CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN THINKING ABOUT A TOPIC FOR A RESEARCH PAPER

1) Is the topic within the subject and time frame of the course?

2) Is the topic interesting and/or challenging?  Can I work on it for several weeks without getting bored?

3) Will the research further my knowledge and understanding of history?  Will I learn something while doing the paper?

4) Is the topic broad enough to be flexible?  Will I have some direction to go if I run into dead ends?

5) Is the topic narrow enough to be manageable?  Is it something that can be done in one semester?

6) Are there adequate resources available?  Are the sources of sufficient variety?  Can I get access to them?

7) Can I handle the techniques that will be required to master the topic?  Will I need to know a foreign language?  Does it require statistical methods or other specialized abilities?

8) Is the topic "presentable" to others?  Can the results of the research be shared in a meaningful way?