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How Do I Pick a Research Topic?

When you’re doing research, you want to consider topics that interest you. Depending on the field and mentor, you may be working on a project that you designed yourself or you may be working on a larger project within a research team. The questions below can help you determine a research topic, mentor, and/or research team to work on.

You can find a research topic by asking yourself some questions. No answer is incorrect!

  • What are you most interested in the world?

  • What makes you passionate? What would you like to change?

  • What would you like to create?

  • What would like to spend your time doing?

  • What are major trends in academia right now, in industry, in the media?

  • What are you studying in your classes?

Undergraduate Research Hub

Undergraduate Research LogoPhone: (858) 534-1774
Drop-In Hours (Walk-In): Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Drop-In Hours (Virtual): Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Zoom link)
Location: Student Center Building B, 1st Floor
Wayfinding Address: 9358 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla, CA 92093
Mailing Address: 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0311, La Jolla, CA 92093-0311

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