In the competitive landscape of academic publishing, the originality of the research topic is paramount. A unique research topic attracts more readership and stands a higher chance of being cited by other researchers. The distinctive subject matter amplifies the paper's scientific, societal, or policy-related contributions, giving it greater impact (Merton, 1973; Bornmann & Mutz, 2015). The originality of the study will be an element that will increase the prestige of the researcher conducting the study (Cryer, 2006).
How to Create a Unique Topic
- Preliminary Literature Review: A preliminary review of existing literature is necessary before landing on a specific topic. This review helps identify what has already been studied, thereby highlighting the gaps that need to be addressed (Fink, 2019). Therefore, such a study is one of the most important stages for the originality of the work mentioned in the previous title. A healthy literature review will guide the researcher in "doing what has not been done".
- Consult Experts and Mentors: Feedback from experienced researchers can provide invaluable insights. This process may help refine the topic and its objectives (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004).
- Feasibility Analysis: Assess the feasibility of the topic in terms of data availability, time, and resources because an ideal research topic is unique and achievable (Creswell & Creswell, 2017). Thus, studies are not realistically implemented will not only result with an aimed conclusion but also cause serious time loss for the researcher.
- Scoping the Research Area: Determining the scope is an essential step in finalizing a research topic. A topic too broad can make the research unfocused, while too narrow may limit its significance and applicability (Booth, Colomb, & Williams, 2008). Thus utilizing tools like concept mapping or mind-mapping to visualize the breadth and depth of the potential research area are suggested (Novak & Cañas, 2008). Otherwise, researchers can get lost in the labyrinths of scientific study.
- Finalizing the Topic: Once the scope has been determined, finalizing the topic involves clearly stating the research question(s) or hypothesis. This step often includes specifying the study population, setting, and variables of interest. The finalized topic should be unique and framed in a way that lends itself to empirical investigation (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).
In summary, a unique research topic attracts more readers and increases the likelihood of being cited by other researchers. Additionally, the original topic strengthens the scientific, social or policy contributions of the article and provides greater impact. For an original/unique research topic, first a preliminary review of the existing literature should be conducted, and feedback should be obtained from experts and consultants to identify gaps. Next, the suitability of the topic in terms of data accessibility, time and resources should be evaluated and the scope of the research area should be determined. Finally, research questions or hypotheses should be clearly stated, and the research topic should be formulated in a way that is unique and amenable to empirical investigation. These steps help researchers create an original research topic while also providing a framework for clarifying and elaborating the research topic.
