Can a topic for research can be broader than the short essay?

Yes. A research topic can be broader than the short essay. A short essay typically covers a specific aspect or component of a broader topic. The research topic, on the other hand, encompasses a larger area of inquiry or exploration. It serves as the overarching theme or subject that the researcher intends to investigate in greater depth. Within the broader research topic, there can be multiple subtopics, angles, or facets that can be explored through different short essays or research papers.