Choosing a topic for your research essay, Bachelor's or Master's thesis can be difficult. There is a wide world of knowledge and topics already available that might catch your interest. Narrowing down topics takes some time, and everyone has a different approach. Here are a few brainstorming and idea-generating techniques you can use to help you find your research topic.

A lot of your ideas will not be used, but by brainstorming, you make sure that you choose the best idea from all of the ideas you generate.

Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a technique where you take a core topic or idea, and generate ideas and topics that are connected to that core. Each new branch of the mind map may lead you in a new direction, and narrow your research topic down to something more specific and interesting for you. Mind maps can also be useful once you choose your topic because you can see how your specific idea connects to the bigger topic.

Using a computer program (SmartArt in PowerPoint or Word is useful), or by drawing on a piece of paper, a mind map will visualize your ideas and make connections between them.

* Image credit: Nicoguaro. (06.07.2011). Mind map of the mind map guidelines. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MindMapGuidlines.svg

Free Writing
Set a timer for yourself. Use 5 or 10 minutes. Write down ideas that come to your mind in full sentences. These sentences do not need to be grammatically correct or logically structured. Free writing allows you to let ideas flow from your mind onto your paper. Some of these ideas that you write down may become clearer after you have stopped writing. You can then do another free writing session on that specific topic.

Write based on your own ideas and interests. This includes what you already know. Maybe you want to write down a question that you have. Maybe you want to write about your personal feelings on a topic. You might want to write about why this topic interests you and what you hope to achieve by writing on this topic.

Here are a few extra tips:
- Just write. Don't criticize your thoughts.
- If you get stuck, keep writing the same word over and over until a new idea comes into your mind.
- Use paper and a pen. It is too easy to delete ideas on a computer, but on paper, the ideas will be more present.
- Take a break from writing. Review what you wrote with a fresh mind and try another writing session.
- Take ideas from your first free writing session free write about them the generate new, and better ideas.

Critical Reading and Writing
Start by reading about a topic you are interested in learning more about. This could be from a Wikipedia page, a scientific article, a book, a news article, or anything else. While reading these sources, ask critical questions about the material and see what ideas you generate by asking, and trying to answer these questions.

Use a notepad or computer when reading, or print off the text and write, underline, highlight and scribble on the paper. You may find that some of your questions may lead you towards a more specific research topic.

* Image credit: With Associates. (01.02.2011). The review part 8. Retrieved from https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5015/5407324839_c61a132788_b.jpg

Try asking:
- What is missing?
- What is the author attempting to do with this information?
- How does the author express the topic's importance?
- What do I want to learn more about?
- Do I agree or disagree? Why?

Right Braining/Doodling

Image source: Pixabay. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/draw-paint-hand-drawing-art-2303845/

Some people are more artistically creative. If you draw in the margins of your notebook or make sketches on scrap paper while in lectures, you may find this technique useful.

Think about a general topic. Write it down on your paper and start drawing ideas that come to mind about your topic. See if new ideas emerge while you are drawing. Write down key words or show connections that emerge while you are drawing. It is important to write down the big idea that comes to you, so you do not forget it.

Once you have a few images, try drawing them together. Make connections between your images and try to overlap those ideas. This may create a new idea that you find interesting to research on.

Build Up, Break Down
This brainstorming approach works in two directions: building up specific ideas to a larger, more general whole, and breaking down big, general ideas into more specific parts. You can choose where you want to start.

If you start with a very specific idea, try to write down all the small elements of the idea and see if they build into a larger, cohesive topic. Do these ideas connect to a specific topic you are learning about? Are all your ideas connected to your first idea, and do they all support movement towards a single, large idea? How do all your pieces fit together?

If you start with a large idea, break it down into smaller pieces. What are the different, smaller pieces that make up the larger topic? What specifically are you interested in about the larger idea? Can these more narrow, smaller and more specific ideas become suitable topics for research?

Talking to Others
Speak with your friends, classmates and even professors about ideas that interest you. Sometimes, hearing what another person is doing can spark a great idea in your head. Other times, people can provide you with guidance and insight that will strengthen your topic choice.

A few things to do when talking to others:
- Ask people what they are writing about, and why they are writing about that topic.
- Ask your professor if an idea you have is suitable to write about.
- Explain an idea you have to someone and see if they understand your purpose (why you are writing about it).
- Accept feedback and criticism from others. Your first ideas may not be new, creative or very good, but criticism can help you create a better topic.

Note Taking/Listing
For many students, the problem is not coming up with a topic. Instead, it is choosing between several potentially good topics. Make a short list of the different ideas you have. Write them down, in bullet point, on paper or on a computer. Add a few, small bits of information to each idea. Remember, it is okay to write down questions you have as well, not only ideas.

Ask yourself:
- Are these ideas connected in any way or are they different from each other?
- Why would I want to write about each of these topics?

Do some reading on these topics. This will help you realize which topics are most achievable to research, and which topics will be either too difficult to research, or have already been thoroughly researched. Try to make your topic choice an original one, instead of writing on a topic that has already been completely researched. As you do your reading, add notes to your list to make each topic more complete. Choose the one you feel will be most interesting and compelling.

What to do when you cannot think of a topic
Think harder
Choosing a topic is not impossible, but it does take some serious thought. Do not give up after 5 minutes. It might take you a few days or even weeks to come up with the perfect idea.

Try a different approach, or combine approaches
Not every brainstorming approach will produce the same ideas. Try new ones. Try using two or more approaches. See what happens.

Write down ideas when they come
The 'Eureka!' moment can happen at any time. Do not let it escape by convincing yourself that you will remember it. You won't, so WRITE IT DOWN! You might be eating breakfast, or watching a movie, or out on a walk. If a bright idea comes to mind, write it down immediately. You can carry a notepad, use a voice memo on your phone, or make a written memo on any mobile device. It has never been easier to capture those genius moments when they happen!

Visit the Writing Centre
Writing Advisors are students, just like you. We know how difficult it can be to brainstorm the perfect topic or idea. Book an appointment and come speak with us. Writing Advisors can get you started on the process. You probably have more good ideas than you even know, and we will help you bring them out.