Eight Best Factors in Selecting a Research Topic

There are no standard rules for the selection of a research topic but the under listed will serve as a guide for researchers.

1. The topic must be educational in nature. The educational nature of a topic implies that the topic must be such that is geared towards providing a solution to an educational problem. It must also satisfy one of the major objectives of educational research - extension of knowledge and making a meaningful contribution in the teaching - learning process.

2. The topic to be selected must be of interest to the researcher. A person's interest in a topic provides the motivation that will enable the researcher complete the investigation. Interest also makes for dedication and commitment in the course of the study. This is one of the reasons; the supervisor should not select a topic for students. One cannot be committed to a study that has no personal meaning to him.

3. Topic must be original: the originality of a topic first and foremost eliminates duplication. A duplicated research study amounts to waste of energy, time, material and financial resources, because solution to that problem has already been provided. An original topic adds new knowledge which contributes to educational advancement.

4. Topic must be researchable: a topic is said to be researchable if it lends itself to investigation through the collection and analysis of objective and relevant data. It employs a systematic data gathering procedure for testing its theory and arriving at the solution to the problems. Example - does God answer prayers? God cures diseases.

5. Availability of time and financial resources: the topic must be such that can be completed within the time and money availably to the researchers. Excuses relating to time and financial handicaps are not tolerated in research. Many research studies are abandoned due to lack of time and financial resources.

6. Availability of data: the topic must be one in which the researcher can easily identify his subjects and means of collecting data from the subjects. Subjects in research may be human being, objects, events and structures such as buildings.

7. Facilities for data collecting must be available; such facilities like the libraries, computer and information centres. This is important for review of literature and analysis of data.

8. Topic must be significant: it must be capable of adding to new knowledge thereby providing solution to some knotty educational and social problems. Its findings must benefit some individuals.

A critical consideration of most of the above principles will make topic selection as easy task for researchers.