100 Research Paper Ideas for College Students

Let’s be honest. Trying to write a research paper on a topic with which you feel absolutely no connection can be more grueling than trying to explain trigger warnings to your grandparents. 

Even if you’re ready to spend a good few hours chugging out research and drafting your research paper paper, sometimes one of the hardest things is identifying a topic. Yes, you can simply pick the first one you think of…but it’ll be SO much more enjoyable to write the paper if you’re actually interested in the topic. 

Research paper topic ideas

So if you’re in need of a research paper topic idea, or simply want to start cultivating a brainstorm list, we’ve got you covered!

Technology research papers

1. How will artificial intelligence impact the education system?
2. What are the most influential technological innovations to date?
3. How can technology be positively or negatively used in the classroom?
4. Should schools have no-phone policies?
5. How have technological innovations impacted the workforce? 
6. How has technology impacted motivation and productivity?
7. How is technology currently impacting learning outcomes?
8. How can virtual reality enhance education?
9. How can technological advancements improve modern healthcare?
10. How can we address privacy concerns surrounding social media?
11. How has technology impacted the music industry?
12. How can artificial intelligence impact art? 

Media research papers

1. How can we better protect children from danger online?
2. How does social media affect body image?
3. Should censorship exist on social media?
4. How does advertising affect critical thinking?
5. How can we prevent cyberbullying?
6. How can videogames harm/benefit child development?
7. How does text-messaging affect literacy?
8. Should schools provide media training for students?
9. How serious is social media addiction?
10. How are social media and technology impacting relationships?
11. How can we protect ourselves from falling for “fake news”?
12. Should parents monitor the websites their children visit?
13. How does bias arise in the media?
14. What is the relationship between social media and empathy?
15. How does the media influence stereotypes?

Health research papers

1. What is the influence of social media on mental health?
2. Is organic produce actually better than non-organic produce?
3. How can we address the current burnout crisis in the U.S.?
4. How does emotional distress impact physical health?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of going vegan?
6. What are the effects of diet culture on mental health?
7. How do eating disorders affect development? 
8. What are the differences between public and private hospitals?
9. How do anxiety disorders impact learning outcomes?
10. What are the impacts of sleep deprivation on mental health?
11. How can mindfulness improve chronic health conditions? 
12. How does trauma impact mental health? 
13. How does obesity impact health outcomes? 
14. How does depression impact the immune system?
15. What is the importance of diet in reducing chronic diseases?
16. What is the role of placebo treatment in modern medicine?

Education research papers

1. How can schools better support students with ADHD?
2. What are the biggest problems with the college admissions process?
3. Do college athletes get preferential treatment? How so?
4. How does homeschooling impact student outcomes?
5. Is grade inflation good or bad?
6. Should students be required to take standardized tests?
7. What is the right amount of homework for K-12 students?
8. Should schools have a say in children’s social media usage?
9. When (if ever) should children have sex education in school?
10. Should students receive leadership training in school?
11. How do book bans affect school culture?
12. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having school uniforms?
13. What are the benefits of a multilingual education?
14. Should schools continue to use print books?
15. How involved should parents be in their children’s education?
16. What is the effect of class size on learning outcomes? 
17. What is the difference between private and public education?
18. Should teachers have complete freedom of speech in the classroom?
19. Should all schools have metal detectors?
20. How did COVID-19 impact the education system?
21. What are the pros and cons of offering tenure?
22. How does education reduce poverty?

Psychology research papers

1. How do modern gender roles affect self-perception?
2. What is the impact of group conformity on decision-making?
3. How does social-emotional learning affect cognitive development?
4. What is the importance of free play on child development?
5. What is the relationship between personality and creativity?
6. What are the causes of prejudice?
7. How does nonverbal communication impact interactions? 
8. How does peer pressure affect childhood development?
9. What is the impact of videogames on aggression?
10. How does introversion affect child development?
11. How can we prevent hindsight bias?
12. How does parenting style affect child development?
13. What are the causes of low self-esteem in children?
14. How do rewards impact student motivation?
15. Can mindfulness help reduce depression?
16. What is the relationship between exercise and cognitive function?
17. What is the relationship between stress and student achievement?
18. How do implicit and explicit biases affect work culture? 
19. What are some of the challenges faced by people with social anxiety disorders? 
20. How do dreams impact mood and cognitive function?

Culture research papers

1. How does a lack of diversity affect the workplace? 
2. How do cultural beauty standards impact self-confidence? 
3. How do social norms impact child development?
4. How can we mitigate gender norms in the classroom?
5. What are the causes of political division in the U.S.?
6. How do gender roles vary across different cultures? 

Environmental research papers

1. How can we effectively address and combat global warming?
2. How does air pollution affect wildlife?
3. How will climate change continue to affect the environment?
4. How can schools do their part to improve sustainability?
5. How does climate change affect economics?
6. What can we do to keep rivers clean?
7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy?
8. How can we manage overpopulation?
9. What is the relationship between deforestation and global warming?