By definition a research paper requires the writer to learn a great deal about their subject, so it is always a good practice to select a topic that truly interests you before you begin gathering sources. Â If you are interested in your topic, learning about it will be more pleasurable and you will write with greater passion, so choose your topic thoughtfully. Â Use the following list of 101 research paper topics as a starting point for your paper. Â As you begin learning and writing about your topic, you should revise or amend your research question or thesis statement to better match the information that you are interpreting, analyzing, and expressing. Â Let your interest guide you. Â If you’re not having fun learning and writing about your topic, perhaps you should pick one that interests you more.
Download this list in RTF format
Download this list in PDF format
101 Research Paper Topics
By: Mr. MortonÂ
- Why do we sleep?
- How do GPS systems work?
- Who was the first person to reach the North Pole?
- Did anybody ever escape Alcatraz?
- What was life like for a gladiator?
- What are the effects of prolonged steroid use on the human body?
- What happened during the Salem witch trials?
- Are there any effective means of repelling insects?
- How did trains and railroads change life in America?
- What may have occurred during the Roswell UFO incident of 1947?
- How is bulletproof clothing made?
- What Olympic events were practiced in ancient Greece?
- What are the major theories explaining the disappearance of the dinosaurs?
- How was the skateboard invented and how has it changed over the years?
- How did the long bow contribute to English military dominance?
- What caused the stock market crash of 2008?
- How did Cleopatra come to power in Egypt what did she do during her reign?
- How has airport security intensified since September 11th, 2001?
- What is life like inside of a beehive?
- Where did hip hop originate and who were its founders?
- What makes the platypus a unique and interesting mammal?
- How does tobacco use affect the human body?
- How do computer viruses spread and in what ways do they affect computers?
- What is daily life like for a Buddhist monk?
- What are the origins of the conflict in Darfur?
- How did gunpowder change warfare?
- In what ways do Wal-Mart stores affect local economies?
- How were cats and dogs domesticated and for what purposes?
- What do historians know about ninjas?
- How has the music industry been affected by the internet and digital downloading?
- What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden?
- What was the women’s suffrage movement and how did it change America?
- What efforts are being taken to protect endangered wildlife?
- How much does the war on drugs cost Americans each year?
- How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
- Are humans still evolving?
- What technologies are available to home owners to help them conserve energy?
- How have oil spills affected the planet and what steps are being taken to prevent them?
- What was the Magna Carta and how did it change England?
- What is the curse of the pharaohs?
- Why was Socrates executed?
- What nonlethal weapons are used by police to subdue rioters?
- How does the prison population in America compare to other nations?
- How did ancient sailors navigate the globe?
- Can gamblers ever acquire a statistical advantage over the house in casino games?
- What is alchemy and how has it been attempted?
- How are black holes formed?
- How was the assassination of Abraham Lincoln plotted and executed?
- Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
- How do submarines work?
- Do lie detector tests accurately determine truthful statements?
- How did Cold War tension affect the US and the world?
- What happened to the lost settlers at Roanoke?
- How does a hybrid car save energy?
- What ingredients can be found inside of a hotdog?
- How did Julius Caesar affect Rome?
- What are some common sleep disorders and how are they treated?
- How did the Freedom Riders change society?
- How is internet censorship used in China and around the world?
- What was the code of the Bushido and how did it affect samurai warriors?
- What are the risks of artificial tanning or prolonged exposure to the sun?
- What programs are available to help war veterans get back into society?
- What steps are involved in creating a movie or television show?
- How have the film and music industries dealt with piracy?
- How did Joan of Arc change history?
- What responsibilities do secret service agents have?
- How does a shark hunt?
- What dangers and hardships did Lewis and Clark face when exploring the Midwest?
- Has the Patriot Act prevented or stopped terrorist acts in America?
- Do states that allow citizens to carry guns have higher or lower crime rates?
- How are the Great Depression and the Great Recession similar and different?
- What are the dangers of scuba diving and underwater exploration?
- How does the human brain store and retrieve memories?
- What was the Manhattan Project and what impact did it have on the world?
- How does stealth technology shield aircraft from radar?
- What causes tornadoes?
- Why did Martin Luther protest against the Catholic Church?
- How does a search engine work?
- What are the current capabilities and future goals of genetic engineers?
- How did the Roman Empire fall?
- What obstacles faced scientists in breaking the sound barrier?
- How did the black plague affect Europe?
- What happened to Amelia Earhart?
- What are the dangers and hazards of using nuclear power?
- How did Genghis Khan conquer Persia?
- What architectural marvels were found in Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire?
- From where does spam email come and can we stop it?
- How does night vision work?
- How did journalists influence US war efforts in Vietnam?
- What are the benefits and hazards of medical marijuana?
- What causes desert mirages and how do they affect wanderers?
- What was the cultural significance of the first moon landing?
- What are sinkholes and how are they formed?
- Have any psychics ever solved crimes or prevented them from occurring?
- Who is Vlad the Impaler and what is his connection to Count Dracula?
- What are the risks of climate change and global warming?
- What treatments are available to people infected with HIV and are they effective?
- Who was a greater inventor, Leonardo di Vinci or Thomas Edison?
- How are the Chinese and American economies similar and different?
- Why was communism unsuccessful in so many countries?
- In what ways do video games affect children and teenagers?
I hope this list will help you choose a topic for your research paper. Remember that these ideas should be used as a starting point; you will have to make these topics your own during the writing and research process. Don’t be afraid to alter and revise your thesis or research question to better match your interests or to align with your research. Would you like to suggest a research paper topic?  Leave it in the comments below.
Looking For More Resources?
Persuasive Essay Topics
Narrative Essay Topics and Story Ideas
School Project Ideas
All Reading Worksheets
ksev
/ July 19, 2023I like using this website when I assist kids with learning as a lot of these topics are quickly covered in the school systems.
Thankyou
Mackenah Nicole Molina
/ November 3, 2020Wow! I always have trouble deiciding what to do a research project on but this list has totally solved that. Now my only problem is choosing what idea on this list I should do first!
Emma
/ October 23, 2020Most of these my teacher rejected because apparently ‘these aren’t grade level topics, and I doubt they interest you”
Mr. Morton
/ December 7, 2020I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you will have a potentially valuable character-building experience in the short-term.
Edwin Augusto Galindo Cuba
/ August 28, 2020THIS SITE IS AWESOME, THERE ARE LOTS OF TOPICS TO LEARN AND MASTER OUR SKILLS!
research kid
/ June 27, 2020I need one about animals, please. I have been challenged to a animal research project, Due Friday. I have no clue what to research! somebody help, thanks for reading!
Anonymous
/ November 26, 2020You can do one on bats
Roxy
/ June 15, 2020For international studies you can do Defense and Security.
Shaylee
/ April 29, 2020This was very helpful.
Jeff
/ July 16, 2019Research on Ben Franklin? I think THAT will get a real charge out of everyone (hehehehegetit)
Mandy Maher
/ May 19, 2019“Is it possible to colonize Mars?”
maddy burney
/ March 25, 2019these are silly topics
ari
/ February 27, 2019thx for making this real.
#gamerboi
/ January 8, 2019more gaming questions!!!!!!
lolzer
/ October 4, 2018Is it still considered stealing if you don’t get caught?
Kyra
/ March 12, 2019Yes, yes it is still considered stealing.
Memey Boi
/ September 16, 2018I need topics on memes
Mary Nnamani
/ September 16, 2018Please I need project topics on Language Literature
Marcella Vallarino
/ August 6, 2018I would appreciate a list of survey questions for middle school grades 6-8
Benicia
/ June 28, 2018I need a research topics about public sector management
OLADAPO
/ June 8, 2018I NEED FIVE EXAMPLES EACH ON QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH (EDUCATION, HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY AND ENGINEERING)
KMS
/ May 16, 2018publish research that are interesting please……
brandon
/ May 1, 2018hey can you do one on the burmiueda triangle
Gunnar
/ April 26, 2018Anybody know video games effect kids,and,teens. There Fun!!
tega
/ February 26, 2019they’re
GGlove
/ April 9, 2018I need a topic about woman history if any of u can find 1 please that would be great!
allie
/ June 27, 2020You could research about the history of the astronauts, and of human past (WWI, WWII, etc.)
allie
/ June 27, 2020so about women? Manitoba Women Win the Right to Vote in Municipal Elections, The First Women, January 23, 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to graduate from medical school and become a doctor in the United States, Rosa Parks Civil Rights Equal Pay. I have way more. so if you need more just ask.
cameron
/ April 4, 2018communism is good
Frankie
/ April 20, 2020what are you a communist?!?!
Jim
/ March 27, 2018Did FDR know about the upcoming attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 DEC 1941.
hipster
/ March 26, 2018do you know how babies are born
Christine Singu
/ March 21, 2018kindly assist with a research topic in the field of accounting or auditing
me
/ February 28, 2018need more about US army
Jonas
/ February 21, 2018Please can yiu give me a topic in education
David
/ February 12, 2018I think one should be how can music/Video games can affect the life for people
David
/ February 13, 2018or How Do Video Games Affect Teenagers?
zimbabwe leader
/ November 29, 2017I think a good topic is supporting the confederate flag!
diane
/ September 10, 2018big oof
reubeez
/ October 4, 2017Need a research topic within the context of students union government and dues payments
bob
/ September 18, 2017do more weird ones plz
joyce alcantara
/ September 12, 2017Hi pls po can you give me a topic relate for humanities pls thank u.