Finding a good topic is more art than science, and there is not an exact formula. But there is a process, and it gets easier the more practice you have.
A good topic should be:
Coming up with a topic can feel like playing Goldielocks sometimes - you continually narrow and/or broaden your research question.
Population or Problem
Intervention
Comparison or Control
Outcome
Examples:
Population (P) | Intervention (I) | Comparison/Control (C) | Outcome (O) |
---|---|---|---|
Do adults | who binge drink | compared to adults who do not binge drink | have higher mortality rates? |
Are children | placed in kinship care (with grandparents or other relatives) | and not foster care | more likely to graduate high school? |
Parents who do not live together | family counseling | individual counseling | more involved fathers |
Identify the PICO in the following question:
Does music therapy help children with autism spectrum disorder communicate more effectively with their families?