loss of rain forests
air pollution
violent weather events
If the chart is too formal for you, you might like making a mindmap or concept map. A whiteboard or a big piece of paper are all you need to make a mindmap. Here's the same idea as above, but in a mindmap:
The secret to mindmapping is to free yourself from rules. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or formatting. Just jot down ideas until you can't think of anymore, then go back and make connections between the ideas. If an idea appeals to you, make it the center idea on a new piece of paper and brainstorm more details.
Dig into your topic to find the question
Once you've narrowed your topic to something workable, you need to restate it as a question. A question requires an answer, and research is all about the search for answers.
Here's an example:
Broad Topic
global warming
Focused Topic
global warming and world health
Possible Research Questions
How will changes in climate increase health risks for people worldwide?
What should the U.S. government do to prepare for an increase in climate-related diseases?
What is the role of the World Health Organization in response to increasing diseases?
Once you have a research question, break it into even smaller questions:
How will changes in the world climate increase health risks for people worldwide?
You can see that research is basically a quest to find answers to the questions you are asking!
Here is the same activity as above, using the "sticky note" technique:
As you move through the research process, exploring sources and gathering information to learn about your topic, you may discover that your topic will change. You may need to refine or refocus your question based on the amount of information you are able to find.
Don't be shy about asking for help. If you are having trouble deciding on a topic or focusing your topic, talk to your professor or ask a reference librarian for help.
facebook twitter blog youtube maps
Try browsing these sources to get topic ideas: .
Choosing a topic.
For your assignment, you may be given a broad topic. In some courses, you will be asked to come up with your own topic.
Read course readings, slides, and lecture notes and see if anything stood out as particularly interesting
Do some pre-research reading. See if you can find additional information on your potential topic using the internet, books, or articles.
Think about what issues matter to you. Look at the news. Are there any current events you are interested in incorporating into your research paper?
Is there an issue you've discussed in class you'd like to learn more about?
Do you have strong opinions on a controversy or event that would be worth exploring more?
The first topic you choose might not be the one you write about for your paper. That's OK! Before you get locked into a topic, make sure to spend a bit of time testing it. This means searching for sources on your topic to make sure enough has been written about it. To learn more, watch the video below by NCSU Libraries.
See the Searching with Keywords and Finding Articles pages of this guide for tips on finding sources as you test out your topic.
Narrowing a topic.
Once you have selected a topic to focus on or have been given a topic, you will need to focus your topic.
For a short paper of 1000-2500 words, you will need to choose a narrow topic.
You topic is too broad if:
You find dozens of books on it
It's difficult to write a thesis statement
You can't squeeze everything you want to discuss into the word limit
For example, perhaps your broad topic is the effects of racial profiling. Brainstorm:
Who : Black men, First Nations, Muslims
What effects or aspect of your topic are you interested in? Ex: employment, self-esteem, education, incarceration
Where: United States? Canada? India?
When: Present time, historical perspective, 1990s?
By selecting from the above, we could narrow our topic of "racial profiling" to a more specific research question. For example:
What are the effects racial profiling has on the employment of black men in the United States?
What are the effects racial profiling has on the incarceration rates of First Nations individuals in Canada?
Interesting research questions ask why or how, rather than what. We can easily turn our questions into why or how questions. For example:
How does racial profiling effect the employment opportunities of black men in the United States?
How do you decide what to write about when confronted with a research paper? You want a focused topic!
Here are some things to consider:
Here's one strategy for developing a research topic once you have a broad topic in mind:
The topic development process will help you to develop your thesis , which is essentially your proposed answer to your research question. You will then be ready to use the sources you've found, and find more sources in order to support that thesis, or to answer your research question.
Here's an example of how the topic development process above can lead you to a thesis:
Resources that can help you develop your topic:
Check out this video from NCSU Libraries:
Was this helpful? Yes 405 No 117
Related topics, chat with a librarian:.
by Antony W
June 6, 2024
Learning how to select a research topic can be the difference between failing your assignment and writing a comprehensive research paper. That’s why in this guide we’ll teach you how to select a research topic step-by-step.
You don’t need this guide if your professor has already given you a list of topics to consider for your assignment . You can skip to our guide on how to write a research paper .
If they have left it up to you to choose a topic to investigate, which they must approve before you start working on your research study, we suggest that you read the process shared in this post.
Choosing a topic after finding your research problem is important because:
Picking a topic for a research paper can be challenging and sometimes intimidating, but it’s not impossible. In the following section, we show you how to choose the best research topic that your instructor can approve after the first review.
Below are four steps to follow to find the most suitable topic for your research paper assignment:
If your professor has asked you to choose a topic for your research paper, it means you can choose just about any subject to focus on in your area of study. A significant first step to take is to consider topics that interest you.
An interesting topic should meet two very important conditions.
First, it should be concise. The topic you choose should not be too broad or two narrow. Rather, it should be something focused on a specific issue. Second, the topic should allow you to find enough sources to cite in the research stage of your assignment.
The best way to determine if the research topic is interesting is to do some free writing for about 10 minutes. As you free write, think about the number of questions that people ask about the topic and try to consider why they’re important. These questions are important because they will make the research stage easier for you.
You’ll probably have a long list of interesting topics to consider for your research assignment. That’s a good first step because it means your options aren’t limited. However, you need to narrow down to only one topic for the assignment, so it’s time to start brainstorming.
You aren’t doing research at this stage yet. You are only trying to make considerations to determine which topic will suit your research assignment.
The brainstorming stage isn’t difficult at all. It should take only a couple of hours or a few days depending on how you approach.
We recommend talking to your professor, classmates, and friends about the topics that you’ve picked and ask for their opinion. Expect mixed opinions from this audience and then consider the topics that make the most sense. Note what topics picked their interest the most and put them on top of the list.
You’ll end up removing some topics from your initial list after brainstorming, and that’s completely fine. The goal here is to end up with a topic that interests you as well as your readers.
Check once again to make sure that your topic is a subject that you can easily define. You want to make sure the topic isn’t too broad or too narrow.
Often, a broad topic presents overwhelming amount of information, which makes it difficult to write a comprehensive research paper. A narrow topic, on the other hand, means you’ll find very little information, and therefore it can be difficult to do your assignment.
The length of the research paper, as stated in the assignment brief, should guide your topic selection.
Narrow down your list to topics that are:
Topics that meet these two conditions should be easy to work on as they easily fit within the constraints of the research assignment.
You probably have two or three topics by the time you get to this step. Now it’s time to read the background information on the topics to decide which topic to work on.
This step is important because it gives you a clear overview of the topic, enabling you to see how it relates to broader, narrower, and related concepts. Preliminary research also helps you to find keywords commonly used to describe the topic, which may be useful in further research.
It’s important to note how easy or difficult it is to find information on the topic.
Look at different sources of information to be sure you can find enough references for the topic. Such periodic indexes scan journals, newspaper articles, and magazines to find the information you’re looking for. You can even use web search engines. Google and Bing are currently that best options to consider because they make it easy for searchers to find relevant information on scholarly topics.
If you’re having a hard time to find references for a topic that you’ve so far considered for your research paper, skip it and go to the next one. Doing so will go a long way to ensure you have the right topic to work on from start to finish.
If you’ve found your research topic but you feel so stuck that you can’t proceed with the assignment without some assistance, we are here to help. With our research paper writing service , we can help you handle the assignment within the shortest time possible.
We will research your topic, develop a research question, outline the project, and help you with writing. We also get you involved in the process, allowing you to track the progress of your order until the delivery stage.
About the author
Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.
Tip: keywords.
Keywords are the main terms that describe your research question or topic. Keep track of these words so you can use them when searching for books and articles.
Click through the tabs to learn the basics, find examples, and watch video tutorials.
This guide supports academic and business writing, including a basic review of grammar fundamentals, writing guides, video tutorials on business writing, and resources for the TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE exams.
Topic selection.
Choosing your topic is the first step in the research process. Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate information.
For help getting started on the writing process go to the GGU Online Writing Lab (Writing tutor) where you can set up and appointment with a writing tutor.
#1 Research ti p: Pick a topic that interests you. You are going to live with this topic for weeks while you research, read, and write your assignment. Choose something that will hold your interest and that you might even be excited about. Your attitude towards your topic will come across in your writing or presentation!
Brainstorming is a technique you can use to help you generate ideas. Below are brainstorming exercises and resources to help you come up with research topic ideas.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you generate topic ideas:.
Topic ideas.
Try the resources below to help you get ideas for possible research topics:
Read an encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates to broader, narrower, and related issues. If you cant find an article on your topic, ask a librarian for help.
Email questions to [email protected] .
Available during normal business hours.
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The Most Important Thing of All:
Your philosophy professor wants to see you...
3. Before you ask your professor for ideas for a topic and resources...
4. What to Keep in Mind as You're Researching:
5. Keep in mind your ultimate goal: you're trying to find something to argue for. It could be:
There are probably lots of different ways of developing a philosophy thesis, but probably most of them are going to be some variety of the ones just mentioned. Here's An Example. Suppose you discover this article: Scott MacDonald, "Peter Larceny, the Beginning of All Sin: Augustine's Theft of the Pears," Faith and Philosophy 20.4 (2003): 393–414. And you find that MacDonald relies a lot in the "Petit Larceny" article on another article of his called "Primal Sin." You read that one too. And you think: "Ok self, MacDonald has a pretty plausible interpretation of what's going on in Augustine, especially with regard to Confessions book two and the closely related stuff in City of God book 12. But I don't find MacDonald's version of Augustine very satisfying philosophically, because it leaves a giant unexplained mystery at the heart of human sinfulness, namely why anyone would go for the sort of 'prideful self-assertion' that MacDonald takes to be the primary motive Augustine identifies." So you decide: "This is what I'm going to argue: MacDonald is right about how to interpret Augustine, but Augustine's ideas about his own sinfulness are unsatisfactory/fundamentally flawed." Congratulations! You now have your thesis. 6. How to Put Your Paper Together
You now go to put your paper together, and at this stage, organization is key. You're probably going to want to divide your paper into multiple sections. In this case, you decide on three sections:
In the third section, obviously, you'll be considering an objection against your main argument/thesis and responding to it. Make sure you tell your prof in the opening paragraph (or two) of your paper what your thesis is, and what the layout of your paper is (i.e., what the sections are, and briefly what you're doing in each of them). Hopefully you've taken notes well, and you'll have no trouble inserting lots of relevant references both to MacDonald's papers and other supporting secondary literature that you've found, along with lots of references to Augustine's own texts. Make sure you're citing all of this adequately!
A research paper is not simply a summary of a topic using sources. It is not a book report or an essay. With a research paper, you need to investigate and evaluate sources with the intention of offering an interpretation of the source material in the context of the overall topic. In short, you use your source material and your own insights to prove your point.
College research assignments have your ask a question, to read widely in search of possible answers, to interpret what you read, to draw reasoned conclusions and to support those conclusions with valid and well-documented evidence (Hacker, 2009, p. 92). Thus, a research paper at the college level is a time-consuming, sometimes difficult, writing endeavor.
Here are additional resources for writing a research paper:
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Research is a fascinating journey into the unknown, a quest for answers, and a process of discovery. Whether you’re an academic, a student, or just a curious mind, finding the right and interesting topics to research is paramount. Not only does it determine the success of your research project, but it can also make the experience enjoyable.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the art of selecting interesting topics to research, particularly catering to the average reader.
18+ Stunning For Students In 2023 |
Table of Contents
Choosing a research topic is like setting sail on a ship. It’s a decision that will dictate your course, so you must make it wisely. Here are some effective strategies to help you pick a captivating topic:
Research topics come in various flavors. Let’s explore some popular categories, which are often engaging for average readers:
Once you’ve chosen the interesting topics to research, you’ll need effective techniques to delve deeper into it:
Once you’ve conducted your research, it’s essential to present it in a way that captures the interest of your average reader:
1. Clear and Accessible Language
Avoid jargon and complex terminology. Use simple and straightforward language to ensure your research is accessible to a wide audience.
2. Storytelling and Anecdotes
Weave stories and anecdotes into your research to make it relatable and engaging. Personal narratives and real-life examples can resonate with readers.
3. Visual Aids (Images, Infographics)
Incorporate visuals like images, charts, and infographics to make your research visually appealing and easier to understand.
4. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies
Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the practical applications of your research findings. This makes the information tangible and relevant.
5. Relatable Examples from Popular Culture
Relate your research to pop culture, current events, or everyday experiences. This helps readers connect with the material on a personal level.
To provide some inspiration, let’s explore a few intriguing research topics:
Examine the relationship between social media use and mental health, including topics like social comparison, cyberbullying, and the benefits of online support networks.
Research the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar power, wind energy, and the feasibility of a global transition to sustainable energy sources.
Delve into the historical struggles and milestones of the women’s suffrage movement, both in the United States and around the world.
Investigate the applications of AI in healthcare, from diagnosis algorithms to patient data analysis and the ethical implications of AI in medical practice.
Examine business sustainability practices , exploring how companies can balance profit and environmental responsibility in an increasingly eco-conscious world.
While you are looking for interesting topics to research, it’s important to be aware of the challenges:
Research is a gateway to knowledge, innovation, and solutions. Choosing interesting topics to research is the first step in this exciting journey. Whether you’re exploring the depths of science, the intricacies of culture, or the dynamics of business, there’s a captivating research topic waiting for you.
So, start your exploration, share your discoveries, and keep the flame of curiosity alive. The world is waiting to learn from your research.
Last updated
25 November 2023
Reviewed by
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L
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Medical research is the gateway to improved patient care and expanding our available treatment options. However, finding a relevant and compelling research topic can be challenging.
Use this article as a jumping-off point to select an interesting medical research topic for your next paper or clinical study.
When choosing a research topic , it’s essential to consider a couple of things. What topics interest you? What unanswered questions do you want to address?
During the decision-making and brainstorming process, here are a few helpful tips to help you pick the right medical research topic:
The best medical research is specific to a particular area. Generalized studies are often too broad to produce meaningful results, so we advise picking a specific niche early in the process.
Maybe a certain topic interests you, or your industry knowledge reveals areas of need.
Once you’ve chosen your research field, do some preliminary research. What have other academics done in their papers and projects?
From this list, you can focus on specific topics that interest you without accidentally creating a copycat project. This groundwork will also help you uncover any literature gaps—those may be beneficial areas for research.
Now you can get curious. Ask questions that start with why, how, or what. These questions are the starting point of your project design and will act as your guiding light throughout the process.
For example:
What impact does pollution have on children’s lung function in inner-city neighborhoods?
Why is pollution-based asthma on the rise?
How can we address pollution-induced asthma in young children?
Need some research inspiration for your upcoming paper or clinical study? We’ve compiled a list of 77 topical and in-demand medical research ideas. Let’s take a look.
If you want to study cutting-edge topics, here are some exciting options:
Since 2020, COVID-19 has been a hot-button topic in medicine, along with the long-term symptoms in those with a history of COVID-19.
Examples of COVID-19-related research topics worth exploring include:
The long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac and respiratory health
COVID-19 vaccination rates
The evolution of COVID-19 symptoms over time
New variants and strains of the COVID-19 virus
Changes in social behavior and public health regulations amid COVID-19
Finding ways to cure or reduce the disease burden of chronic infectious diseases is a crucial research area. Vaccination is a powerful option and a great topic to research.
Examples of vaccination-related research topics include:
mRNA vaccines for viral infections
Biomaterial vaccination capabilities
Vaccination rates based on location, ethnicity, or age
Public opinion about vaccination safety
With the need for donor organs increasing, finding ways to fabricate artificial bioactive tissues (and possibly organs) is a popular research area.
Examples of artificial tissue-related research topics you can study include:
The viability of artificially printed tissues
Tissue substrate and building block material studies
The ethics and efficacy of artificial tissue creation
For many medical students, research is a big driver for entering healthcare. If you’re a medical student looking for a research topic, here are some great ideas to work from:
Poor sleep quality is a growing problem, and it can significantly impact a person’s overall health.
Examples of sleep disorder-related research topics include:
How stress affects sleep quality
The prevalence and impact of insomnia on patients with mental health conditions
Possible triggers for sleep disorder development
The impact of poor sleep quality on psychological and physical health
How melatonin supplements impact sleep quality
Cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise worldwide. They currently have no cure. As a result, research about these topics is in high demand.
Examples of dementia-related research topics you could explore include:
The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in a chosen population
Early onset symptoms of dementia
Possible triggers or causes of cognitive decline with age
Treatment options for dementia-like conditions
The mental and physical burden of caregiving for patients with dementia
Modern lifestyles have profoundly impacted the average person’s daily habits, and plenty of interesting topics explore its effects.
Examples of lifestyle and public health-related research topics include:
The nutritional intake of college students
The impact of chronic work stress on overall health
The rise of upper back and neck pain from laptop use
Prevalence and cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
Medical research is a hotbed of controversial topics, content, and areas of study.
If you want to explore a more niche (and attention-grabbing) concept, here are some controversial medical research topics worth looking into:
Depending on where you live, the legalization and use of cannabis for medical conditions is controversial for the general public and healthcare providers.
Examples of medical cannabis-related research topics that might grab your attention include:
The legalization process of medical cannabis
The impact of cannabis use on developmental milestones in youth users
Cannabis and mental health diagnoses
CBD’s impact on chronic pain
Prevalence of cannabis use in young people
The impact of maternal cannabis use on fetal development
Understanding how THC impacts cognitive function
The Human Genome Project identified, mapped, and sequenced all human DNA genes. Its completion in 2003 opened up a world of exciting and controversial studies in human genetics.
Examples of human genetics-related research topics worth delving into include:
Medical genetics and the incidence of genetic-based health disorders
Behavioral genetics differences between identical twins
Genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders
Machine learning technologies for genetic research
Human sexuality and sexual health are important (yet often stigmatized) medical topics that need new research and analysis.
As a diverse field ranging from sexual orientation studies to sexual pathophysiology, examples of sexual health-related research topics include:
The incidence of sexually transmitted infections within a chosen population
Mental health conditions within the LGBTQIA+ community
The impact of untreated sexually transmitted infections
Access to safe sex resources (condoms, dental dams, etc.) in rural areas
Human wellness and health are trendy topics in modern medicine as more people are interested in finding natural ways to live healthier lifestyles.
If this field of study interests you, here are some big topics in the wellness space:
Gluten allergies and intolerances have risen over the past few decades. If you’re interested in exploring this topic, your options range in severity from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to full-blown anaphylaxis.
Some examples of gluten sensitivity-related research topics include:
The pathophysiology and incidence of Celiac disease
Early onset symptoms of gluten intolerance
The prevalence of gluten allergies within a set population
Gluten allergies and the incidence of other gastrointestinal health conditions
Living in large urban cities means regular exposure to high levels of pollutants.
As more people become interested in protecting their lung health, examples of impactful lung health and pollution-related research topics include:
The extent of pollution in densely packed urban areas
The prevalence of pollution-based asthma in a set population
Lung capacity and function in young people
The benefits and risks of steroid therapy for asthma
Pollution risks based on geographical location
Plant-based diets like vegan and paleo diets are emerging trends in healthcare due to their limited supporting research.
If you’re interested in learning more about the potential benefits or risks of holistic, diet-based medicine, examples of plant-based diet research topics to explore include:
Vegan and plant-based diets as part of disease management
Potential risks and benefits of specific plant-based diets
Plant-based diets and their impact on body mass index
The effect of diet and lifestyle on chronic disease management
Supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry. Many health-conscious people take supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbal medicine, and more.
Examples of health supplement-related research topics worth investigating include:
Omega-3 fish oil safety and efficacy for cardiac patients
The benefits and risks of regular vitamin D supplementation
Health supplementation regulation and product quality
The impact of social influencer marketing on consumer supplement practices
Analyzing added ingredients in protein powders
Working within the healthcare industry means you have insider knowledge and opportunity. Maybe you’d like to research the overall system, administration, and inherent biases that disrupt access to quality care.
While these topics are essential to explore, it is important to note that these studies usually require approval and oversight from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This ensures the study is ethical and does not harm any subjects.
For this reason, the IRB sets protocols that require additional planning, so consider this when mapping out your study’s timeline.
Here are some examples of trending healthcare research areas worth pursuing:
The rise of electronic healthcare charting and records has forever changed how medical professionals and patients interact with their health data.
Examples of electronic health record-related research topics include:
The number of medication errors reported during a software switch
Nurse sentiment analysis of electronic charting practices
Ethical and legal studies into encrypting and storing personal health data
Many barriers inhibit people from accessing the quality medical care they need. These issues result in health disparities and injustices.
Examples of research topics about health inequities include:
The impact of social determinants of health in a set population
Early and late-stage cancer stage diagnosis in urban vs. rural populations
Affordability of life-saving medications
Health insurance limitations and their impact on overall health
People who belong to an ethnic minority are more likely to experience barriers and restrictions when trying to receive quality medical care. This is due to systemic healthcare racism and bias.
As a result, diagnostic and treatment rates in minority populations are a hot-button field of research. Examples of ethnicity-based research topics include:
Cancer biopsy rates in BIPOC women
The prevalence of diabetes in Indigenous communities
Access inequalities in women’s health preventative screenings
The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in Black populations
Large pharmaceutical companies are incredibly interested in investing in research to learn more about potential cures and treatments for diseases.
If you’re interested in building a career in pharmaceutical research, here are a few examples of in-demand research topics:
Clinical research is in high demand as pharmaceutical companies explore novel cancer treatment options outside of chemotherapy and radiation.
Examples of cancer treatment-related research topics include:
Stem cell therapy for cancer
Oncogenic gene dysregulation and its impact on disease
Cancer-causing viral agents and their risks
Treatment efficacy based on early vs. late-stage cancer diagnosis
Cancer vaccines and targeted therapies
Immunotherapy for cancer
Historically, opioid medications were the primary treatment for short- and long-term pain. But, with the opioid epidemic getting worse, the need for alternative pain medications has never been more urgent.
Examples of pain medication-related research topics include:
Opioid withdrawal symptoms and risks
Early signs of pain medication misuse
Anti-inflammatory medications for pain control
Are you interested in contributing life-changing research? Today’s medical research is part of the future of clinical patient care.
As your go-to resource for speedy and accurate data analysis , we are proud to partner with healthcare researchers to innovate and improve the future of healthcare.
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The latest annual McKinsey Global Survey on the current state of AI confirms the explosive growth of generative AI (gen AI) tools . Less than a year after many of these tools debuted, one-third of our survey respondents say their organizations are using gen AI regularly in at least one business function. Amid recent advances, AI has risen from a topic relegated to tech employees to a focus of company leaders: nearly one-quarter of surveyed C-suite executives say they are personally using gen AI tools for work, and more than one-quarter of respondents from companies using AI say gen AI is already on their boards’ agendas. What’s more, 40 percent of respondents say their organizations will increase their investment in AI overall because of advances in gen AI. The findings show that these are still early days for managing gen AI–related risks, with less than half of respondents saying their organizations are mitigating even the risk they consider most relevant: inaccuracy.
The organizations that have already embedded AI capabilities have been the first to explore gen AI’s potential, and those seeing the most value from more traditional AI capabilities—a group we call AI high performers—are already outpacing others in their adoption of gen AI tools. 1 We define AI high performers as organizations that, according to respondents, attribute at least 20 percent of their EBIT to AI adoption.
The expected business disruption from gen AI is significant, and respondents predict meaningful changes to their workforces. They anticipate workforce cuts in certain areas and large reskilling efforts to address shifting talent needs. Yet while the use of gen AI might spur the adoption of other AI tools, we see few meaningful increases in organizations’ adoption of these technologies. The percent of organizations adopting any AI tools has held steady since 2022, and adoption remains concentrated within a small number of business functions.
1. it’s early days still, but use of gen ai is already widespread.
The findings from the survey—which was in the field in mid-April 2023—show that, despite gen AI’s nascent public availability, experimentation with the tools is already relatively common, and respondents expect the new capabilities to transform their industries. Gen AI has captured interest across the business population: individuals across regions, industries, and seniority levels are using gen AI for work and outside of work. Seventy-nine percent of all respondents say they’ve had at least some exposure to gen AI, either for work or outside of work, and 22 percent say they are regularly using it in their own work. While reported use is quite similar across seniority levels, it is highest among respondents working in the technology sector and those in North America.
Organizations, too, are now commonly using gen AI. One-third of all respondents say their organizations are already regularly using generative AI in at least one function—meaning that 60 percent of organizations with reported AI adoption are using gen AI. What’s more, 40 percent of those reporting AI adoption at their organizations say their companies expect to invest more in AI overall thanks to generative AI, and 28 percent say generative AI use is already on their board’s agenda. The most commonly reported business functions using these newer tools are the same as those in which AI use is most common overall: marketing and sales, product and service development, and service operations, such as customer care and back-office support. This suggests that organizations are pursuing these new tools where the most value is. In our previous research , these three areas, along with software engineering, showed the potential to deliver about 75 percent of the total annual value from generative AI use cases.
In these early days, expectations for gen AI’s impact are high : three-quarters of all respondents expect gen AI to cause significant or disruptive change in the nature of their industry’s competition in the next three years. Survey respondents working in the technology and financial-services industries are the most likely to expect disruptive change from gen AI. Our previous research shows that, while all industries are indeed likely to see some degree of disruption, the level of impact is likely to vary. 2 “ The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier ,” McKinsey, June 14, 2023. Industries relying most heavily on knowledge work are likely to see more disruption—and potentially reap more value. While our estimates suggest that tech companies, unsurprisingly, are poised to see the highest impact from gen AI—adding value equivalent to as much as 9 percent of global industry revenue—knowledge-based industries such as banking (up to 5 percent), pharmaceuticals and medical products (also up to 5 percent), and education (up to 4 percent) could experience significant effects as well. By contrast, manufacturing-based industries, such as aerospace, automotives, and advanced electronics, could experience less disruptive effects. This stands in contrast to the impact of previous technology waves that affected manufacturing the most and is due to gen AI’s strengths in language-based activities, as opposed to those requiring physical labor.
According to the survey, few companies seem fully prepared for the widespread use of gen AI—or the business risks these tools may bring. Just 21 percent of respondents reporting AI adoption say their organizations have established policies governing employees’ use of gen AI technologies in their work. And when we asked specifically about the risks of adopting gen AI, few respondents say their companies are mitigating the most commonly cited risk with gen AI: inaccuracy. Respondents cite inaccuracy more frequently than both cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, which were the most common risks from AI overall in previous surveys. Just 32 percent say they’re mitigating inaccuracy, a smaller percentage than the 38 percent who say they mitigate cybersecurity risks. Interestingly, this figure is significantly lower than the percentage of respondents who reported mitigating AI-related cybersecurity last year (51 percent). Overall, much as we’ve seen in previous years, most respondents say their organizations are not addressing AI-related risks.
The survey results show that AI high performers—that is, organizations where respondents say at least 20 percent of EBIT in 2022 was attributable to AI use—are going all in on artificial intelligence, both with gen AI and more traditional AI capabilities. These organizations that achieve significant value from AI are already using gen AI in more business functions than other organizations do, especially in product and service development and risk and supply chain management. When looking at all AI capabilities—including more traditional machine learning capabilities, robotic process automation, and chatbots—AI high performers also are much more likely than others to use AI in product and service development, for uses such as product-development-cycle optimization, adding new features to existing products, and creating new AI-based products. These organizations also are using AI more often than other organizations in risk modeling and for uses within HR such as performance management and organization design and workforce deployment optimization.
AI high performers are much more likely than others to use AI in product and service development.
Another difference from their peers: high performers’ gen AI efforts are less oriented toward cost reduction, which is a top priority at other organizations. Respondents from AI high performers are twice as likely as others to say their organizations’ top objective for gen AI is to create entirely new businesses or sources of revenue—and they’re most likely to cite the increase in the value of existing offerings through new AI-based features.
As we’ve seen in previous years , these high-performing organizations invest much more than others in AI: respondents from AI high performers are more than five times more likely than others to say they spend more than 20 percent of their digital budgets on AI. They also use AI capabilities more broadly throughout the organization. Respondents from high performers are much more likely than others to say that their organizations have adopted AI in four or more business functions and that they have embedded a higher number of AI capabilities. For example, respondents from high performers more often report embedding knowledge graphs in at least one product or business function process, in addition to gen AI and related natural-language capabilities.
While AI high performers are not immune to the challenges of capturing value from AI, the results suggest that the difficulties they face reflect their relative AI maturity, while others struggle with the more foundational, strategic elements of AI adoption. Respondents at AI high performers most often point to models and tools, such as monitoring model performance in production and retraining models as needed over time, as their top challenge. By comparison, other respondents cite strategy issues, such as setting a clearly defined AI vision that is linked with business value or finding sufficient resources.
The findings offer further evidence that even high performers haven’t mastered best practices regarding AI adoption, such as machine-learning-operations (MLOps) approaches, though they are much more likely than others to do so. For example, just 35 percent of respondents at AI high performers report that where possible, their organizations assemble existing components, rather than reinvent them, but that’s a much larger share than the 19 percent of respondents from other organizations who report that practice.
Many specialized MLOps technologies and practices may be needed to adopt some of the more transformative uses cases that gen AI applications can deliver—and do so as safely as possible. Live-model operations is one such area, where monitoring systems and setting up instant alerts to enable rapid issue resolution can keep gen AI systems in check. High performers stand out in this respect but have room to grow: one-quarter of respondents from these organizations say their entire system is monitored and equipped with instant alerts, compared with just 12 percent of other respondents.
Our latest survey results show changes in the roles that organizations are filling to support their AI ambitions. In the past year, organizations using AI most often hired data engineers, machine learning engineers, and Al data scientists—all roles that respondents commonly reported hiring in the previous survey. But a much smaller share of respondents report hiring AI-related-software engineers—the most-hired role last year—than in the previous survey (28 percent in the latest survey, down from 39 percent). Roles in prompt engineering have recently emerged, as the need for that skill set rises alongside gen AI adoption, with 7 percent of respondents whose organizations have adopted AI reporting those hires in the past year.
The findings suggest that hiring for AI-related roles remains a challenge but has become somewhat easier over the past year, which could reflect the spate of layoffs at technology companies from late 2022 through the first half of 2023. Smaller shares of respondents than in the previous survey report difficulty hiring for roles such as AI data scientists, data engineers, and data-visualization specialists, though responses suggest that hiring machine learning engineers and AI product owners remains as much of a challenge as in the previous year.
Looking ahead to the next three years, respondents predict that the adoption of AI will reshape many roles in the workforce. Generally, they expect more employees to be reskilled than to be separated. Nearly four in ten respondents reporting AI adoption expect more than 20 percent of their companies’ workforces will be reskilled, whereas 8 percent of respondents say the size of their workforces will decrease by more than 20 percent.
Looking specifically at gen AI’s predicted impact, service operations is the only function in which most respondents expect to see a decrease in workforce size at their organizations. This finding generally aligns with what our recent research suggests: while the emergence of gen AI increased our estimate of the percentage of worker activities that could be automated (60 to 70 percent, up from 50 percent), this doesn’t necessarily translate into the automation of an entire role.
AI high performers are expected to conduct much higher levels of reskilling than other companies are. Respondents at these organizations are over three times more likely than others to say their organizations will reskill more than 30 percent of their workforces over the next three years as a result of AI adoption.
While the use of gen AI tools is spreading rapidly, the survey data doesn’t show that these newer tools are propelling organizations’ overall AI adoption. The share of organizations that have adopted AI overall remains steady, at least for the moment, with 55 percent of respondents reporting that their organizations have adopted AI. Less than a third of respondents continue to say that their organizations have adopted AI in more than one business function, suggesting that AI use remains limited in scope. Product and service development and service operations continue to be the two business functions in which respondents most often report AI adoption, as was true in the previous four surveys. And overall, just 23 percent of respondents say at least 5 percent of their organizations’ EBIT last year was attributable to their use of AI—essentially flat with the previous survey—suggesting there is much more room to capture value.
Organizations continue to see returns in the business areas in which they are using AI, and they plan to increase investment in the years ahead. We see a majority of respondents reporting AI-related revenue increases within each business function using AI. And looking ahead, more than two-thirds expect their organizations to increase their AI investment over the next three years.
The online survey was in the field April 11 to 21, 2023, and garnered responses from 1,684 participants representing the full range of regions, industries, company sizes, functional specialties, and tenures. Of those respondents, 913 said their organizations had adopted AI in at least one function and were asked questions about their organizations’ AI use. To adjust for differences in response rates, the data are weighted by the contribution of each respondent’s nation to global GDP.
The survey content and analysis were developed by Michael Chui , a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute and a partner in McKinsey’s Bay Area office, where Lareina Yee is a senior partner; Bryce Hall , an associate partner in the Washington, DC, office; and senior partners Alex Singla and Alexander Sukharevsky , global leaders of QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, based in the Chicago and London offices, respectively.
They wish to thank Shivani Gupta, Abhisek Jena, Begum Ortaoglu, Barr Seitz, and Li Zhang for their contributions to this work.
This article was edited by Heather Hanselman, an editor in the Atlanta office.
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You may choose a topic at the beginning of the process, and through exploring the research that has already been done, one's own interests that are narrowed or expanded in scope, the topic will change over time (Dwarkadas & Lin, 2019). Where do I begin? According to the research, there are generally two paths to exploring your research topic ...
As you start exploring, keep in mind the differences between your topic and question: Research Topic: a subject that you are interested in investigating. For instance, flu shots or vaccines are topics. Research Question: drives your investigation. It is something that you want to know about your topic; something you will explore and try to answer.
7.5: Choosing Your Topic. Your first step is to choose a topic and then to develop research questions and a working thesis. It's important to set aside adequate time for this part of the process. Fully exploring ideas will help you build a solid foundation for your paper.
The Purdue OWL (n.d.) guide to choosing a topic describes the brainstorming process: start thinking about the research project, set a timer, and write down all ideas that occur to you. Then, examine the list to look for patterns or trends among the topic ideas. Not all ideas that come up in brainstorming will be viable, but it is a good first ...
It is often helpful to state your topic in the form of a question. Treat the research project as an attempt to find a specific answer for a specific question. List Main Concepts . Pull out ideas and key terms that describe your topic. You can get a better idea of these by looking up your topic in an encyclopedia or other appropriate reference work.
A topic is the main organizing principle guiding the analysis of your research paper. Topics offer us an occasion for writing and a ... databases like EBSCOhost's Academic Search Premier to begin exploring your topic is that it covers publications from a variety of different disciplines. Another way to formulate how to study the topic is to ...
Step 1. Choose a Topic. Choosing an interesting research topic can be challenging. This video tutorial will help you select and properly scope your topic by employing questioning, free writing, and mind mapping techniques so that you can formulate a research question. Developing a Research Question.
Choosing a Research Topic Grinnell College Library offers in-depth advice for choosing, narrowing, and/or broadening research topics. 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing The New York Times features 401 ideas for research questions based on an array of contemporary issues. How to Generate Topic Ideas for Research Papers This article offers ...
Defining a Topic - SAGE Research Methods. Develop My Research Idea - Academic Writer. Note: You MUST create an Academic Writer account AND start a paper in order to access this tool. Once you have done so, open a paper and click Research Lab Book in the left navigation menu. The Process for Developing Questions - ASC Guide.
8. Start doing research. 3. Research and creative scholarship in your discipline. 6. Narrowing down your interests. Delving into a topic can be the most enjoyable and frustrating part of starting research. You will experience the initial thrills of inquiry and suspicion, which are fantastic, but those feelings can quickly turn into an equally ...
First, you will want to understand the difference between a subject and a topic. A subject is broad and general, such as Education or Sports or Film -- too big to be the focus of your research paper. You need to look within the broad subject area to find your topic. A topic is more focused, more precise; it is a narrower subset of a subject.
Turn Your Topic into a Research Question. Dig into your topic to find the question. Once you've narrowed your topic to something workable, you need to restate it as a question. A question requires an answer, and research is all about the search for answers. Here's an example: Broad Topic. global warming. Focused Topic. global warming and world ...
Narrowing a Topic. Once you have selected a topic to focus on or have been given a topic, you will need to focus your topic. For a short paper of 1000-2500 words, you will need to choose a narrow topic. You topic is too broad if: You find dozens of books on it. It's difficult to write a thesis statement. You can't squeeze everything you want to ...
Here are some things to consider: Make sure your topic meets the assignment requirements. Ask your professor for feedback if you are unsure. Choose a topic that is interesting to you. It may seem obvious, but this will make the research process more fun and engaging for you. Consider the scope of your topic. If your topic is too broad it may be ...
Step 1: Consider a Topic that Interests You. If your professor has asked you to choose a topic for your research paper, it means you can choose just about any subject to focus on in your area of study. A significant first step to take is to consider topics that interest you.
For help getting started on the writing process go to the GGU Online Writing Lab (Writing tutor) where you can set up and appointment with a writing tutor. #1 Research tip: Pick a topic that interests you. You are going to live with this topic for weeks while you research, read, and write your assignment. Choose something that will hold your ...
Argue for something in your paper; Be clear on what it is that you are arguing, so that one can assess the strength of your argument(s) How to Get Started: Consider exploring something that struck you as interesting, controversial, noteworthy, or otherwise worth exploring further in your reading, the lectures, class discussion, etc.
Begin the research and writing process using the following tips: Research your question: Now that you have a research question, you can begin exploring possible answers to it. Your research question allows you to begin researching in a clear direction. Create a thesis statement: Once you have a clear understanding of your research question and ...
Answer. A research paper is not simply a summary of a topic using sources. It is not a book report or an essay. With a research paper, you need to investigate and evaluate sources with the intention of offering an interpretation of the source material in the context of the overall topic. In short, you use your source material and your own ...
There are always more interesting topics to research in these areas. Exploring the Origins of the Universe: Big Bang Theory vs. Multiverse Theory. Enhancing Creativity through Neuroscience Research. The Physics of Black Holes: Mysteries and Discoveries. The Future of Space Exploration: Mars Colonization and Beyond.
Research is a gateway to knowledge, innovation, and solutions. Choosing interesting topics to research is the first step in this exciting journey. Whether you're exploring the depths of science, the intricacies of culture, or the dynamics of business, there's a captivating research topic waiting for you.
Since 2020, COVID-19 has been a hot-button topic in medicine, along with the long-term symptoms in those with a history of COVID-19. Examples of COVID-19-related research topics worth exploring include: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac and respiratory health. COVID-19 vaccination rates.
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