The feminist movement fights for social, political and economic equality between men and women. Researching differences in economic gains and opportunities between the two sexes, especially on a global level, can bring insight into major global trends with regard to gender equality. Topics for economic research addressing gender equality include basic wage differences for similar jobs between men and women and economic factors that may dissuade women from becoming mothers.
With the trend toward a global economy, the study of international economic affairs is becoming increasingly important. Understanding how large economic forces impact smaller economies or how child labor is seeing a resurgence in countries entering an industrial phase are valid topics for research projects. Another consideration within international economics involves the idea of market size, which with the advent of global Internet sales has seen massive growth in certain markets.
Agriculture is a field undergoing much change. Fair trade programs in the global market and an increased interest in scaling down food production to more localized distribution can provide topics for research projects. Biofuel, whose implications have been discussed at length by ecological groups, is another potential topic for research. The biofuel industry directly impacts agriculture as it is often made from major crops such as corn.
The costs of providing health care is a much-discussed topic, especially in the United States. The study of pharmaceutical companies, medical studies, hospital bills and health insurance can raise deep, ethical questions. With each major country having its own health care system, doing research on health economics can help you learn more about political science as well as economics.