How to choose a viable research topic

CHOOSING A VIABLE TOPIC FOR GRADUATE RESEARCH

Willy A Renandya, 6 Feb 2025

Embarking on a research journey is one of the most exciting yet challenging aspects of graduate studies. At the heart of this journey lies the selection of a research topic—a decision that can shape the pathways of a student’s academic and professional career. A well-chosen topic not only serves as the foundation for meaningful and impactful research but also enhances the likelihood of publication, funding, and long-term success. However, identifying a viable research topic is no small feat. It requires a deep understanding of the field, a clear sense of purpose, and the ability to anticipate future trends.

This paper aims to equip graduate students with the tools and strategies needed to choose a viable research topic, find relevant literature, and select the right journal for publication.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A VIABLE TOPIC  

A viable research topic is one that is not only interesting to the researcher but also contributes to the broader academic community. It serves as the cornerstone of a successful research project, influencing everything from the research design to the potential for publication. A poorly chosen topic, on the other hand, can lead to frustration, wasted time, and limited impact. Therefore, it is crucial for graduate students to invest time and effort in selecting a topic that is current, relevant, and sustainable.

What Makes a Research Topic Viable?  A viable research topic must meet several key criteria to ensure its success and impact. These criteria include currency, relevance, sustainability, and personal interest. Let’s explore each of these in detail:

1. Currency: The topic should reflect recent trends, developments, and advancements in the field. Research that addresses emerging issues or incorporates the latest methodologies is more likely to capture the attention of scholars and practitioners. For example, in fields like technology, medicine, or environmental science, topics that explore cutting-edge innovations or address contemporary challenges are often more impactful. Staying current also involves being aware of recent publications, conferences, and debates in your field.
2. Relevance: The topic should hold significance both locally and internationally. It should address important educational problems, contribute to theoretical debates, or fill gaps in existing knowledge. Relevance ensures that the research has practical applications and resonates with a wider audience. For instance, a topic that examines how teacher English proficiency impacts the rate and quality of language learning among young learners in Indonesia is likely to be relevant to ELT researchers, language teachers, and teacher training professionals.
3. Sustainable: A sustainable topic is one that has long-term importance and can inspire and drive further research. It should contribute to ongoing academic discussions and have the potential to evolve over time. For instance, topics on the significance of oral and written feedback, whether integrated with technology or not, continue to be relevant for decades. Sustainability also involves considering the scalability of the research—can it be expanded or adapted to address new questions in the future?
4. Personal Interest: While it is important to choose a topic that is current, relevant, and sustainable, it is equally important to select a topic that aligns with your personal interests and expertise. Passion and curiosity are key drivers of successful research, as they motivate you to delve deeper into the subject and overcome challenges. A topic that excites you is more likely to sustain your interest throughout the research process.

In sum, to assess the viability of a research topic, graduate students can apply the five-year and ten-year rules. The five-year rule focuses on recent developments, ensuring the topic is current and is receiving a lot of research attention. As a rule of thumb, topics older than five years may be considered dated and less aligned with contemporary academic interests.

The ten-year rule, on the other hand, highlights the topic’s sustainability and long-term relevance, enabling students to continue their research on the same topic even after completing their initial work. Frequent shifts in core research topics are generally discouraged, as they can disrupt the depth and continuity of scholarly progress. Together, these rules provide a balanced approach, ensuring a topic is both timely and capable of sustaining long-term academic engagement.

Research is a demanding process that requires significant time, energy, and dedication. Without genuine passion for the topic, it can be difficult to maintain the motivation and commitment needed to see it through. This is why students should carefully choose a topic that aligns with their personal interests and expertise. Passion and knowledge are essential, as they provide the drive to stay focused, think creatively, and overcome challenges. When a topic resonates with your interests and strengths, the research process becomes more engaging and fulfilling.

FINDING RELEVANT LITERATURE

A strong theoretical foundation is essential for conducting meaningful research. Graduate students must immerse themselves in the existing body of literature to identify gaps, understand key debates, and position their work within the broader academic discourse. Here are some steps to effectively find and engage with relevant literature:

1. Identify Key Scholars: Begin by identifying influential scholars in your field. Platforms like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and academic databases can help you locate experts whose work aligns with your interests. Pay attention to scholars who are frequently cited, as their work is likely to be foundational or groundbreaking.
2. Read Recent Publications: Focus on recent books, book chapters, and journal articles to stay updated on the latest developments in your field. Reading recent publications ensures that your research is informed by current trends and avoids redundancy.
3. Explore Review Papers: State-of-the-art review papers are invaluable resources for graduate students. These papers synthesize existing research, highlight key debates, and propose future directions. By engaging with review papers, you can identify gaps in the literature and position your research as a contribution to ongoing discussions. Language Teaching (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-teaching/all-issues) , a journal published by Cambridge University Press, regularly publishes state-of-the-art articles on numerous aspects of language teaching.
4. Use Academic Databases: Utilize databases like Scopus and Web of Science to access high-quality, peer-reviewed literature. These platforms often provide advanced search options, allowing you to filter results by publication date, subject area, and citation count.
5. Attend Conferences and Seminars: Academic conferences and seminars are excellent opportunities to learn about emerging research trends and network with scholars in your field. Engaging with the academic community can provide fresh perspectives and inspire new ideas for your research.
6. Leverage Interdisciplinary Resources: Don’t limit yourself to your immediate field of study. Exploring interdisciplinary resources can provide unique insights and open up new avenues for research. For example, a student studying TESOL or Applied Linguistics might find valuable perspectives in sociology, education and psychology.

By building a strong theoretical foundation, graduate students can ensure that their research is grounded in existing knowledge while contributing something new and valuable to their field.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT JOURNAL

Publishing in reputable journals is a crucial step in establishing academic credibility and sharing your research with a wider audience. However, selecting the right journal can be challenging, given the vast number of options available. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a journal:

1. Journal Type: Journals can be broadly categorized as research-focused or practice-oriented. Research-focused journals typically publish empirical studies and theoretical papers, while practice-oriented journals focus on practical applications and case studies. Beginning scholars might initially target practice-oriented journals (e.g., ELT Journal, Modern English Teachers and Humanizing Language Teaching) before they send their papers to research-focused journals (e.g., RELC Journal and System).
2. Journal Locality: Consider the geographic reach of the journal. Some journals have a national or regional focus, while others have an international audience. If your research has global implications, targeting an international journal may be more appropriate.
3. Quality Indicators: Evaluate the journal’s quality using metrics such as impact factor, rejection rate, and indexing. High-impact journals often have higher rejection rates (ranging from 90 to 95%), but they also offer greater visibility and prestige. Additionally, check whether the journal is indexed in reputable databases like Scopus and SSCI as this can enhance the credibility of your publication.
4. Scope and Audience: Review the journal’s scope and target audience to ensure that your research aligns with its focus. Some journals specialize in specific subfields or methodologies, so it’s important to choose one that matches your study’s scope.
5. Open Access Options: Consider whether the journal offers open access publishing. Open access journals make your research freely available to a global audience, increasing its visibility and impact. However, they often charge publication fees, so weigh the benefits against the costs. Note: Do your due diligence when publishing in open access journals so as to avoid predatory journals.
6. Turnaround Time: Check the journal’s average review and publication times. If you need to publish your research quickly, target journals with shorter turnaround times. Newer journals and non-indexed journals have shorter processing time.
7. Ethical Considerations: Ensure that the journal adheres to ethical publishing practices, such as transparency in peer review and a commitment to avoiding predatory practices.

By carefully selecting a journal that aligns with your research’s scope, quality, and audience, you can maximize its impact and contribute to your field’s body of knowledge.

 LEVERAGING AI TOOLS IN GRADUATE RESEARCH

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a powerful ally for graduate students, offering innovative ways to identify viable research topics, streamline literature reviews, and support the publication process. AI tools such as Elicit, Research Rabbit, or Semantic Scholar can help you uncover emerging trends and gaps in your field by analyzing vast amounts of academic content. These platforms use powerful algorithms to recommend relevant papers, visualize research networks, and highlight understudied areas, making it easier to identify a unique and impactful research topic.  These tools can save time by summarizing articles, extracting key insights, and organizing references. For the publication phase, AI tools such as Grammarly, Quilbot and general purpose AI tools (DeepSeek or ChatGPT) can assist with language refinement, ensuring your manuscript is clear, concise, and ready for submission. By integrating AI into your research workflow, you can enhance efficiency, improve the quality of your work, and increase your chances of successful publication.

OVERCOMING COMMON CHALLENGES  

The process of choosing a research topic and preparing for publication is not without its challenges. Graduate students often face obstacles such as:

1. Information Overload: With the vast amount of literature available, it can be overwhelming to identify the most relevant sources. To overcome this, focus on key scholars and high-impact publications, and use tools like citation managers to organize your references.
2. Fear of Rejection: The high rejection rates of top-tier journals can be discouraging. However, rejection is a normal part of the academic process. Use feedback from reviewers to improve your work and consider submitting to alternative journals if necessary.
3. Time Management: Balancing research with other academic and personal responsibilities can be challenging. Create a realistic timeline for your research and publication goals, and seek support from advisors and peers when needed.
4. Maintaining Motivation: Research can be a long and arduous process. Stay motivated by setting small, achievable goals, celebrating milestones, and reminding yourself of the broader impact of your work.

 Conclusion 

Choosing a viable research topic is a rather complex process that requires careful consideration of currency, relevance, and sustainability. Graduate students must engage with recent literature, identify research gaps, and position their work within established academic conversations. Additionally, selecting the right journal is crucial for ensuring that your research reaches the appropriate audience and contributes to your academic and professional standing.

By following the steps outlined above, graduate students can navigate the complexities of research topic selection and publication with confidence. A well-chosen topic not only lays the groundwork for impactful research but also sets the stage for a successful academic career. Ultimately, the effort invested in selecting a viable research topic and publishing in reputable journals will pay dividends in the form of meaningful contributions to your field and enhanced career opportunities.

Remember, the journey of research is as important as the destination. Embrace the challenges, stay curious, and let your passion for discovery guide you toward making a lasting impact in your field.

Further reading

Floris, F. D., & Renandya, W. A. (forthcoming). Artificial Intelligence Tools for Research Writing: Practical Tips for Teachers. TESL-EJ.