How to find a topic for your project
- Use what you're studying in class (and not just science)
Do your project on a topic that you already know a little about, e.g., in history you may deal with prehistory that could lead to a project dealing with fossils.
- Get inspiration from media sources
e.g. newspapers, the Internet, movies or TV shows. What is a significant problem in the world? What sort of research could lead to solutions?
- Get ideas from current events and issues
Consider environmental, health and social issues such as medical research, people's reactions to world events, mobile phones, the presence of bacteria on food, the danger of running red lights, alternative energy sources, ways to retain heat as a way of saving energy, non-toxic ways to eradicate weeds, or air and water pollution. What sort of issues would be timely, important and fun to research?
- Follow a personal interest or passion
Think about your interests, hobbies, and the sports or games you play. How might you be able to develop a research topic from one of these interests? Choose a topic that sounds fun. Think about competitive sports or team sports Vs individual sports, and their effects. Look at the statistical side of sports and the advantages of being the home-side. Or, look at how to play a game, analyse the best angle for taking a shot at the goal. Test different sporting equipment, such as curvature of a basketball, tennis ball bounce, swimsuit drag, aerodynamic skateboards, surfboards & scooters, slide of a hockey stick. Look at the effects of ‘chance’ on the odds of winning a game, or the probability of getting a certain throw of the dice. Look at speed, lift & distance in paper aeroplanes, radio-controlled cars and planes. Develop a computer program to play chess. Is there something in your hobby that does not work well? Think about what sort of changes can be made to make it more efficient or enjoyable.
- Investigate everyday life
Do some consumer testing. Test claims such as “New and Improved”, “Whiter & Brighter”. How about nutritional facts? Determine the best amount of sugar, fats or acid to put in a recipe. Develop the healthiest recipe for muffins. Look at what ripens fruit fastest. Analyse how you cook your food. At home, investigate rust resistance, paint durability, glue strength, insulation effectiveness. How long do bubbles last, which deodorant works best. Find out about paper towel absorbency, whether washable markers are really washable.
- Think about school and social life
Surveys people's opinions, find a project that deals with relationships, family, friends or dating. Investigate gender issues in attitudes, sports, memory, phobias or performance tests. Look at the effect of sugar & fats in your diet, the effect of smell on taste, the chemical analysis of different foods. Perhaps the effects on heart rate, memory, problem-solving skills or lung capacity.
- Talk to friends and family
Investigate someone's profession, e.g. if someone's parent investigates car accidents, ask do cars follow each other too closely. A statistician, computer programmer, writer, or artist may have great ideas. Family member's hobbies may give you an idea, you could do comparative tests. Or try to understand the problems that family members have with their interests, e.g., if someone uses a walking stick, find out how much it really helps them.
- Think about what sort of work you wish to pursue in the future What sort of problems exist in this field? What solutions could you offer? How could the job be made easier?
- Still not sure?
Try the CREST method.