Guidelines for Crafting Research Titles

Aug 18, 2024

Mindmap

Lecture Notes: Writing a Research Title

Identifying a Topic

  • Initial Steps: Identify a practical and useful topic for study.
  • Describing the Topic: Summarize in a few words or a short phrase.
  • Importance: The topic becomes the central idea to explore in research.
  • Drafting a Title:
    • Begin with a working title as a roadmap.
    • Convey the central idea of the study to others.

Writing a Working Title

  • Complete the Sentence: Start with "My topic is about..."
  • Inspiration: Consider personal interests or areas of passion in research.
  • Example Topic: "Factors affecting students' performance in the New Normal."

Tips for Developing a Research Title

  • Be Brief: Avoid unnecessary words like "An approach to" or "A study of."
  • Title Length: Aim for no more than 12 words.
  • Eliminate Articles/Prepositions: Focus on the main subject.
  • Pose as a Question: Frame topic as a brief question to develop specifics.
    • Example: "How does online learning affect academic performance?"

Characteristics of Effective Research Titles

  1. Accuracy: Clearly indicate study's subject and scope.
  2. Avoid Abbreviations: Spell out terms fully (e.g., Senior High School).
  3. Stimulate Interest: Titles should be engaging, like a movie title.
  4. Use Current Nomenclature: Ensure terminology is up-to-date.
  5. Identify Variables: Include dependent and independent variables.
  6. Reveal Paper Structure: Indicate intended outcome.
  7. Suggest Relationships: Support the major hypothesis.
  8. Limit to Descriptive Terms: Exclude redundant phrases.
  9. Correct Grammar: Follow capitalization and grammatical rules.

Techniques for Narrowing Down a Topic

  • Examine Literature: Look for existing research to replicate or challenge.
  • Discuss with Others: Talk with knowledgeable individuals for insights.
  • Apply Context: Focus on specific historical or social contexts.
  • Define Aims: Clarify whether the study is exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive.

Choosing a Research Topic

  • Interest and Motivation: Choose a topic that is engaging and doable.
  • Objectivity: Avoid letting personal biases influence the research.
  • Avoid Complex Moral Judgments: Steer clear of topics that require personal judgment.

Conclusion

  • Final Thoughts: Ensure the research topic is specific and focused.

These notes provide a structured guide to understanding how to formulate an effective research title, starting from topic identification to refining the research question.