The big question: Choosing a research topic

    I would consider this to be one of the hardest questions on this planet. No matter how young are you or old this questions can consume your mind. Let’s see how can we get to asking a question. We start small, blank and with no worry of reaching a solution. Yes, don’t think of any conclusion yet. 

It’s time to know yourself first before you become a samaritan solving world problems! We are going to begin with asking a questions to ourselves. So, let’s walk up to the mirror and give a big smile appreciating everything you see. Now let’s begin with asking, “What’s my favourite subject?” “What are my hobbies?” “What’s my favourite kind of leisure?” Do all the three answers to your questions align? Well, they don’t have to but if the do you have found the subject to dig deeper. If they don’t you have 3 options to pick to dig deeper. This works even when you’re not going to participate in any research, you can use this strategy to even make decisions to write about yourself, draw a sketch or paint, make a flyer for your school, an essay or write your first research article as a university student or a teacher. It doesn’t have to be science, it can be art, a book or some random thing that might not even appear like research worthy. 

For children, you might even think of “what will happen if internet stops working for one day? Or “can we live on the moon?” Or “what will happen if there were no pets?” Or “what if there was a common language to talk to animals?” Or “How can we save water?” Or “what if guitar had 7 strings?”

For students, you might have wondered about alternative fuel, life cycles of living or non living things, climate change or the most iconic question of the decade, “will AI take over?”

For teachers, you might be thinking about teaching strategies, student response and behaviour or a particular subject that feeds your curiosity.

Again, start small! Start with a single sentence or just bullet points, consider the category of your interest and keep it very simple yet focused. If you feel your thoughts are wandering off the topic then use another page and note it down then come back to the previous or continue with the next. This may happen initially until you find your topic that spikes your interest. 

Now it’s time to ask the big question, “Why?” A why will help you answer something giving you an opportunity to write. This will give a purpose to your question and validate your question. Remember, one good question with a purpose can make one article or an essay. May be it’s time that you’ll find a heading to your writing which you can write on the top of your page or word document in big bold writing. Keep the heading simple and informative, it doesn’t have to be catchy, creative or fancy! As you proceed you will get there where your titles draw all the attention but start with a simple title. 

In the next article, we will learn more about exploring, gathering information and creating a fact sheet. All the best in finding what you love. 

Research shouldn’t be about academics but should be a part of our lives to encourage critical thinking.

-Gandhalee Manohar-Ramnathkar