Selecting a research project topic is one of the biggest challenges students face at the beginning of their final-year project or dissertation. Many students feel confused, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start. Others struggle with topics that are too broad, too narrow, outdated, or unrealistic to complete.
The truth is this: choosing the right topic sets the foundation for the entire project. A good topic makes the research enjoyable, achievable, and meaningful. A poor topic brings stress, confusion, and deadlines that feel impossible.
This friendly guide explains 10 practical things you should do when finding a project topic, using simple examples anyone can understand.
1. Identify Your Area of Interest
The first step is to choose an area you genuinely care about or at least enjoy reading. When you are interested in your topic, the entire research journey becomes easier.
Example:
If you love discussing health issues, topics like:
- Effect of Diet on Students’ Academic Performance
- Impact of Stress on Blood Pressure among Adults
may interest you more than something like The Role of Corporate Tax in Economic Development.
If you enjoy business, you may prefer topics such as:
- Customer Satisfaction and Sales Growth in Small Businesses
- Impact of Digital Marketing on SMEs in Nigeria
Working on something you are curious about saves you from boredom and last-minute frustration.
2. Review Past Project Topics
Next, review previous research works in your department or school. This helps you understand what has been done, what topics are acceptable, and which areas have good materials for review.
Where to find past works:
- Your departmental library
- Online academic repositories
- Previous students
- Google Scholar
- Research blogs like Teem Projects
Example:
If you search past works and see many studies on “Effect of Social Media on Students’ Performance,” you’ll know the topic is popular and easy to work with.
However, if you see “Impact of Agricultural Financing on Rice Production in Zamfara State,” done only once and without enough materials, you may reconsider.
Past projects help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.
3. Look for a Problem to Solve
Research is meaningful only when it solves a problem or explains a real-life issue. A strong research topic starts with identifying a problem.
Ask yourself:
- What issue do people complain about?
- What gap exists in your field?
- What challenge have you noticed in your community?
Example:
If students in your school commonly complain that lecturers upload assignments late, this could inspire a topic:
“Effect of Poor Time Management on Students’ Academic Productivity.”
If small business owners around you struggle with sales:
“Impact of Social Media Advertising on Customer Engagement in Small Shops.”
Finding a real problem makes the research relevant and valuable.
4. Make Sure the Topic Is Not Too Broad
A big mistake students make is selecting a topic that is too wide to study within a short period.
Too broad:
“Factors Affecting Education in Africa.”
Better (narrowed down):
“Effects of Parental Involvement on Academic Performance of Primary School Pupils in Uyo.”
Another too broad:
“Impact of Social Media on Society.”
Better:
“Influence of TikTok Usage on Study Habits of Teenagers.”
When your topic is specific, it becomes easier to collect data, review literature, and produce a meaningful conclusion.
5. Choose a Topic You Can Research Within Your Environment
You must consider the availability of respondents, data, and materials. Avoid topics requiring information that will be difficult for you to access.
Example:
If you want to study “Impact of Leadership Style on Employee Productivity in Shell Petroleum,” you may face challenges because:
- Getting employees to respond will be difficult
- Access to management may be restricted
- Permissions may take months
Instead, choose something you can research easily, like:
- Local schools
- Hospitals
- Markets
- University students
- Small businesses
- Community groups
A feasible topic saves time and reduces stress.
6. Check for Available Research Materials
Before settling on your topic, search online to confirm whether articles, journals, books, and data exist. A topic without enough materials will frustrate your literature review.
How to check availability:
- Search Google Scholar
- Check your school library
- Browse online journals
- Explore textbooks related to your field
- Check government reports
Example:
You may choose a topic like “Effect of Virtual Reality on Learning in Primary Schools,” but if there is little research, it may be difficult to write your literature review.
In contrast, topics like:
- Job Satisfaction,
- Stress Management,
- Customer Behaviour,
- Academic Performance,
have plenty of materials available globally.
Material availability is one of the most important things to consider.
7. Make Sure Your Topic Fits Your Course or Field
Every topic must be relevant to your department. Your supervisor will likely reject topics that fall outside your field.
Examples by field:
Business Administration:
- Customer service
- Human resource management
- Marketing strategies
Public Health:
- Health education
- Disease prevention
- Nutrition
Education:
- Learning methods
- Classroom management
- Teaching strategies
Computer Science:
- Software development
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence
Choosing a topic related to your course shows understanding and keeps your research meaningful.
8. Formulate Your Topic as a Clear Research Title
A research title should be short, simple, and contain the key variables. Good topics usually follow this pattern:
“Effect of A on B among C.”
Examples:
- Effect of Study Habits on Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Uyo
- Impact of Social Media Marketing on Sales Growth of Small Businesses in Lagos
- Influence of Teacher Motivation on Classroom Effectiveness in Public Primary Schools
A clear topic guides you on what to write in your objectives, research questions, and methodology.
9. Discuss Your Topic Idea With Your Supervisor or a Knowledgeable Person
Before finalizing your topic, discuss it with your supervisor or someone experienced. They may help you:
- Refine the topic
- Narrow or broaden it
- Suggest better wording
- Identify gaps or challenges
- Recommend materials
Example:
A student might propose:
“Impact of Social Media on Youth.”
A supervisor may respond:
“That’s too broad. Focus on a specific platform or behaviour. For example: ‘Influence of Instagram Usage on Self-Esteem of Female Undergraduates’.”
This feedback makes your topic more academically useful.
10. Choose a Topic You Can Finish Within the Available Time
The best topic is one you can complete before the submission deadline. Avoid topics requiring:
- Long travel
- Large sample size
- Sensitive data
- High financial cost
- Complex experiments
Example:
A topic like:
“Experimental Analysis of Water Purification Using Solar Technology”
may require equipment, money, and time that you do not have.
Instead, a simpler but meaningful topic like:
“Assessment of Students’ Awareness of Waterborne Diseases”
is easier to complete using questionnaires.
Always consider your time, resources, and skills before choosing a topic.
Practical Illustrations: Good vs. Poor Topic Choices
Below are simple examples to help you understand the difference between strong and weak topics.
1. Education Field
Poor:
“Education in Nigeria.” (Too broad)
Good:
“Effect of Teacher-Student Relationship on Learning Outcomes in Public Secondary Schools.”
2. Business Field
Poor:
“Marketing Strategies of Companies.”
Good:
“Effect of WhatsApp Marketing on Sales Performance of Small Food Vendors in Abuja.”
3. Computer Science
Poor:
“Software Development.”
Good:
“Design and Implementation of a Mobile Attendance App for University Students.”
4. Public Health
Poor:
“Malaria.”
Good:
“Knowledge and Prevention Practices of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Uyo.”
5. Economics
Poor:
“Inflation in Africa.”
Good:
Effect of Exchange Rate Instability on the Cost of Imported Goods in Nigeria (2015–2023).”
Final Thoughts
Finding a project topic should not be stressful. Once you know what to look for—your interest, available materials, feasibility, clarity, and academic relevance—you will be able to choose a topic that is original, manageable, and easy to research.
To summarize, the 10 things you should do when choosing a project topic are:
- Identify your area of interest
- Review past project works
- Look for a real-life problem
- Narrow the topic
- Choose a topic you can research within your environment
- Check for available materials
- Ensure the topic fits your field
- Craft a clear and simple title
- Discuss with your supervisor
- Select a topic you can finish within your available time
When you follow these steps, your research journey becomes smoother, more enjoyable, and more successful.