CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC

CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC
OBJECTIVES/RATIONALE
The research process is used to discover, explore, expand, verify, and communicate
knowledge. Students will use a systematic approach to evaluate a safe, environmentally
appropriate, and ethical topic for research.
TEKS: 121.12 1A, 1B TAKS ELA 1, 3, 6
Science 1
KEY POINTS
I. Choosing A Research Topic
When considering topics for a workable research problem, answer the following
questions for a quick reality check about variables which may limit the research process:
• Do I posses the skills necessary to complete this study?
• Do I have access to the tools, lab, equipment, and target populations to
complete this project?
• Do I have the time and money necessary to complete this project?
• Do I have the resources necessary to obtain sufficient data?
• Do I have access to a professional in that field who will be willing and
able to advise me in the research process?
Avoid questions/problems:
• Involving morality or value systems – these are difficult to explore
properly
• Dealing with complex social, psychological, and/or behavioral issues –
these are hard to measure
• Requiring human subjects – these have ethical and legal limitations

Choose a research topic that interests you. Then……….
*Find a study that has already been done and duplicate that study.
Replication is an important part of the research process.
-or-
*Find a study that has already been done and replicate it using new
definitions of some of the variables in the study.
-or-
*Find a study that has already been done and replicate it using
additional moderator or control variables
-or-
*Find an existing study and develop a different way to test the
hypothesis
-or-
*Follow an author’s suggestions for further research needed – usually
found at the end of an article
-or-
*Contact the author of an interesting study using the internet for ideas
for further study
-or-
*Choose a problem, analyze it, and invent a completely new study
-or-
*Use a combination of the above techniques
II.
Identify a Mentor…………
A mentor is:
• Patient - ENJOYS working with and sharing knowledge with
students
• Consistent- willing to help students through the long haul – through
all phases of the research project
• Effective – qualified and knowledgeable on the topic and able to
communicate this knowledge at the level of the student

Where to look for a mentor:
• Community health care workers
• Local hospitals, clinics, and offices
• Local health department
• College or university
• Bibliographies of related articles
• Professional journals
• Ask parents for ideas
• Ask other teachers for ideas
• Ask classmates for ideas
• Yellow pages
• Newspapers
• Internet
http://www-smi.stanford.edu/people/pratt/smi/advice.html- advice about
research and mentors
http://www.ipl.org/teen/aplus/step2.htm - discovering and choosing a topic
http://tax.cch.com/help/welcome.htm - beginning your research
ACTIVITIES
Each student will select a research topic to share with the class. The class will critique the
topic chosen for possible limitations.
Student will choose a mentor for their research project and turn in a signed mentor
agreement.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Topic Choice Rubric
Mentor (Resource Person) Selection Assignment
Mentor Agreement
Safety and Ethics In Research

TOPIC CHOICE RUBRIC
STUDENT’S NAME: __________________________________________
Criteria
Student has:
Possible
Points
1 skills necessary to complete project 20
2 access to the tools, lab, equipment, and 20
target populations, to complete this project
3 the time and money necessary to complete 20
this project
4 the resources necessary to obtain sufficient 20
data
5 access to a professional in that field who 20
will be willing and able to advise in the
research process
TOTAL POINTS
(100 possible)
Points
Received
Evaluator Signature: ________________________________ Date: _________________

Mentor (Resource Person) Selection Assignment
Each student shall identify a person to act as a research mentor. This person will assist
in overseeing the research project as well as in the critique of the student and the project.
The mentor may be an instructor but not the research course instructor. The mentor
should be a professional who is knowledgeable about the student’s chosen research topic.
The student must meet with the mentor a minimum of three (3) times each six weeks
once the project has begun (approximately once every two weeks). The meetings will
take place on dates and at locations mutually agreed upon by mentor and student. During
these meetings, the student should obtain documentation from their mentor including:
date, a statement of progress of the project, and the mentor’s signature. Documentation
should be made in the student’s logbook at these meetings. The mentor should also be
asked to include any constructive suggestions or comments that would be helpful to the
student.
The mentor is not responsible for funding any part of the project nor are they responsible
for the preparation of the technical paper or oral presentation.
Student will have the mentor sign the mentor agreement and return the signed agreement
to the research instructor by the determined due date.

MENTOR AGREEMENT
Student Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Student Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Student Home Phone: ________________________Email: ___________________________________
Mentor Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Title _______________________________________________________________________________
Business Address _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Business Phone: ____________________________Email: ____________________________________
I agree to act as a mentor for the research project this student will complete during the 200_-200_
school year.
I understand that I will serve to advise the student and critique the student’s project.
As a mentor, I understand that I am required to meet with the student at a mutually agreed upon and
convenient location a minimum of three times each six week period in which he/she is collecting data.
During these meetings, I am to document the date, perceived progress of the student’s project, and
include my signature in their logbook.
As a mentor, I understand that I am not responsible for the financial expenses incurred or the design,
implementation, or technical paper preparation for this project. This is the responsibility of the student.
I understand that I may be asked to participate in the evaluation process during the oral presentations. I
agree to participate if given proper notification and my schedule permits.
In the event that I am not able to continue my affiliation with the student, I will give the student and
course instructor 30 days notice prior to my participation termination. I will offer my assistance in
finding another mentor for the student.
Mentor_____________________________________________________________Date: __________________
Student_____________________________________________________________Date: __________________
Parent______________________________________________________________Date: __________________
Instructor___________________________________________________________Date: __________________

SAFETY AND ETHICS IN RESEARCH
Examination of the ethical implications of a study is vital. Every research study raises a
unique set of ethical issues. However, there are accepted ethical standards that every
researcher should incorporate into their study:
1. respect for study subjects
2. benefits of the research are proportional to any risks assumed by subjects
3. results of the research are disseminated fairly
Research subjects should be regarded as individuals and treated with respect. Study
subjects should always be informed of the purpose of the study. Their written informed
consent to participate in the study should be sought. Their involvement in the study, how
privacy and confidentiality will be guarded, their right to refuse or stop participating, and
the manner in which the data will be used should also be clearly explained. Respect for
study subjects will improve the scientific quality of the research by improving
compliance with the researcher’s requests and instructions.
The well-being of the study subjects should be protected. The research should minimize
any possible risks and maximize the benefits of subjects participating in the study. A
valid research design should be utilized to ensure the benefits of the research are
proportionate to the risks. Study subjects participate in research studies in order to benefit
society as a whole. Therefore, no single group, especially not the disadvantaged,
vulnerable, or minority groups, should be asked to bear a disproportionate share of the
risk.
Any benefits resulting from the research should be disseminated fairly. If the problems
are too complex to deal with in the amount of time allotted, the research proposal should
be modified.
The Department of Health and Human Services has summarized guidelines, as follows, to
ensure that research is conducted in an ethically acceptable manner:
• Risks to subjects are minimized and proportionate to the anticipated
benefits and knowledge
• Data are monitored to ensure the safety of subjects
• Selection of subjects is equitable
• If subjects are vulnerable, additional safeguards are included
• Informed consent is obtained, including:
o Nature of the research study
o Procedures involved in the study
o Potential risks and benefits of the study
o Participation is voluntary
o Confidentiality is protected
o Answers to questions that study subjects have are made available
• Confidentiality is adequately protected