I. Preliminary Selection of Topics
First of all, we need to be clear about one point, that is, the selection of topics should not be based on personal research interests alone, but should be closely related to the field of our major. Therefore, when choosing a topic, we need to find inspiration and direction from the course content, the instructor’s research direction and relevant literature. At the same time, we also need to pay active attention to our instructors’ research areas so as to better meet their expectations.
II. Narrowing down the scope
Next, we need to further screen and refine the selected topics. This is a very important task because an overly broad selection of topics may result in a study that is not in-depth and may not even be completed. Therefore, we need to narrow down the scope of the selected topic as much as possible to make it more specific.
III. Purpose and Importance of the Study
Before determining the selected topic, we need to think carefully whether this selected topic has the value and feasibility of research. We can verify the feasibility of the selected topic by conducting preliminary research, such as simulating the process of data collection, so as to ensure the feasibility of the selected topic. At the same time, we also need to consider the background and significance of the research and what practical value it can bring to the society.
IV. Data Sources
Finally, we need to consider the source of data. Whether we intend to conduct primary or secondary research, we must ensure that the data is readily available. We need to know the available data in different databases, such as FAME (data from UK companies), CSMAR (data from Chinese companies), and so on. We also need to design suitable questionnaires to get feedback from potential users or consumers.
