What are some specific interesting topics to research?

My dear, interesting topics are all around you! OK, let's start right where you are: your computer. What is its history? Who designed the particular things you use, hardware and software? Who owns the copyrights to the book on the shelf over your head, and how did they get involved in such a topic? Can you find his or her biography on the Internet?





Or go out to the kitchen for a snack. What is the nutritional value of that snack, and how does it compare with your next most favorite snack foods? What would a diet composted entirely of packaged, don't-have-to-cook foods consist of? Could one get all the essential nutrients that way? Or a diet for the homeless, that can't cook or refrigerate anything? Would camping information apply to them?





So now you need to go to the bathroom. Who invented the thing you're sitting on? (I'm told the name was Thomas Crapper, that he was English. Can you find his name in real history, or is he an urban legend?)





You see? They're all around you! Contemplate anything that has significance to your life, and chances are there is a story attached. The history, the science, the math, the law, the politics, even the language and literature, of a particular item. (Who writes those things on the package? What labeling laws do they have to obey?)

What are some specific interesting topics to research?
My goodness, that list would be endless!! To get started how about:





The history of the Bubonic plague





The recent Midwest mumps outbreak





American football vs. European football





An Ivy League education vs. a public college education and the ensuing career paths and earning potentials of those graduates





The most common college majors in the United States and in other countries





The history of American High School Cheerleaders and the "debate" over whether competitive Cheerleading is a sport unto itself





The most popular pets that people own





The most traveled to countries





Foreign adoptions and the rising popularity of celebrity adoptions





The rise of homeschoolers in the United States in recent years, especially among non-religious families
Reply:I don't know what class this may be for, but you might consider doing something relevant to recent history. For instance, if I were in school again, I would write a thesis on the effects of hurricane Katrina on the commodities markets. Of course, gas prices are obvious buy you could go so much deeper. Fuel surcharges biting into local governments and small businesses. Gravel, steel, and concrete prices doubling, causing slowdowns and major cuts in new development in public and private sectors.





You can take any angle you want to start from.... politics, economics, technology, human interest. I would be glad to read or co-write something like that.
Reply:Abandonded buildings. I did a research paper on why buildings are abandoned, here are some really cool pictures and sites that I found. The one in Japanese, you can't read it (unless you know the language) but its pretty easy to navigate throught the pictures.





I also did a research paper on Lice... I don't advise it... i'm still having nightmares! lol
Reply:In science: the ethics of specific biotechnology applications (like stemn cell research or genetically modified crop plants), renewable energy (wind, solar), and water quality issues (e.g., pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.)





In social science: the sociology of illegal immigrant populations, racism versus classism (studying whether behaviors labeled "racism" are in fact based on class distinctions.)





In the Humanities: the history of the middle east, Israel, or Iraq; Folk art in the United States; the birth and evolution of hip hop/rap music.





These are a few I would find interesting. Your interests may be much different. i would suggest looking at a newspaper, locating a topic that seems interesting to you, then dig into it.





have fun!