Qualitative research topics for high school students

Developing healthcare, engineering, and IT is undoubtedly useful. However, the professionals in these areas do not grow on their own. The education system is the birthplace of all the genius scientists who make the change in our world.

Now, it is quite apparent why improving the education system is so important. But how do we do this? One of the things that contribute to the development is doing education research. Its purpose is to improve the efficiency of the education system by correcting the existing methods and creating new approaches.

This article contains 180 best research topics on education and child development that Custom-writing.org experts have prepared for you. Find the perfect idea here, or formulate your own topic based on one of those on the list.

How to Choose an Education Research Topic?

If you have decided to start working on an educational research, you can definitely benefit from the following list of tips on how to choose a topic. It is the first writing step on your way to the successful paper.

• Review your previous works. Take a look at the essays and research projects you finished earlier. You may have mentioned an issue there that would be worth a more detailed examination.
• Stay informed about the latest updates in education. You might find some government reports saying about their plan of action. It is an excellent source of the most relevant topics that need to be developed in the nearest future.

• Go out into the field. If you dont work in the area of education, it can be beneficial to visit some schools and colleges. Seeing how all the methods are applied in real life gives some food for thought.
• Dig into literature. You might as well get inspired by reading some acknowledged authors works.
• Check out international practices. Dont be afraid to go out of the limits of the national education system. There are thousands of new approaches applied in different areas of education.

Try at least one of the suggested tips if you feel stuck. Be creative while working on your paper! Use our great collection of funny quotes about education. And keep in mind that weve also prepared some speech and research proposal ideas on education.

Education Research Topics List

We made a list of educational research topics to make your life easier and save your time! There are 113 great ideas about which way you can start moving:

1. Early childhood education: learning through play. We already discussed the importance of education in the development of our society. You see, the personality and mindset of a person are developed in the first years of their lives. Early childhood education is the foundation for the rest of the childs life.
2. Evaluation of the ability grouping method effectiveness. Ability grouping is creating groups of pupils with the same abilities, unlike the more popular age grouping strategy. However, there might be some challenges. For instance, the group should be rearranged if one child starts developing faster. You can research its effectiveness.
3. How does the blended learning approach affect students performance? Blended learning has been getting more and more popular recently. It is a modern learning approach that combines traditional classes with online materials. It requires strong management skills from students but gives more opportunities in the age of technologies.
4. Growing classes: do learning outcomes suffer from it? It looks like there are fewer and fewer professionals willing to teach at schools. But the demand is growing, which results in bigger classes. Teachers cant possibly split and attend to each and every student with the same level of individual approach. So how does it affect students performance?
5. The trends in computer literacy. Nowadays, no one is surprised by a toddler using a tablet or a smartphone without any trouble. Technologies are also incorporated into the learning process. You may write on it with an argumentative approach or see what trends there are and compare them.

1. How to recognize which learning style a student needs? There are four learning styles based on different ways students perceive information. For some, it is easier to visualize information; for others, it is all about reading. Look into how schools apply this knowledge, how the best teachers find individual approaches, or how can a study styles quiz help in determining the best educational strategy.
2. Should all teachers receive merit pay? Lets talk about finances now! Being a teacher is an essential but sometimes tough job. Most teachers overwork and dont even have weekends. However, they would still receive a standard paycheck. Is it fair? Or should they be paid according to their performance?
3. Standardized testing as a fair judging system. Standardized tests were created to evaluate the performance of the students in all the schools around the country. However, how effective are they? Are the quality of education and budgeting the same in all schools? Many aspects should be taken into consideration.
4. From homeschooling to successful careers: an overview. There are many reasons why mothers would prefer homeschooling to public education. However, only one thing matters its effectiveness. If you know anyone who was studying at home, take this chance to analyze how it affected their current life. It is one of the experimental research topics in education.
5. How do children benefit from bilingual education? At the times of globalization, this question is undoubtedly relevant. There are more and more advocates for bilingual education. Studies have shown that kids who study in two or more languages have better cognitive abilities and overall academic achievement.
6. Single-sex education vs. mixed-sex education. The division started to honor traditions and religion. You might think that it is in the past But, today, there are still plenty of separate schools for boys and girls. There are many debates on this issue and an excellent chance to research it from the scientific point of view.
7. Where is the line for parental involvement? It is easily one of the best education research topics. Maybe it is too biased for a thesis but could be excellent as a research paper for majors like psychology and communication. Parental involvement is undoubtedly essential, but is there a limit? Parents sometimes overdo it!
8. Boarding schools: advantages & disadvantages. Sometimes parents send their kids to the boarding schools to get rid of them. But often they underestimate the stress that students go under there. Spending all their time on the school premises, even at the weekend. It can be psychologically exhausting.
9. How should a proper sex education program look like? Lets leave the Netflix show aside, though In real life, it is much less dramatic. But just as important! In many schools, there is a lack of sex ed classes. And even if there are some, they dont seem to be working However, this topic is vital for youth health and is worth researching.
10. Reforming the school schedule: the most efficient solution. This education research topic list would not be complete without this highlighting this issue. There is no way to satisfy all students needs regarding the schedule. But that is what compromises for! Maybe your research can become the next universal solution.
11. How can career counseling support high school students? Career counseling might be a good investment for schools. Counselors analyze students unique abilities and skills based on the scores as well as their passions. It is also a great chance for students to evaluate their real prospects for a specific career path.
12. The benefits of the flipped classroom approach. The flipped classroom approach is kinda a type of blended learning. Students are asked to learn the new material at home. When they get to school, they work through it with a teacher and create discussion groups. But does it really work?
13. How does Race to the Top program affect students outcomes? Race to the Top is an initiative that helps to reform the education system by giving grants to states. It provides multiple opportunities, such as creating data systems and organizing training for teachers. However, it met a wave of criticism.
14. The new solutions to prevent violence at schools. Education is good, but children can be mean to each other. Whenever kids get together, there are always fights. It is hard even dealing with and preventing sounds impossible. But you only need to study some cases of educational institutions in countries like Sweden.
15. Why should teachers join teacher unions? Teacher unions are organizations that connect professionals who want to stand for their rights. It may be extremely beneficial if a teacher seeks legal advice. But is it the only advantage of joining the union? You can elaborate on this topic, which is relevant at all times.
16. Adapted physical education vs. usual physical education
17. Is busing still relevant, and should it be stopped?
18. How to avoid plagiarism?
19. Charter schools vs. public schools: compare & contrast
20. Online courses interaction: types and effects
21. The inclusivity in charter schools
22. High school students and vocational education
23. Should collaborative learning be applied more in high school?
24. Comparing education in USA and in Saudi Arabia
25. Do Common Core State Standards succeed in preparing students for college?
26. Evidence-based model and solving problems with school funding
27. Why is computer-assisted instruction also necessary for non-IT students?
28. Personal lecture results
29. Data-based decision making in assessment
30. The role of teachers and parents in the discipline: compare & contrast
31. Education: qualitative research study roles
32. Should time management be taught in schools?
33. Education: peer evaluation system
34. Do dual enrollment programs put more pressure on high school students?
35. College student life: participation, perceptions and satisfaction
36. DACA and DREAM act: compare & contrast
37. Impacts of teaching detective stories to esl students
38. Can Kalamazoo Promise initiative be applied in other states?
39. Liberal arts: Otis College of Arts and Design
40. Using Gardners theory of multiple intelligences to create a new learning approach
41. Where and how sex education should be conducted among the young people?
42. Where is the limit of self-improvement: the case of the No Child Left Behind Act?
43. Homeschooling: argumentation for and against
44. School sex education and teenage pregnancy in the United States
45. The effect of outcomes-based education on childrens mental health
46. Education: financial aid for college students
47. The benefits of peer-counseling
48. Learning methods: online learning
49. School uniform in learning institutions
50. Improving oral reading skills to enhance reading comprehension
51. The root causes of plagiarism in high school
52. Religion in schools: is there a place for it? Pros and cons
53. Are plagiarism and dishonesty in childhood connected?
54. Should a school choice be a usual practice?
55. Education issues: differentiation and technology
56. The best school-to-career programs in the country: an overview
57. The concept of lifelong learning
58. Studying abroad: pros and cons
59. Is there still a need for school-to-career programs?
60. Addressing bullying in elementary and middle school classrooms
61. What is STEM lacking?
62. STEAM vs. STEM: compare & contrast
63. Peer evaluation system in education
64. The ways of integrating technology into the classroom
65. College education: arguments for and against
66. How to prevent students from being distracted by smartphones?
67. Continuing nursing education: a 3-5 year plan
68. Psychology of the high school: why do students become bullies?
69. Adult education: reasons to continue studying
70. How to prevent cyberbullying among teenagers?
71. Flipped classroom in nursing schools
72. Do virtual classrooms lack a personal connection between students and teachers?
73. Classroom management and techniques to incorporate in students reinforcement plan
74. Will virtual classrooms substitute real-life classes in the future?
75. Childrens bullying in school
76. Is the whole brain teaching method effective for college students?
77. Gamification in education practice
78. Uniforms: killing individuality or improving discipline?

1. Perceptions about relationships around schooling
2. Does the zero-tolerance policy violate the law?
3. Academic dishonesty and its detrimental effects
4. Online education and e-learning: potential and benefits
5. The approaches to emotional development in early childhood education
6. Understanding students professionalism
7. Importance of sex education
8. Sex education curricula as the factor that reduced the number of pregnancies in Fayette and Shelby counties
9. School communication
10. Encouraging students in reading and literacy
11. The correct ways to minimize plagiarism and cheating
12. The role of textbooks in education
13. Why do college students drop out of school?
14. Social skills vs. general knowledge: what is more important in early childhood education?
15. Distance learning and social change
16. A school without homework: a case study
17. Homeschooling: argumentation for and against
18. The role of history learning in society
19. Public vs. private schools: what affects academic achievement?
20. The impact of education on life quality
21. Educational experiences and significant career goals
22. The most advanced best practices in adult ESL instruction
23. College entrance exams in the US and China: the competitiveness
24. Information technologies & online learning
25. An information overload: what are high school students limits?
26. The impact of education on life qualityEducation: Internet courses versus traditional courses
27. Multicultural education: how does it promote a positive attitude?
28. Course evaluation methods
29. Critical thinking in education
30. Criterion and norm-referenced tests in education

Special Education Research Topics & Ideas

Special education makes it possible for students with special needs to receive all the individual support they require. There are plenty of interesting special education research topics you can choose from:

1. Practical approaches to teaching students with an auditory processing disorder. The percentage of children diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder (APD) is rising. Despite the difficulty in diagnosing, there is believed to be at least 5% of students having this learning disorder. It doesnt affect the hearing itself but makes it hard for children to process what they hear.
2. Music therapy for children on the autism spectrum: what instruments are the most effective? Children on the autism spectrum find it difficult to interact socially. Some studies show that music therapy helps them become more flexible and responsive. In turn, it promotes the development of their social skills. For example, the didgeridoo playing showed significant results.
3. Karaoke as a way to help children with learning disorders. Kids with learning disabilities need special care. It is one of the research paper topics on education which can bring a brilliant solution! It has been shown that children with learning disorders did much better in reading tests after doing karaoke-based exercises.

1. How does peer support help children with disabilities socialize in the classroom? We have already mentioned a topic related to peer review, which is quite a good one for the thesis. Here, you can study how peers can help their classmates with special needs. It is especially relevant for schools with inclusivity policies.
2. Cooperative learning & students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Cooperative learning is vital in early childhood. Most schools choose this approach because of its apparent benefits. However, kids with ADHD might see it as a real challenge. Look into the best ways to engage them in cooperative learning activities without harm.
3. Social skills: the best time for children with EBD to learn them. It is one of the research topics in social studies education. Secondary school becomes a tough period for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. It is the time when social skills training is as relevant for them as never before. However, what is the best time to start SST?
4. How to develop self-determination in children with disabilities? Self-determination is one of the most vital components of growing up. Every independent human being needs to have it developed. But what about children with special needs? Since they rely heavily on support, it is the educators responsibility to help them build self-determination.
5. What are the negative sides of the response to intervention approach? Response to intervention is not a new method. However, it has appeared to be controversial. It not only focuses on children with special needs but on every student who struggles to achieve a specific level. Some evaluations show its ineffectiveness, though.
6. Inclusive classes vs. special education. It is one of the most relevant child development research paper topics. Special education classes were created out of fear that students with learning disabilities cannot reach the same level of academic achievement in usual courses. However, it seems that the performance is the same in both approaches.
7. How does grade retention affect children with learning disabilities? Even frequent testing can be a stress for any student. How do children with learning disorders feel then? Whats more, they are put under more pressure if they need to repeat the year? Therefore, some particular approaches need to be applied to prevent it.
8. Why should students with learning disabilities be included in the Adequate Yearly Progress evaluation?
9. Is a foreign language learning disability a real thing?
10. Learning disabilities: when is a childs communication considered delayed?
11. Are students more engaged in self-directed IEP classes?
12. Teaching communication skills for students with autism
13. Zero-tolerance policy & students with special needs
14. Assessing students with learning problems
15. Strategies for addressing individual needs in special education
16. How effective is the Reading Recovery program?
17. Inquiry in the field of education: critical and historical analysis of inclusion of students with disabilities
18. Early intervention & students with hearing disabilities
19. Inclusive classes & bullying prevention
20. Technology integration for children with learning disabilities
21. Education for students with autism in Saudi Arabia
22. Blended learning & children on the autism spectrum: pros and cons
23. Special education & trauma-informed learning
24. Should twice-exceptional students still get a special education approach?
25. What are the causes of disproportionality in special education?
26. Self-monitoring & students with learning disabilities
27. How does virtual reality help students with autism adapt to stressful real-life situations?
28. Homeschooling children with learning disorders
29. How to prevent special education teachers from burnouts?
30. Co-teaching & special education
31. Is full inclusion a good idea?
32. Student-led planning to promote independence in special education
33. Early detection & learning disabilities

Child Development Research Topics & Ideas

Child development is a vast area since it covers both the physical and mental development of a child from birth to adulthood. Below you can find 30 child development research topics suitable for your project or even a dissertation!

1. Mother-child connection: how does stress affect a childs wellbeing? Everyone knows about the mother-child connection, but not many know how deep it is. During pregnancy, a woman can get into a stressful situation. It may cause chemical reactions in the brain of a child, which, in turn, affects its future health.
2. What role do genes play in child development? Some of us are used to blaming genes for one thing or another. However, it appears that the environment in which we grow up is much more critical. You can debate on how a childs environment cases chemical modifications in genes.
3. How does living in a community affect child development? Of course, parents are the primary caregivers for small children. On the other hand, there are advocates for shared responsibilities. In communities, kids interact mostly with close neighbors. A child is open to more experience this way. Elaborate on this topic.

1. Child development: does it slow down after the third birthday? It is true that in the first three years of life, children develop the most basic brain functions very actively. However, it doesnt mean that after that they cant learn anything new! So what areas of the brain stop active development after the childs third birthday, if any?
2. How is neglecting and ignoring your child worse than physical punishment? Physical violence against children is addressed as one of the main issues in child development. Undoubtedly, it has incredibly adverse effects on a childs mental health. However, neglect is often omitted. It may cause severe disruptions in the healthy social life and development of a child.
3. Childhood trauma & happy life. Children who faced violence or any other unpleasant experience have a higher risk of developing stress-related disorders. On the other hand, it is not a rule. If a child gets sufficient support as soon as possible, traumas may just become a neutral life experience for them.
4. What care should traumatized children be provided? It is not enough to just save a child from a traumatizing environment. They can still feel insecure even in safe and predictable surroundings. This situation would require more than one action. A child needs therapeutic care for sooner recovery.
5. Child development: coping with troubles alone or in a team? Usually, parents try to teach their children to become more independent. Being brave and only relying on yourself is promoted as socially acceptable behavior. But scientists found out that its not individualism that helps to overcome obstacles but supportive relationships.
6. Responsive relationships & child development. It appears that having a healthy relationship with parents in childhood is related to having good mental health. Parents should practice responsive relationships with their children. It promotes healthy brain development and resilience in kids. You can research this connection.
7. Why should parents teach core life skills to their children? Children are capable of learning how to adapt to life on their own. But researchers highlight that parents can significantly help in this process by teaching core life skills to children. This scaffolding process helps kids learn, develop, and make healthy life choices.
8. Why is reducing stress essential for child development?
9. Family factors that shape childrens behavior
10. How does the process of building neural connections change with time?
11. Why is it essential to respond to the childs interaction actions?
12. Child development: using the early plasticity at full
13. How emotional health and social skills affect a childs future career?
14. Toxic stress & child development
15. What effect does divorce cause in child development?
16. Video games & child development: pros and cons
17. What does single parenting mean for the development of a child?
18. Can a child develop normally without a fathers love?
19. Can food supplements help to develop a childs cognitive abilities?
20. Postpartum depression & child development
21. Does verbal abuse have the same effect on a child as physical punishment?
22. Should beauty pageants be banned as a threat to healthy child development?
23. How soon should mothers end maternity leave?
24. Child development in low-income families
25. How does graphic violence in animations and movies affect child development?
26. Child development & mothers mental illness
27. Is daycare right for child development?
28. Child development: how do children adopt parents beliefs?

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References

1. Find a Topic Idea: Questia
2. Top Tips on Choosing a Topic for Your Education Research Project: Acedemia
3. InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development (Harvard University)
4. Child Development: Research (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
5. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education: SAGE Journals
6. PhD Research Topics: Department of Education, University of York
7. Early childhood education: UNICEF
8. Early Childhood Education: Australian Council for Educational Research
9. Do the Effects of Early Childhood Programs on Academic Outcomes Vary by Gender? A Meta-Analysis (2011 SREE Conference Abstract Template)
10. Research in Education: Ontario Ministry of Education
11. Center for Education Policy Research: Harvard University
12. Research: School of Education, University of Queensland
13. Faculty & Research: School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
14. Education Research Section: Princeton University
15. Engaging with educational research: free course (OpenLearn)
16. Education in a Changing World: University of Oulu
17. Research areas: The University of Sydney, School of Education and Social Work
18. Faculty & Research: Stanford, Graduate School of Education
19. Special Education: UW College of Education
20. Special Education: Michigan State University