Research papers are like an extra boost for your grade.

They're usually worth more points than other assignments because they demand more time and effort. Writing successful research papers each semester can raise your grade point average and build your academic confidence.

But the benefits of research papers go beyond just boosting your grade. Here’s why they matter and how they can help you:

Research papers are more than just another assignment; they can have a big impact on your grade. They're often weighted higher than other tasks because they take more effort and time. Writing strong research papers each semester can help raise your GPA and build your confidence as a student.

Besides improving your grades, there are several other reasons research papers are valuable. Here’s why they matter:

• Writing research papers pushes you to learn new things, which leads to more questions and answers. The more you research, the more your knowledge grows, and this can spark new interests you might not have thought about before.

• Research papers are a key part of your academic journey. They help you dive deep into a topic, showing how well you understand it. Out of all your assignments, research papers provide the clearest picture of how much you know.

• If you notice certain topics or themes appearing in your research, like workplace challenges, this could be the start of finding an area you want to focus on in your future career. Take a look at the research topics you’ve explored over the years to understand what truly interests you.

• The process of researching and writing a paper is like solving a puzzle. Each step challenges you to find solutions, making you better at solving problems over time. It's a skill that improves as you keep practicing.

• Research is crucial if you plan to attend grad school, but it also plays a big role in many job fields. Whether you're interested in starting your own business or working in another area, the skills you gain from research papers can help you get there. Each paper is a chance to explore potential career options.

• When you write a research paper, you show a variety of important skills, such as organizing ideas, analyzing information, summarizing sources, and creating strong arguments. These papers also give you the chance to showcase your ability to ask the right questions, build an argument, and reach conclusions.

Before the days of widespread computers, research was a lot like trying to find a hidden treasure. The process involved searching through physical books and periodicals, finding the right sources, and hoping your library had the information you needed. You would use tools like the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, search for your topic, record the necessary details, request the sources, and then wait for about a week to see if your request was fulfilled. And sometimes, a classmate would take things too far and tear out the page you needed.

While today's research process isn’t as dramatic, it still holds the same importance. The tools and sources may seem less essential compared to your phone and Wi-Fi, but without strong research skills, your academic progress could come to a halt, just like a phone that overheats and shuts down.

So, get ready to focus, let your friends know you’re taking a break from social media, and dive into the kind of research that brings you one step closer to your college graduation goals.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Think about this idea: As a college professor who has graded thousands of research papers, I can confidently tell you that the most important decision you’ll make, before even starting your first draft, is choosing your topic. Picking the right topic can have a big impact on your grade. A unique, well-thought-out topic can easily earn you a grade of B or higher, and often, it’s even better.

Choosing an interesting or unconventional topic shows your professor that your thinking goes beyond the ordinary. It shows that you value engaging content and that you’re committed to producing something that stands out. Here are a few examples of research paper topics that professors are eager to see, and are likely to reward:

• Culinary trends in Shakespeare’s plays: What do they tell us about nutrition during his time?

• Nineteenth-century literary characters who would make waves on Twitter — and the implications for today’s First Amendment

• Is a “good” dictatorship better than a bad democracy?

These topics mix unexpected ideas: Shakespeare’s works and nutrition, literary characters with social media, and even questioning traditional ideas (like the concept of a "good" dictatorship).

What Makes a Topic Appeal to Professors?

In addition to being unique and creative, here are some key elements that will make your topic stand out to your professor:

• Professors design research assignments to give you room for creativity, but they still expect you to stay focused. Your topic should fulfill the main goal of the assignment, which is often to make a clear argument.

• Link your topic to what you’ve learned in class. Review your syllabus, tests, notes, and readings. Think back to class discussions and try to identify major themes that relate to the assignment. This connection shows your understanding of the course material.

• Your topic should spark some debate. If you’re arguing for something, like government repayment of student loans, make sure to include the opposing viewpoint and address why someone might disagree.

• Frame your topic through an academic lens, such as economics, health, psychology, sociology, or literature. Think about how your professor, who represents the scholarly audience, might view your topic and interests. This helps ensure your topic is seen as serious and academic.

• Choose a topic that will hold your attention for the length of the assignment. Think about your major, something you’ve always wanted to learn more about, or a subject you’re passionate about discussing. A topic you care about will keep you motivated throughout the research process.

• Before you commit to a topic, make sure there’s enough research available. If you can’t find at least 15-20 sources during your initial search, or if your librarian can’t help you find sources, it might be time to rethink your topic.

How to Find Research Paper Topics

Ideas for your research paper can be found all around you. Here are some ways to help you come up with a strong topic:

• Background Reading: Start by reading as much as you can on your subject. Dig deep into the who, what, when, where, how, and why. Look for both clear explanations and ideas that are hinted at or left out. This will help you develop a fuller understanding of the topic.

• Talk to Your Professor and Faculty: Discuss your ideas with your professor to get feedback on your approach. Professors can also suggest other faculty members who might be useful resources for your research. You could even ask for examples of past research papers that they consider high quality to guide your work.

• Use Content from Other Courses: Professors appreciate when students think across disciplines. If a topic from another course fits with the assignment, it could be a great choice. Look for connections between your current coursework and your research paper.

• Explore Library Resources: Take a trip to the library or browse its website to explore topic ideas. Pay attention to displays, exhibits, and any special collections that might spark inspiration related to your assignment.

• Campus and Community Issues: Look for issues on your campus or in your local community that might tie into your research. Think about resources on campus that are working to solve community problems, as these could make for interesting topics.

• Ask Your Phone’s AI: Try asking your phone’s artificial intelligence for a topic suggestion. It might come up with a surprising and useful idea you hadn’t considered.

• Check Social Media: Explore trending topics on social media to see if there’s something currently going viral that could be related to your assignment. Popular discussions might lead you to a timely and relevant research topic.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Choosing a Topic

As a student, your main goal is to meet your professor’s expectations, which includes researching credible evidence to support your thesis. To do this successfully, you should steer clear of topics that may make it harder to achieve your objectives. Here are some topic pitfalls to avoid:

Too Complex

Some topics are just too complicated for a research paper. They can make the assignment harder than it needs to be and take more time than you have. Examples of overly intricate topics include:

• The reasons behind falling GPAs among first-generation college students who commute and work full-time, which limits their study time.

• The impact of AI in the workplace, its role in replacing college writing, and its ethical implications.

These topics are broad and require extensive research, which could overwhelm you and stretch the assignment beyond its intended scope.

Non-Arguable Topics

In a research paper, you need to argue a point. But if your topic isn’t debatable, it can be hard to form an argument. Examples of non-arguable topics include:

• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and needs a cure.

• Colleges with large endowments offer more resources to students than colleges with smaller endowments.

These topics state facts that don’t leave room for a discussion or argument, making them unsuitable for a research paper.

Topics About Values

While college students often feel strongly about their personal values, these topics can be tricky for research papers. Most of the time, defending personal values in an academic paper isn’t effective, especially if the topic isn’t related to ethics or values-based courses. Here are a couple of examples:

• The importance of honesty and authenticity.

• The value of compassion and service to others.

Such topics are difficult to support with scholarly sources and often turn into opinion pieces, which aren’t ideal for research papers.

Too Technical

Avoid topics that require too much technical knowledge or jargon. If the subject is too complex for your audience, it can be hard to explain or argue effectively. Some examples include:

• The advantages of high-tech swimwear in college competitive swimming.

• How energy efficiency in HVAC systems depends on air exchange capabilities.

These topics often require specialized knowledge that might be outside the scope of your class or the average reader’s understanding.

Personal Obsessions

It’s tempting to choose a topic that you’re passionate about, such as politics, religion, or personal health. However, these topics often involve emotions rather than logic, and your paper may come across as more opinion-based than research-based. It’s important to remember that your argument should be grounded in scholarly sources, not personal beliefs.

How to Create a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the most important sentence you’ll write in an academic paper. It outlines the stance your paper will take and guides how the argument will unfold. Think of it like the settings on your device, if the thesis doesn’t work, your entire paper can fall apart.

The thesis is like the foundation of your paper. Every idea you present throughout your research should tie back to it. In research papers, thesis statements are often referred to as "claim statements" because they express the central argument or position you're defending.

Creating a thesis statement requires more effort than writing any other sentence in your paper. If your thesis fails, your paper is likely to fail too. In the following sections, we'll explain the importance of a thesis and offer five steps to help you create an effective one.

Focus Your Thesis on a Problem Within the Topic

Once you’ve analyzed your assignment and done some background reading, pinpoint a problem related to your topic. Here’s an example on the topic of college degrees: Nearly 60% of first-year students don’t graduate within six years.

This presents a problem: Millions of students are unable to finish their college education and miss out on the financial benefits a degree can bring, all while accumulating around $15,000 in student loan debt.

Your thesis should present a solution backed by research. If your thesis doesn’t focus on a clear problem, it might lose the reader's interest and fail to engage your audience.

How to Write a Thesis

A thesis statement clearly defines the purpose of your research paper and outlines the argument you'll present. For example, a thesis might read: The college admissions process should require students to demonstrate an understanding of at least three classic books.

This thesis argues that students should show critical reading skills before entering college. It connects the nearly 60% college dropout rate after six years to insufficient reading skills. The paper will support this idea with research showing that reading is a key skill for academic success.

In general, a thesis statement is an answer to the question: What is the purpose of this research paper? It often starts with a phrase like: "The goal of this paper is to argue that..." Below are a few thesis examples that complete this structure:

• The cost of producing electric vehicles often outweighs the energy savings over the vehicle's lifetime.

• Music enhances the benefits of exercising.

• Colleges share some of the responsibility for the student loan crisis.

Here are a few examples of strong thesis statements:

• The student loan crisis should be a shared responsibility between borrowers and colleges, especially the admissions process.

• Female characters in Shakespeare's plays reflect themes of today's "Me Too" movement.

• NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules have positively impacted college academics.

A common mistake when writing a thesis is making it either too broad or too narrow. Here are some examples of each mistake and how they can be improved:

• Too Narrow: College students’ academic performance is affected by eating unhealthy snacks.
  Revised: College students perform better academically when they exercise and maintain healthy eating habits.

• Too Broad: Everyone should go to college.
  Revised: While college is beneficial for many, those who are qualified and motivated should pursue it, though there are other paths to career success, such as trades or entrepreneurship.

Drafting a Research Paper Thesis in Five Simple Steps

A thesis statement gives a preview of the argument your research paper will support. Here’s a simple, five-step guide to help you craft a solid thesis for your paper:

1. Choose Your Topic

Begin by reviewing the assignment and doing some background reading. From there, pick a topic that sparks your interest and has enough research to back it up. Ensure that the topic includes a clear argument.

2. Identify a Problem

Look for a significant issue related to your chosen topic. The research paper will aim to explore and address this problem.

3. Question Your Topic

Dig deeper into your topic by asking questions to understand the problem from different angles. For example:

• Who or what is impacted by the issue?

• Who benefits, and who is harmed?

• Why does this matter? What could happen if nothing changes?

• What do these questions suggest about the content and direction of your paper?

4. Write a Research Question

Formulate a clear research question that your thesis will answer. For instance, a question like “How does NIL impact college athletes?” can serve as the foundation for your thesis.

5. Turn the Question into a Position

Finally, transform your research question into a strong, arguable thesis statement. This statement should present a clear position on the issue, offering a potential solution. For example: “NIL provides college athletes with the same social media financial opportunities as non-athlete students.”