative research title should be original, concise, clear, and catchy. It must accurately reflect the content of the study while being specific enough to attract readers' interest. The title should also be no longer than 15 words to maintain clarity and focus.

What are the key characteristics of a strong qualitative research title?

A strong qualitative research title is original, meaning it reflects the unique angle of the study. It should also be concise (5 to 15 words), clear, and avoid ambiguous or confusing terms. The title should capture the essence of the research without being overly complex.

Can you give examples of strong qualitative research titles from the transcript?

Examples of strong qualitative research titles from the transcript include 'A Sketch of Life of a Successful Draxman Cruz,' 'Lived Experience of a Young Mother,' and 'Challenges and Failures of a Rice Cultivator.' These titles are original, clear, and reflective of the research content.