The process of choosing a research topic can be a complex one, and it is important to adopt a flexible approach. The goal of a researcher should be to choose a problem that is specific in nature and focused on a limited time period. The topic, however, should not constrict the researcher’s ability to carry out a thorough investigation.
Why Too Narrow a Research Topic Should be Avoided
A research topic that is too narrowly defined can lead to any of these problems:
- There is a lack of information, and what is available is tangential or irrelevant.
- The information is too specific to lead to any significant conclusions.
- The sources available cover a limited range of ideas and hence cannot be expanded into a full-length paper.
- The research problem is too case-specific to be generalized or applied to other contexts.
- The significance of the research problem is applicable to a very small population sample.
When a researcher encounters any of the above-mentioned issues, they should consider expanding the scope of their study; they can look for parallels and associations applicable to the initial problem rather than abandoning the topic altogether.
Tips for Broadening a Research Topic
An effective strategy for expanding or broadening a research topic is to ask oneself six important questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Let’s take the example of the following research topic and apply the six questions strategy to broaden it:
Do genetically modified Granny Smith apples cause allergic reactions?
It is nearly impossible to expand the stated topic into a full-fledged research paper because it attempts to answer a question for which studies have not yet given an answer. Finding an answer requires more long-term scientific research. Therefore, the researcher could ask themselves:
- Who/Which other genetically modified fruits/foods are known to cause allergic reactions?
- What are the effects and health risks posed by genetically modified apples? What problems do they eliminate? The same question applies to genetically modified fruits and foods in general.
- Where are genetically modified apples/fruits/foods being sold? Are they popular among consumers?
- When – how long have genetically modified foods been in existence? Have they become more popular/affordable over time?
- How – what are the ways in which scientists are trying to reduce the health risks posed by genetically modified foods?
- Why – should consumers prefer/avoid genetically modified apples/fruits/foods?
Researchers looking to broaden their topic can benefit from reflecting upon these six questions during their initial review of literature. This will help them find ways to expand the parameters of their original problem by identifying new avenues of investigation and focusing on gaps in the available literature when answers are not available. Once they identify additional directions in which the study could proceed, they could try narrowing it down if required. Expanding a research topic is a less complex process than narrowing it down because eliminating relevant details may result in lost opportunities and potential limitations for research.
Determining if a Research Problem is Too Narrow
Before assuming that their research problem is too narrowly defined, researchers must consult with a librarian; librarians are experienced in finding and interpreting information with reference to a research problem. They can lead researchers to undiscovered sources or guide them toward a broader view of the research problem using obscure or unknown resources.
