Research Paper Topics Ideas

Research Paper Topics Ideas
Research Paper Topics Ideas

Finding a decent topic to write about can be one of the most difficult aspects of writing a research paper. Thankfully, we’ve already done the legwork for you and created a list of 113 intriguing research paper themes. They’ve been divided into ten categories and cover a wide range of topics, making it simple to choose the right one for you.

We’ve guided what constitutes a good research paper topic and how you may use your topic to start writing a fantastic paper, in addition to the list of good research ideas.

What Are the Characteristics of a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are made equal, and you’ll want to be sure you pick one that’s right for you before you begin writing. The three most crucial elements to consider when selecting research paper themes are listed below.

It’s something you’re passionate about.

When you’re interested in a topic, it’s always simpler to write a paper about it. You’ll be more inspired to undertake in-depth research and write a paper that truly covers the full subject. Even if a particular research paper topic is currently generating a lot of buzz or other people appear to be interested in writing about it, don’t feel compelled to make it your topic unless you actually care about it.


It Follows Your Teacher’s Instructions

Don’t get so caught up in lists of research paper themes that you overlook any constraints or limitations your teacher may have placed on research topic suggestions. For example, if you’re writing a research paper on a health-related topic, you won’t be able to discuss the effects of rap on the music scene, although there may be some exceptions. If you’re passionate about current events yet your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a historical topic, for example, You might be able to choose a topic that falls into both categories, such as the US-North Korean relationship. Before you start writing, be sure your teacher has accepted your research paper topic.


Current Events

  • What have been the impacts of China’s one-child policy?
  • How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
  • How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
  • Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
  • What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
  • What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
  • How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
  • How have the US’s immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
  • How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
  • What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
  • What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
  • Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain).



  • Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
  • Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
  • Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades than when they weren’t receiving a free meal?
  • Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
  • How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method?
  • Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
  • How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
  • What impact do mandatory physical education classes have on students’ health?
  • Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
  • Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
  • Does offering tenure increase or decrease the quality of teaching?
  • How does college debt affect the future life choices of students?
  • Should graduate students be able to form unions?



  • What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
  • How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
  • Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
  • Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
  • How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
  • How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
  • Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?



  • Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
  • Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
  • Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
  • Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts
  • have they experienced as a result?
  • Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
  • Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
  • Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?



  • Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
  • How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
  • How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
  • What are the most effective ways to treat depression?
  • What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
  • Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
  • What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
  • Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
  • Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
  • How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
  • Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
  • What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
  • How does stress affect the body?



  • Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
  • What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
  • Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
  • How has New Orleans and the government’s response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
  • What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
  • What were the impacts of British rule in India?
  • Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
  • What were the successes and failures of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States?
  • What were the causes of the Civil War?
  • How did Abraham Lincoln’s assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
  • Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
  • What caused Hitler’s rise to power?
  • Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
  • What led to Cleopatra’s fall as ruler of Egypt?
  • How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
  • What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide?



  • Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
  • Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
  • How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
  • How has the Catholic church’s power changed over the past decades/centuries?
  • What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/agnosticism in the United States?
  • What were the influences in Siddhartha’s life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
  • How has the media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?



  • How has the earth’s climate changed in the past few decades?
  • How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
  • Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
  • How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
  • How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
  • What are the pros and cons of fracking?
  • What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
  • What have NASA’s biggest successes and failures been?
  • How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
  • Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
  • Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
  • What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
  • What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
  • How are black holes created?



  • Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
  • How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
  • Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
  • How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
  • Has social media made people more or less connected?
  • What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence?
  • Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
  • What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
  • How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
  • When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
  • Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?