Some facts are known about Shakespeare's life, but much is left to educated conjecture. Biographer Peter Ackroyd points out that we know the date of his baptism -- April 26, 1564 -- because it was recorded in the church registry, but we are unclear about his date of birth. One research topic could focus on the primary source material that is available, such as his will and other legal documents, and analyze how the gaps in Shakespeare's life have been filled in with theories by academicians, specifically the period between 1585 and 1592.
According to Public Radio International, scholars claim that Shakespeare invented about 1,600 words, including "swagger" and "lackluster." With the advent of modern technology, that number is in dispute. Computers searching databases have uncovered evidence that some of the words for which Shakespeare has been credited were used in other texts prior to his time. Research topics might focus on how these discrepancies come to light and are resolved, as well as the overall influence of Shakespearean language on our contemporary culture.
Shakespeare wrote over 30 plays, many of which have become required study for high school and college students. The New Zealand Ministry of Education recommends several research options that explore the cultural context of these plays. For instance, students reading "Romeo and Juliet" could examine perspectives on suicide and young love in Elizabethan England.
The Globe Theatre, the most famous of its kind, was built by Shakespeare's acting company, Lord Chamberlain's Men, in 1599, and was a primary source of his income. Most of Shakespeare's plays were specifically crafted with the idea that they'd be performed at the Globe, making it a historically significant landmark. Students could research the construction, as well as the burning, of the Globe and its continued influence on tourism in England and around the world. Several replicas of the famous theater exist across the world and continue to be a draw for theatergoers.