Trustworthy Research Paper Topics for College

When you are assigned a research paper project in college, your primary goal is to create a new understanding of a topic by answering a specific question. But many students struggle to come up with research paper ideas they want to write about.

• Abstinence Programs: How effective are abstinence programs? What changes can be made to current programs so that more teenagers get involved?


• Africa: Why are there so many civil wars in violence in different African nations? Is this a problem of the international community or should leading nations around the globe remove themselves from a position of help?


• Censorship: Should parents have the power to censor textbooks and other types of literature for children and teenagers in schools or should this power be reserved by individual states?


• Felons and voting: Should felons keep voting rights on all or some issues or if convicted on certain types of crime? What steps can be introduced to pave the way for a return of these rights?


• Internet regulations: Should the federal or individual state governments have that right to regulate information that is available over the internet? Should the internet be regulated in any way?


• Health care crisis: Universal health coverage exists in many developed nations around the world. Why has the United States struggled for so long to have a universal health system in place? What changes need to be made so that the current system improves?


• Marijuana legalization: With more U.S. states gaining momentum in favor of legalizing marijuana, should the federal government legalize the use of the drug nationwide and regulate its sale?


• Models and body image: Should the U.S. have a minimum age and weight limit for young models? If so, what message would this send in terms of body image?


• Paparazzi: Should the paparazzi be limited in anyway (e.g., no photos of children)? Or does the right for free press cover their profession?


• Pornography: Are parental filters of internet material effective in curbing access to pornography by minors? Or does censorship actually increase curiosity and use of pornography?