Topics For Journal Papers -How To Get Topics For Journal Papers CONFERENCE THEMES, SUBJECT AREAS, Find out more

Topics For Journal Papers -How To Get Topics For Journal Papers CONFERENCE THEMES, SUBJECT AREAS, Find out more

Journals are a compilation of research works in a specific area or discipline. However, some multidisciplinary journals publish research works for numerous disciplines. Journal publications are significant in the career of academics. They are essential in the advancement and progress of our world. This post offers a guide in choosing topics for journal papers.

How To Get Topics For Journal Papers – Choosing a topic for Research journal papers

Getting a topic for journal papers is similar to that of academic papers. However, the topic for journal papers is usually quite narrower.

The following are tips for choosing topics for journal papers if you are writing your first paper

• Define your specific research interest: You must have a specific area your research is focused on.
• Brainstorm on ideas: Thinking, either alone or as a group, on possible research topics
• Conduct an in-depth literature search: Search academic databases for studies in your area of interest. Databases you can search include
• Google
• Google Scholar
• PubMed
• SCOPUS
• Web of Science, among others
• Identify gaps in literature and practice: You can get this by reading the limitation and recommendation sections of the paper
• Check for available academic conferences: There are lots of academic conferences accepting the presentation of research findings by researchers. You can get a topic to work on from the list of topics or tracks of the conference.
• Compile a list of possible research topics: From these above steps, you can compile a list of topics to work on. An easy way is first to compile the research questions; you can get the topic later.
• Meet or communicate with your research mentor or supervisor: An expert in research, especially in your field, would be able to guide you in picking the best from your list of research questions or topics.

Now, choosing a topic is based on the type of journal paper you are writing. We will be exploring different types of paper journals publish.

1. Original article: This usually follows the IMRAD approach. IMRAD stands for the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion Section. This is the most standard type of research manuscript. Topics or research question for this type of journal paper usually requires data collection. Data for original research can be collected by the researcher or gotten from secondary sources such as the World Health Organization, World Bank, and United Nations, among others.

Examples of a topic for this type of journal paper are;

• Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria
• Factors responsible for poor education in Nigeria
• Association between student’s intelligence quotient and parent’s wealth
• Relationship between parenting style and children’s academic performance

2. Literature review: This is one of the easiest types of journal papers. It is very similar to prose. A literature review can be in a relatively narrow area. An outline is created, and the various subtopics are discussed extensively. The literature review does not involve data collection; hence topics or research questions involving data collection cannot be answered by the literature review; For example, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Using a literature review, one will only be able to present past findings and not a new one. So, to answer the research question: what is the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria? An original article is needed. However, note that the literature review is conducted in a thesis and dissertations, which requires data collection. The review here is to understand clearly the keep concepts, and findings, among others. In the area and does not answer the research questions.

3. Systematic review: This is the second-highest level of research. It is very similar to a literature review. However, works of literature are reviewed systematically. A list of databases of academic articles are searched, and those that meet the eligibility criteria are then chosen for review. Two independent reviewers usually conduct the review; in cases of a tie or disagreement, a third reviewer comes in place. Systematic reviews usually involve pooling qualitative research findings to obtain a consensus. Presently, systematic reviews are conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Standards for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). Also, the systematic review protocol is registered, and a PROSPERO ID is obtained. The topic for a systematic review must contain the name “systematic review.” Also, the topic should be on an area well researched, an area with several publications to be reviewed.

4. Meta-analysis: This is the highest level of research. The process involved is very similar to what obtains in a systematic review. However, in a systematic review, the quantitative findings are the focus. So, the qualitative findings of the eligible papers are pooled together and analyzed. Note that the papers are assessed for bias. Also, a meta-analysis should be conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. All the items or criteria in the guideline have to be met. Therefore, a topic for meta-analysis should contain the name “meta-analysis”. Also, like a systematic review, the topic should be in a well-researched area with available publications to review and analyze.

5. Comment: This is usually a concise journal paper with 500-1000 words and less than ten references. It is usually a response to a finding in a paper in a particular journal. A comment or commentary can be written to critique the methods used in a particular study published in that journal. Usually, this should be written less than three months after the article has been published. Also, a comment can be a short, powerful, insightful presentation of a key topic. Therefore, the topic choice has to be formatted appropriately.

6. Opinion article: This type of journal paper presents your opinion about a particular issue. It is also known as a viewpoint. It is usually concise and about the same length as a commentary. The viewpoint is usually written by expert, renowned and respected researchers in an area. Therefore, the topic should be on involving the presentation of one’s opinion.

7. Case study: This is very popular in the health discipline but exists in other disciplines. In this type of journal paper, the writer of the researcher presents an unusual case he or she managed. Also, the case can be on a particular patient managed effectively. So, case studies are on several areas that are of interest to other persons in that field. Therefore, the topic should have the name “case study.” Also, the topic should involve presenting a particular case or situation.

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