Effective and specific research of a chosen topic will define the angle of a paper. Organize research into the most effective sources. Summarizing each research source will give a student an idea of how to organize the body of the paper when writing. Highlight the research that directly addresses the paper's topic and use it as the pivotal source in the paper.
A broad topic will allow for a large amount of research. For example, "An Investigation of the Relationship Between Poverty and Education" will require vast amounts of research. However, a specific title such as "The Possible Effects of the Transition from Lei to Euro in Romania" will focus your research.
An interview with someone who has experience in the topic will give the paper credibility. Firsthand accounts of historical events or scientific research findings will give the student a basis for what it may have been like to experience the topic. This will also allow the student to approach the paper from a place of empathy.
Topics that interest the student, but that they may not have experienced before, will especially benefit from the addition of an interview. A topic that poses a question such as "Should Commercial Pilots be Armed?" will be well supported by an interview with a pilot. A topic idea that will yield many opportunities for interviews is "Social Changes due to Cell Phone Technology." Conducting a survey of cell phone users is one form of research a student can use to support this topic.
A topic concerned with a contemporary social issues gives a student the opportunity to cultivate experience. A student can hit the streets to expose herself to people and circumstances that inspired her topic. For example, a topic title such as "Animal Rights in the Sports Industry" will benefit from a visit to a race track.
An example of some other ideas that allow for exposure involve law enforcement. As a tax-paying citizen, a student has the right to request a ride-along with local law enforcement. Some stations will readily allow a ride-along, while others reserve the right to refuse if they feel the citizen would be put in danger. A topic comparing the life of a police officer working in a small town to an officer working in a city gives a student the chance to compare two dynamic sets of research.
Libraries offer near limitless resources to students. Technology has enhanced the library experience further by the addition of online archives, audio books and access to films. A student uses all resources available to give himself a well-rounded view of a topic.
The quiet atmosphere acts as a haven to a senior collecting research. A student can take advantage of the quiet and the seemingly limitless resources to build a basis of sound research. Academic studies and periodicals are good resources for a research paper. Vast amounts of subjects provide ample printed research, but scientific topics offer material with specificity in the form of academic studies. The social sciences are rife with timely topics, such as "Worker Conditions in the U.S. in 2011, Have They Improved?" An abundance of research also exists for environmental topics, for example: "The Effects of Coal as an Energy Producer" or "Why Hasn't the U.S. Conformed to the Kyoto Protocol?"
A study group made up of seniors with research topics will give a student the chance to bounce her ideas off others before putting them on paper. Discussing ideas with others may also lead a student to connect with someone who has had experience in her topic. Brainstorming with others also helps a student clarify her topic and assists with the organization of resources.
Research papers that pose a question will help ignite discussion. "Is the media still a free press?" is a broad topic that asks for an opinion. A student can use the feedback she receives to further specify the topic. Another engaging topic may be "Should Marijuana be Legalized?" This topic will encourage discussions on the U.S. economy as well as the drug culture.