research paper topics current events

Top Science News

Latest top headlines.

• Diet and Weight Loss
• Children's Health
• Prostate Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Neuroscience
• Intelligence
• Virtual Reality
• Computer Graphics
• Energy and the Environment
• Energy Technology
• Electricity
• Nature of Water
• Black Holes
• Sustainability
• Environmental Issues
• Evolutionary Biology
• Frogs and Reptiles
• Paleontology
• New Species
• Mating and Breeding
• Fussy Eater? Most Parents Play Short Order Cook
• Affordable and Targeted Anticancer Agent
• How Working Memory Reallly Works
• Exercise Cuts Stress-Related Brain Activity

Top Physical/Tech

• Holographic Displays: An Immersive Future
• Harvesting Energy Where River Meets Sea
• Making Diamonds at Ambient Pressure
• Eruption of Mega-Magnetic Star

Top Environment

• Humans and Earth's Deep Subsurface Fluid Flow
• Bioluminescence in Animals 540 Million Years Ago
• Fossil Frogs Share Their Skincare Secrets
• Two Species Interbreeding Created New Butterfly

Health News

Latest health headlines.

• Heart Disease
• Stroke Prevention
• Cholesterol
• Immune System
• Brain Tumor
• Staying Healthy
• Mental Health
• Mental Health Research
• Environmental Awareness
• Global Warming
• Medical Devices
• Medical Technology
• Social Psychology
• Relationships
• STEM Education
• Educational Policy
• Educational Technology
• Brain-Computer Interfaces

Health & Medicine

• Sphingolipids in Coronary Artery Disease
• Significantly Improving Cancer Immunotherapies
• Getting Kids to Eat Fruits and Veggies
• Low Intensity Exercise: Less Depression

Mind & Brain

• 'Disaster Subculture' In Extreme Events
• Beta Rhythms Implement Cognitive Control
• Magnetic Microcoils Unlock Therapies
• Rekindling Friendships as Scary as Making Them

Living Well

• World's Chocolate Supply Threatened by Virus
• Infected: Understanding Spread of Behavior
• Can AI Simulate Multidisciplinary Workshops?
• Brain Synchronization Patterns and Social Ties

Physical/Tech News

Latest physical/tech headlines.

• Wearable Technology
• Electronics
• Wind Energy
• Geomagnetic Storms
• Astrophysics
• Solar Energy
• Solar System
• Extrasolar Planets
• Sleep Disorders
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Endangered Plants
• Veterinary Medicine
• Pests and Parasites
• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Spintronics Research
• Spintronics

Matter & Energy

• Rubber-Like Stretchable Energy Storage Device
• Toward Unification of Turbulence Framework
• Positive Perceptions of Solar Projects
• Light Without Heat Can Vaporize Water

Space & Time

• Oldest Evidence of Earth's Magnetic Field
• To Find Life in the Universe, View Deadly Venus
• Giant Galactic Explosion: Galaxy Pollution
• Simulated Microgravity Affects Sleep Rhythms

Computers & Math

• AI Engineering Plants to Fight Climate Change
• AI Diagnoses Moon Blindness from Horse Photos
• Control of Valley Polarization in Bulk Materials
• Clean Fuel Generation With Simple Twist

Environment News

Latest environment headlines.

• Hurricanes and Cyclones
• Microbes and More
• Ecology Research
• Crohn's Disease
• Air Pollution
• Hazardous Waste
• Recycling and Waste
• Ozone Holes
• Air Quality
• Severe Weather
• Ancient Civilizations
• Lost Treasures
• Anthropology
• Biochemistry Research
• Cell Biology

Plants & Animals

• Hurricanes Jeopardize Carbon-Storing in Forests
• Giant Viruses Infect Deadly Parasite
• How Parasites Shape Complex Food Webs
• Family of Proteins and Inflammatory Diseases

Earth & Climate

• Broader Effects of Wildfires in Siberia
• Remote Monitoring of Cloud Properties
• Sustainable Recovery of Minerals from E-Waste
• Ozone Layer: Pollution and Climate

Fossils & Ruins

• Everest Mountaineer's Letters Digitized
• 'Forgotten City'
• RNA's Hidden Potential: Future Bioengineering
• Worst-Case Warming Less Likely, Analysis Shows

Society/Education News

Latest society/education headlines.

• Oceanography
• Resource Shortage
• Diseases and Conditions
• Public Health
• Breast Cancer
• Security and Defense
• Weapons Technology
• Surveillance
• Child Psychology
• Child Development
• K-12 Education
• Infant and Preschool Learning
• Language Acquisition
• Mathematics
• Computer Modeling
• Environmental Policies
• Land Management

Science & Society

• Storm Protection and Sea-Level Rise
• Financial Hardships With Cancer Diagnosis
• Fecal Contamination of Coastal Waters
• Modernizing the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent

Education & Learning

• Pupils Enlarge When People Focus On Tasks
• Synchrony Between Parents and Children
• Evolving Attitudes of Gen X Toward Evolution
• Talk to Your Baby: It Matters

Business & Industry

• New Sensing Checks Overhaul Manufacturing
• Sustainability in Agricultural Trade
• Active Workstations and Cognitive Performance
• Suppressing Boredom at Work Hurts Productivity
• Precise Time Measurement: Superradiant Atoms

Trending Topics

Strange & offbeat, about this site.

ScienceDaily features breaking news about the latest discoveries in science, health, the environment, technology, and more -- from leading universities, scientific journals, and research organizations.

Visitors can browse more than 500 individual topics, grouped into 12 main sections (listed under the top navigational menu), covering: the medical sciences and health; physical sciences and technology; biological sciences and the environment; and social sciences, business and education. Headlines and summaries of relevant news stories are provided on each topic page.

Stories are posted daily, selected from press materials provided by hundreds of sources from around the world. Links to sources and relevant journal citations (where available) are included at the end of each post.

For more information about ScienceDaily, please consult the links listed at the bottom of each page.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Research News

• Subscribe to Health Newsletter

A coyote at the Fort Worth Zoo is photographed in the hours leading up to the April 8 total solar eclipse. The Hartstone-Rose Research Lab, NC State hide caption

Animals get stressed during eclipses. But not for the reason you think

April 25, 2024 • After studying various species earlier this month, some scientists now say they understand the origin of animal behavior during solar eclipses.

Dr. Jeffrey Stern, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, prepare the gene-edited pig kidney with thymus for transplantation. Joe Carrotta for NYU Langone Health hide caption

Shots - Health News

A woman with failing kidneys receives genetically modified pig organs.

April 24, 2024 • Surgeons transplanted a kidney and thymus gland from a gene-edited pig into a 54-year-old woman in an attempt to extend her life. It's the latest experimental use of animal organs in humans.

Drug companies often do one-on-one outreach to doctors. A new study finds these meetings with drug reps lead to more prescriptions for cancer patients, but not longer survival. Chris Hondros/Getty Images hide caption

Oncologists' meetings with drug reps don't help cancer patients live longer

April 22, 2024 • Drug company reps commonly visit doctors to talk about new medications. A team of economists wanted to know if that helps patients live longer. They found that for cancer patients, the answer is no.

When the media covers scientific research, not all scientists are equally likely to be mentioned. A new study finds scientists with Asian or African names were 15% less likely to be named in a story. shironosov/Getty Images hide caption

Perspective

Which scientists get mentioned in the news mostly ones with anglo names, says study.

April 19, 2024 • A new study finds that in news stories about scientific research, U.S. media were less likely to mention a scientist if they had an East Asian or African name, as compared to one with an Anglo name.

An artistic rendering of a washed-up Ichthyotitan severnensis carcass on the beach. Sergey Krasovskiy hide caption

An 11-year-old unearthed fossils of the largest known marine reptile

April 19, 2024 • When the dinosaurs walked the Earth, massive marine reptiles swam. Among them, a species of Ichthyosaur that measured over 80 feet long. Today, we look into how a chance discovery by a father-daughter duo of fossil hunters furthered paleontologist's understanding of the "giant fish lizard of the Severn." Currently, it is the largest marine reptile known to scientists.

The Science of Siblings

Comic: our sun was born with thousands of other stars. where did they all go.

April 18, 2024 • Our sun was born in a cosmic cradle with thousands of other stars. Astrophysicists say they want to find these siblings in order to help answer the question: Are we alone out there?

Surgeon Christoph Haller and his research team from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children are working on technology that could someday result in an artificial womb to help extremely premature babies. Chloe Ellingson for NPR hide caption

An artificial womb could build a bridge to health for premature babies

April 12, 2024 • Artificial wombs could someday save babies born very prematurely. Even though the experimental technology is still in animal tests, there are mounting questions about its eventual use with humans.

In the womb, a brother's hormones can shape a sister's future

April 9, 2024 • When siblings share a womb, sex hormones from a male fetus can cause lasting changes in a female littermate. This effect exists for all kinds of mammals — perhaps humans too.

The black-capped chickadee, seen here, is well known for its strong episodic memory. Dmitriy Aronov hide caption

The "barcodes" powering these tiny songbirds' memories may also help human memory

April 5, 2024 • Tiny, black-capped chickadees have big memories. They stash food in hundreds to thousands of locations in the wild – and then come back to these stashes when other food sources are low. Now, researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute think neural activity that works like a barcode may be to thank for this impressive feat — and that it might be a clue for how memories work across species.

The "barcodes" powering these tiny songbirds' memories may also help human memory

"One second doesn't sound like much, but in today's interconnected world, getting the time wrong could lead to huge problems," geophysicist Duncan Agnew says. Here, an official clock is seen at a golf tournament in Cape Town, South Africa. Johan Rynners/Getty Images hide caption

Negative leap second: Climate change delays unusual step for time standard

March 30, 2024 • We're nearing a year when a negative leap second could be needed to shave time — an unprecedented step that would have unpredictable effects, a new study says.

A researcher holds up a sandy De Winton's golden mole. Nicky Souness/Endangered Wildlife Trust hide caption

Once lost to science, these "uncharismatic" animals are having their moment

March 29, 2024 • Historic numbers of animals across the globe have become endangered or pushed to extinction. But some of these species sit in limbo — not definitively extinct yet missing from the scientific record. Rediscovering a "lost" species is not easy. It can require trips to remote areas and canvassing a large area in search of only a handful of animals. But new technology and stronger partnerships with local communities have helped these hidden, "uncharismatic" creatures come to light.

Once lost to science, these "uncharismatic" animals are having their moment

The country's two biggest reservoirs are on the Colorado River. Water levels at Lake Powell have dropped steeply during the two-decade megadrought. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

The Colorado River rarely reaches the sea. Here's why

March 28, 2024 • More than half of the Colorado River's water is used to grow crops, primarily livestock feed, a new study finds. The river and its users are facing tough decisions as the climate warms.

A post-reproductive toothed whale mother and her son. David Ellifrit/Center for Whale Research hide caption

Most animals don't go through menopause. So why do these whales?

March 22, 2024 • Across the animal kingdom, menopause is something of an evolutionary blip. We humans are one of the few animals to experience it. But Sam Ellis , a researcher in animal behavior, argues that this isn't so surprising. "The best way to propagate your genes is to get as many offspring as possible into the next generation," says Ellis. "The best way to do that is almost always to reproduce your whole life."

A cicada perches on a picnic table in front of Nolde Mansion in Cumru Township, PA in May 2021. New research shows that these insects urinate in a surprising way. Ben Hasty / MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images hide caption

Scientists studied how cicadas pee. Their insights could shed light on fluid dynamics

March 20, 2024 • Cicadas, and the way they urinate, offer a 'perfect' lab for understanding fluid dynamics at very small scales, researchers say

Workers at the U.S. Embassy in Havana leave the building in September 2017. New research out of the National Institutes of Health finds no unusual pattern of damage in the brains of Havana syndrome patients. Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images hide caption

In Havana syndrome patients, NIH scientists find no physical trace of harm

March 18, 2024 • The mysterious ailments that became known as Havana syndrome left no physical evidence of injury or disease, according to two government studies.

This close-up of the Verona astrolabe shows Arabic and Hebrew markings. Federica Gigante hide caption

This medieval astrolabe has both Arabic and Hebrew markings. Here's what it means

March 16, 2024 • This discovery sheds new light on the rich history of scholarship and intellectual exchange between Muslims, Jews and Christians during a time of Muslim rule in medieval Spain.

Flares burn off methane and other hydrocarbons at an oil and gas facility in Lenorah, Texas in 2021. New research shows drillers emit about three times as much climate-warming methane as official estimates. David Goldman/AP hide caption

Oil and gas companies emit more climate-warming methane than EPA reports

March 13, 2024 • Oil and gas drillers are releasing more climate-warming methane than the government estimates, a new study shows.

This type of staghorn coral ( Acropora pulchra ) appeared to benefit from the presence of sea cucumbers ( Holothuria atra ), a new study finds. Terry Moore/Stocktrek Images / Science Source hide caption

This often-overlooked sea creature may be quietly protecting the planet's coral reefs

March 13, 2024 • The pickle-shaped bottom feeders may reduce the amount of microbes on the seafloor that could potentially sicken coral, scientists suggest

Millions of people are affected by long COVID, a disease that encompasses a range of symptoms — everything from brain fog to chronic fatigue — and that manifests differently across patients. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images hide caption

What we know about long COVID — from brain fog to physical fatigue

March 13, 2024 • "Long COVID has affected every part of my life," said Virginia resident Rachel Beale said at a recent Senate hearing. "I wake up every day feeling tired, nauseous and dizzy. I immediately start planning when I can lay down again." Beale is far from alone. Many of her experiences have been echoed by others dealing with long COVID. It's a constellation of debilitating symptoms that range from brain fog and intense physical fatigue to depression and anxiety. But there's new, promising research that sheds light onto some symptoms. NPR health correspondent Will Stone talks with Short Wave host Regina G. Barber about the state of long COVID research — what we know, what we don't and when we can expect treatments or even cures for it. Have more COVID questions you want us to cover? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to hear from you.

Maria E. Garay-Serratos holds a framed photograph of her mother, who died after suffering decades of domestic violence. Scientists are trying to understand how domestic violence damages the brain. Julio Serratos/Maria E. Garay-Serratos hide caption

Domestic violence may leave telltale damage in the brain. Scientists want to find it

March 8, 2024 • Traumatic brain injuries from intimate partner violence are common, and potentially more severe than those seen in sports.

Elephantnose Fish, Gnathonemus petersii, Congo ullstein bild hide caption

The "shocking" tactic electric fish use to collectively sense the world

March 8, 2024 • Neuroscientist Nathan Sawtell has spent a lot of time studying the electric elephantnose fish. These fish send and decipher weak electric signals, which Sawtell hopes will eventually help neuroscientists better understand how the brain filters sensory information about the outside world. As Sawtell has studied these electric critters, he's had a lingering question: why do they always seem to organize themselves in a particular orientation. At first, he couldn't figure out why, but a new study released this week in Nature may have an answer: the fish are creating an electrical network larger than any field a single fish can muster alone, and providing collective knowledge about potential dangers in the surrounding water.

The "shocking" tactic electric fish use to collectively sense the world

A digital illustration of a circle of hands extending from the edge of the image, each holding a sheet of paper. The papers overlap in the center and, like a puzzle, come together to reveal a drawing of a handgun. Oona Tempest/KFF Health News hide caption

Meet the public health researchers trying to rein in America's gun violence crisis

Kff health news.

March 6, 2024 • After the 1996 Dickey Amendment halted federal spending on gun violence research, a small group of academics pressed on, with little money or support. Now a new generation is taking up the charge.

Frontiers | Science News

• Science News

Research Topics

Top 10 research topics from 2021.

Find the answers to your biggest research questions from 2021. With collective views of over 3.7 million, researchers explored topics spanning from nutritional immunology and political misinformation to sustainable agriculture and the human-dog bond .

Research Topics:

1. Infectious disease

• 1,643,000 views
• 29 articles

2. Nutritional immunology

• 768,000 views

3. Music therapy

• 268,000 views
• 44 articles

4. Political misinformation

• 219,000 views
• 11 articles

5. Plant science

• 198,000 views
• 15 articles

6. Sustainable agriculture

• 168,000 views
• 49 articles

7. Mental health

• 136,000 views
• 22 articles

8. Aging brains

• 134,000 views
• 18 articles

Benefits of human-dog interactions

• 229,000 views
• 13 articles

10. Mood disorders

• 102,000 views
• 12 articles

Shape the future of your field

Become a guest editor for an article collection around your own research theme. Benefit from increased impact and discoverability, a dedicated platform and support team, and rigorous peer review for every paper.

Suggest your topic

Post related info

January 17, 2022

Frontiers Communications

Post categories, sustainability, related subjects, research topics, related content.

Pride Month 2021: Research Topics on Visibility, Unity, and Equality

International Earth Day 2021: Research Topics to Restore Our Earth

World Bee Day 2021: Research Topics to Build Back Better for Bees

Latest posts.

Experts call for global genetic warning system to combat the next pandemic and antimicrobial resistance

Puzzling link between depression and cardiovascular disease explained at last: they partly develop from the same gene module

Women’s heart disease is underdiagnosed, but new machine learning models can help solve this problem

Baby sharks prefer being closer to shore, show scientists

UKSG 2024: open access and the evolving scholarly landscape for libraries

• NWTC Library

Current, Controversial Topics: A Research Guide

• Get Started

Library Search

Current event resources, frequently asked questions, contact us, get training, or learn more about the library.

• Picking a Topic
• Narrow Your Topic Worksheets
• Find Additional Sources
• Evaluate Sources
• Citing Sources
• Related Guides

Got Questions?

Click on the chat icon in the lower right side of the page or visit our Ask a Librarian site  to search or browse our FAQs.

• Search Everything
• Catalog (No Articles)
• Find Journals

Learn how to use Library Search and download the app

Learn how to use Library Search and download the app  

• What are the Library's hours?
• Where are the short NWTC technology videos?
• How do I apply to borrow a laptop or hotspot for my classes?
• How can I learn to use Canvas?
• How do I get Microsoft 365 for free?
• What do I need to know about Printing?
• How do I use web conferencing?
• Can I get my textbook from the Library?
• How do we sign up for study rooms?
• How do I pick a topic for a research paper?
• How do I make a works cited page?
• Can a librarian help me start my research?
• Who works in the Library?

Contact Us/View FAQs

Contact us or search FAQs at Ask a Librarian .

Get Training

Sign up for free hands-on training sessions .

Take a Tour

View our virtual library tour or guided tour .

Make Requests

Request items that are out or at other libraries.

Recommend Titles

Send a recommendation for adding a resource.

Follow the Library on Facebook  or Instagram .

Take our 4-question survey to give feedback on this guide.

• Next: Picking a Topic >>
• URL: https://nwtc.libguides.com/current_topics

Subscribe or renew today

Every print subscription comes with full digital access

Science News

Flint grapples with the mental health fallout from the water disaster

On the 10th anniversary of the start of the water disaster, our story from November 2023 highlights how the Flint community is helping residents heal. 

Rat cells grew in mice brains, and helped sniff out cookies

Newfound ‘altermagnets’ shatter the magnetic status quo 

Pelvic exams at hospitals require written consent, new U.S. guidelines say 

A new method of making diamonds doesn’t require extreme pressure 

A vaccine for bees has an unexpected effect

Glowing octocorals have been around for at least 540 million years

Trending stories.

A rapid shift in ocean currents could imperil the world’s largest ice shelf

Separating science fact from fiction in Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’ 

A new U.S. tool maps where heat will be dangerous for your health

Plant ‘time bombs’ highlight how sneaky invasive species can be

Sign Up For the Latest from Science News

Headlines and summaries of the latest Science News articles, delivered to your inbox

Thank you for signing up!

There was a problem signing you up.

Spotlight on Health

Language models may miss signs of depression in Black people’s Facebook posts

Researchers hope to use social media posts to identify population-wide spikes in depression. That approach could miss Black people, a study shows.

What can period blood reveal about a person’s health?

Immune cells’ intense reaction to the coronavirus may lead to pneumonia, from the archives.

How to Stop a Biological Clock

March 9, 1974 Vol. 105 No. #10

Science News Magazine

April 20, 2024 Vol. 205 No. 8

A new study has linked microplastics to heart attacks and strokes. Here’s what we know 

Dogs know words for their favorite toys.

Featured Media

How brain implants are treating depression

This six-part series follows people whose lives have been changed by an experimental treatment called deep brain stimulation.

Explore the expected life spans of different dog breeds

Does this drone image show a newborn white shark? Experts aren’t sure

Parrots can move along thin branches using ‘beakiation’

How ghostly neutrinos could explain the universe’s matter mystery, follow science news.

• Follow Science News on X
• Follow Science News on Facebook
• Follow Science News on Instagram

More Stories

This marine alga is the first known eukaryote to pull nitrogen from air

During a total solar eclipse, some colors really pop. here’s why, this is the first egg-laying amphibian found to feed its babies ‘milk’.

These are the chemicals that give teens pungent body odor

Here’s why covid-19 isn’t seasonal so far, human embryo replicas have gotten more complex. here’s what you need to know, ‘on the move’ examines how climate change will alter where people live, waterlogged soils can give hurricanes new life after they arrive on land.

How a 19th century astronomer can help you watch the total solar eclipse

Jwst spies hints of a neutron star left behind by supernova 1987a, astronomers are puzzled over an enigmatic companion to a pulsar, physicists take a major step toward making a nuclear clock, a teeny device can measure subtle shifts in earth’s gravitational field, health & medicine, aimee grant investigates the needs of autistic people, teens are using an unregulated form of thc. here’s what we know.

Polar forests may have just solved a solar storm mystery

Earth’s oldest known earthquake was probably triggered by plate tectonics, climate change is changing how we keep time, science & society.

In ‘Get the Picture,’ science helps explore the meaning of art

What  science news  saw during the solar eclipse, your last-minute guide to the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.

Not a subscriber? Become one now .

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 great research paper topics.

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Articles & Media

Books & eBooks

Get Topics for Current Events Papers

Can't think of a topic, get paper topics, ready for research, top books & ebooks collections, cq researcher, issues & controversies.

Also consider

• Make sure your topic meets the guidelines set by your instructor. The easiest way to do this is to have your assignment with you when you choose your topic. It can be helpful to highlight key requirements so you can stay focused.
• Choose a topic that is of interest to you. You will be spending quite a bit of time doing research and writing your paper--interest in the topic can make the process much easier.
• If there are any doubts, consult with your instructor.

 Go to COM Library's Current Events Databases

These are growing collections of eBooks that have great coverage of current and controversial issues. 

Click on Browse Topics on the home page to see a drop down list of all the major topics covered in CQ Researcher or browse the Hot Topics list. Clicking on any topic will result in a list of all reports available on that topic.

Want more? Try  How to Use CQ Researcher . 

Get ideas from the home page or go to the Browse Topics page. Access from the dark grey toolbar below the Global Issues banner. Once you've selected a topic, you'll find a variety of sources on your topic, including videos, images, news, academic journal articles, statistics, expert picks and viewpoints.

Want more? Try  How to Use Opposing Viewpoints .

Browse through Issues by Subject until you find one you like. You can also use the Issues A-Z list to get ideas for topics.

Want more? Try  How to Use Issues & Controversies . 

• Last Updated: Apr 8, 2024 12:07 PM
• URL: https://libguides.com.edu/TipsTopics

© 2023 COM Library 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, Texas 77591 409-933-8448 . FAX 409-933-8030 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License Class Poll

Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues

• Finding a Research Topic
• Current Events and Controversial Issues
• Computer Science
• Earth Science & Astronomy
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Mathematics & Physics
• Physical Therapy
• Political Science
• Social Work
• Research Topic Guides

Food for Thought

When writing on controversial issues, exercise caution when considering a topic that has the potential to be overdone.  Issues such as gun control, abortion, corporal punishment, etc. have been written about so much for so long that it may be difficult to find something new to add to the conversation. Here are a few databases that have extensive browse for topic features:

• Why search here? The place to go to prepare for a debate, discussion, research paper, or persuasive writing assignment.
• What's included? Explores more than 800 hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture..

• Why search here? This database centers on the key social issues of our time.
• What's included? Opposing Viewpoints is a rich resource for debaters and includes viewpoints, reference articles, infographics, news, images, video, audio, and more.
• Why search here? Contains resources that present multiple sides of an issue.
• What's included? Points of View Reference Center contains many topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument) and counterpoint (opposing argument). For each topic, this database also offers a Guide to Critical Analysis, which helps the reader evaluate the controversial topics.

Controversial Issues

• Abstinence only education
• Affirmative Action
• Alternative medicine
• America's global influence
• Animal Testing
• Artificial intelligence
• Assisted suicide
• Bilingual education
• Book banning
• Capital punishment
• Charter schools
• Childhood obesity
• Civil rights
• Climate change
• Concealed weapons
• Cryptocurrency
• Cyber bullying 
• Death penalty
• Drug legalization
• Eating disorders
• Energy crisis
• Ethnic Adoption
• Factory farming
• Foreign aid
• Freedom of speech
• Genetic Cloning
• Genetic engineering
• Hacking 
• Health insurance
• Human Trafficking
• Identity theft
• Immigration
• Labor unions
• Local food movement
• Mandatory National Service
• Minimum wage
• Nuclear energy
• Organic food
• Offshore drilling
• Outsourcing
• Plastic Surgery
• Racial profiling
• Recreational Marijuana
• Roe v. Wade
• School safety
• School uniforms
• Second Amendment
• Self-defense laws
• Self-driving cars
• Sex education
• Social security
• Standardized testing
• Student Loan Debt
• Urban agriculture
• Violence in the media
• Women's rights
• Zero tolerance policies

Current Events

• 2020 Census
• Affordable Care Act
• Afghanistan crisis 
• Arming teachers
• Black Lives Matter
• Brazil political crisis
• Confederate memorials
• COVID-19 vaccines & mandates
• Cybersecurity
• Electoral College
• Equal Rights Amendment
• Federal interest rates
• Filibuster 
• Gender nutral restrooms
• Gerrymandering
• Government shut down
• Hate speech
• Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
• Impeachment
• Internet privacy
• Iran nuclear deal
• Islamophobia
• Lethal Injections
• Marijuana legalization
• Mass incarceration
• Mass shooting
• Medical Devices
• Me Too movement
• Migrant crisis
• Mueller Report
• Net neutrality
• North Dakota Access Pipeline
• North Korea
• Paris Climate Agreement
• Planned Parenthood
• Poverty gap
• Prescription drug addiction
• Racism in America
• Refugee crisis
• Russian hacking
• Sanctuary city
• School violence
• Sexual assault on campus
• Supreme Court Justice oversight
• Syrian civil war
• Transgender rights
• Trump, Donald
• UK leaving EU (Brexit)
• Vaccination
• Voter fraud
• Voting laws
• Warehouse Working Conditions (Amazon, UPS, Walmart)
• White nationalism
• << Previous: Finding a Research Topic
• Next: Art >>
• Last Updated: Jun 13, 2023 11:38 AM
• URL: https://southern.libguides.com/researchtopics

📕 Studying HQ

130 + best current event essay topics & current event essay example, bob cardens.

• July 29, 2022

This article covers a list over 130 Current Event Essay Topics and a Current Event Essay Example. It also discusses the ho to choose a Current Event Essay Topic that best fits your interests.

Current events essays are common assignments given by English professors which means learning to write them is a key to passing and succeeding in English class. Writing an essay may seem like a simple assignment, but when it is due tomorrow, a blank word document and piles of books can seem paralyzing.

What You'll Learn

Current Event Essay

A current events essay is a written description of a recent situation, issue, or happening. Current events essays are often assigned by English professors as a way to teach students about the research, writing, and editing process.

Properties of Current Events Essays

• Are written in standard essay format
• Include in-text citations and follow a specific citation format
• Summarize a recent or upcoming event known to the public

You may also be interested to read about Argumentative business essay topics

How to choose your topic

Sometimes a current events essay assignment will provide specific instructions about what topic to write about.

Other times, students will have more flexibility in choosing a topic. Be sure to carefully review your assignment’s rubric and instructions.

If you will be choosing your own topic, make note of the following before you narrow down topic choices:

1. Do the instructions place any time constraints on your topic? In other words, does your current event have to be something that happened within the last year or can it be something that happened five years ago?

2. Does your topic need to relate to a specific industry or genre such as politics, sports, or business?

3. Are there any analytical components that are supposed to be addressed by your essay or are it purely descriptive?

How to Research Efficiently

Tackling the research process can, no doubt, feel a bit intimidating. Here are some basic steps for getting started:

1. Know how many sources you will need  so that you can allow enough time to research.

2. Choose credible sources.  This will depend on the instructions you are given. some professors allow business or media articles while others will only want scholarly sources.

3. Know exactly what you are looking for  before you start your research. Jot down three or four main bullet points of what you will be looking for while you are researching.

Think of these points like a road map. They will guide your reading so you know what passages will be relevant to your paper.

Usually, you will be looking for information that relates to the  What, Where, When, Who, Why,  and  How  aspects of your topic.

Best Current Event Essay Topics

Politics current event essay topics.

• How will Black Lives Matter affect the 2020 elections?
• Should the police be defunded?
• How is the Trump presidency changing international relationships?
• How should the U.S. respond to cyber hacking by Russia, China, and other countries?
• Should the United States raise the minimum wage for workers?
• How can cities in the U.S. be better designed to create a safer and more economically productive community?
• Is the U.S. economy becoming stronger or weaker?
• How will COVID-19 change working in America? Around the world?
• Getting “off the grid” is a current trend. What is the benefit of becoming self-sufficient? Is it worth the cost?
• Does better health care for everyone make a better and stronger economy in the U.S.?
• Does it make sense to give U.S. citizenship to all babies born in the United States?
• Gallup polls show that Americans view Unemployment and the economy as the top problem in the United States. Does evidence suggest they are right?
• What are the different sides of the current debate over immigration reform in the U.S.?
• Does the United States have a good or a poor educational system compared to the rest of the world?
• How important is it to reduce the Federal budget deficit?
• What will be the most important issues in the next Presidential election cycle?
• What is causing the increasingly high cost of healthcare in the United States?
• Should the U.S. continue using drone strikes against terrorists?
• How is the current U.S. drought going to affect the fire season and food supply?
• Should the death penalty be outlawed throughout the U.S.?
• Should the U.S. aggressively work to change towards alternative energies like solar and wind power?
• What is the best way to create new jobs in the United States to get people back to work?
• Is the United States responsible for keeping peace around the world? What role should the U.S. play in preventing or intervening in wars and abusive governments?
• Should the United States fund college education more for people? What should be the rules for the repayment of loans?
• Should the United States make it easier for educated people or people with valuable skills to immigrate to the United States?
• How can the Borders of the United States be made more secure? How important is border security?
• Should it be easier for people to become United States citizens?
• What infrastructure projects should be the top domestic priority in the United States?
• How has the high incarceration rate in the United States affected the economy? What Federal and State policies have driven up this incarceration rate?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected the debate about racism in the United States?

You may also be interested to read about Argumentative Essay Topics about Social Media

Sports Current Event Essay Topics

• Should sports teams play to empty stands rather than not play at all?
• How will COVID-19 affect sports in the future?
• Should college football players receive a salary or other compensation for their playing?
• Should the owner of a professional team be held accountable for the comments he makes in a private conversation?
• Is it worth it for a city to invest in building a bigger and better stadium for its professional sports team?
• What is the value of a college sports team for a college? How does this help the college in terms of getting financial support from alumni? Attracting students? Supporting the economy of their community?
• What is the difference between sports and entertainment?
• How have new technologies made by watching sports different? Is the experience of watching sports better or worse than it was before?
• Which is more interesting to watch, college or professional sports?
• What sports should be taken out or added to the Olympic games?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports? What should be the rules about these drugs? Should athletes who used them in the past before they were outlawed be prevented from being entered into Hall of Fame?
• Is racism in sports a problem?
• Should athletes protest racism in America by not participating in the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance?
• Is participating in organized sports a good or bad idea for young people?
• Is it better for young people to specialize in one sport from a young age? Or should they try a variety of sports?
• Choose your favorite sport. What is the best way for coaches to identify the best talent in their specific sport? Are there better ways to pick a team?
• How much of a role do parents play in developing top talent in their children? What is the best way parents can help develop their children’s sports career? What are the worst mistakes parents make?
• Can fan-owned teams solve sports problems?

World Issues Current Event Essay Topics

• How will COVID-19 change the world economy?
• Is WHO and organization that provides the information we can trust?
• Is the International Space Station a good way to bridge differences between nations, or is it vulnerable to become a political tool?
• Are we heading towards a 3rd World War?
• Is N.A.T.O. and an effective organization?
• How can the International Community prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? How important is it that Iran not be allowed nuclear weaponry?
• What is the effect on Africa on the fact that many children have been forced to be soldiers?
• Is the EU going to survive the current economic problems countries have been having? Should the EU nations separate their economies?
• Is violence along the border of Mexico getting better?
• How can ethnic killings be stopped in Sudan?
• Is China easing up in restrictions for Religion or not? Are human rights better or worse in China than in the past?
• Should women’s issues be more important in international affairs?
• Is China about to overtake the United States economically?
• What is the effect of piracy on the stability of world commerce? How important is it to stop African pirates?
• Is there a better way to fight the war against drugs internationally?
• Is China starting to deal with their pollution problem?
• How has social media helped positively influence the world?
• Is India a poor nation or an emerging superpower?
• How can we stop the world population from reaching 9 billion in 2050? Is it important to work to limit world population growth?
• Should the world follow Bhutan’s development model?
• How healthy is the Indian Judicial System?
• Why do African nations have so many civil wars?
• Has foreign aid hurt Africa more than helping it?
• How has the influence of western media hurt underdeveloped nations?
• Does Colonialism still affect the nations that were colonized? Pick a nation and explain the continuing problems in that nation due to the history of being colonized.

Health and Medicine Current Event EssayTopics

• What can we do to better prepare ourselves for pandemics in the future?
• What are the lessons the medical community will learn from COVID-19?
• Are E-Cigarettes less harmful than smoking?
• Why do people oppose the Affordable Care Act?
• Does spending time on media cause children to have mental health problems?
• How is the job of frontline health workers like pharmacists, nurses, and doctors going to change?
• Is it possible to get AIDS infection rates to zero?
• What is preventing the world from eradicating polio?
• How are new technologies changing health care?
• What are the current trends in research about helping people break out of addictive behaviors?
• Traditional Chinese Medicine birth practices like eating the placenta (which in Western countries is usually encapsulated by being steamed dried and ground into pills) are becoming popular among some celebrities. What is the benefit of this practice? Is there any scientific evidence it works?
• Does making a city a “no smoking zone” really benefit health? Does it stop people from smoking, or help them quit? Does it result in fewer smokers in that city?
• What is the best diet for people with heart disease in their family history?
• The length of the average life continues to increase. What does current research say about the best lifestyle for someone who wants to live to be 100?
• Research is finding that what we think a medicine or food will do sometimes affects the way our body reacts. What is the evidence that our mind controls our body?
• Current health food trends include eating “superfoods” or going “gluten-free.” Take a current food trend and investigate the scientific evidence that this helps people have better health.
• What is the benefit of taking a daily low dose of Aspirin for older people?

As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us. (Current Event Essay Topics )

You can also check out Profile Essay Examples

Media and Entertainment Current Event Essay Topics

• How has Twitter changed Entertainment news? What are the most recent scandals made bigger because of Tweets?
• Is it inevitable that teenage stars eventually turn to drugs, alcohol, or other destructive behavior?
• Are female stars fighting back effectively against being judged by their looks, and especially by their weight?
• Which celebrity does the best job of seeming to be authentic? Is there a celebrity who seems to be as nice as they appear? How can fans know?
• How have shows like “Project Runway” influenced fashion? Have they motivated people to become more creative and personal in what they wear?
• In what way does the attention of the media on religious figures like The Pope affect the way they behave?
• Are the recent Christian movies helping win the culture wars?
• Why are cooking shows like “Chopped” popular?
• What is the best recent film adapted from a novel?
• What are the best movies in the current year? Do the Academy Awards winners reflect the very best movies?
• Is recap culture hurting television?
• Recently, scripts from pro-wrestling have been released showing that the storyline is written even though the wrestling is improved. Analyze how pro-wrestling is similar to other forms of live or taped entertainment.
• Which current actors from Bollywood or other film industry outside of the U.S. seem most likely to make it big in Hollywood?
• Does getting involved in a scandal hurt or help a celebrity’s career?
• Does being on American Idol, The Voice or other singing contest help an artist’s career? Do winners do better than other contestants?
• Pick one of the current Reality T.V. shows to investigate. How “Real” are these shows? What is done for entertainment value more than for depicting real life? Do these shows hurt or help the people on them?

Controversial Issues Current Event Essay Topics

• Affirmative Action
• Alternative medicine
• America’s global influence
• Artificial intelligence
• Assisted suicide
• Bilingual education
• Capital punishment
• Charter schools
• Childhood obesity
• Civil rights
• Climate change
• Cryptocurrency
• Cyber bullying
• Drug legalization
• Eating disorders
• Factory farming
• Foreign aid
• Freedom of speech
• Genetic engineering
• Health insurance
• Immigration
• Labor unions
• Minimum wage
• Nuclear energy
• Organic food
• Offshore drilling
• Outsourcing
• Racial profiling
• Reparations
• Screen addiction
• Self-driving cars
• Sex education
• Smart speakers
• Social security
• Standardized testing
• Urban agriculture
• Violence in the media
• Women’s rights
• Zero tolerance policies

Current Event Essay Example

The negative social impacts of “tomorrowland music festival” essay.

“Tomorrowland” is among the biggest global music events that were first launched in 2005. Despite the benefits of this festival for the local community, such as increased economic activity and employment, “Tomorrowland” has also been criticized for the presence of drugs on-site, the issues with cleaning up the location after the festival, local community’s quality of life, and noise pollution.

According to Turner (2017), during events such as Tomorrowland, “police generally occupy a low-key role at festivals with a focus on the seizure of drugs, rather than arrests” (241). Hence, the youth attending this event is exposed to drugs and seeing people around them be under the influence.

Another issue with Tomorrowland is the effect that this festival has on the local community. According to Pavluković et al. (2018), the governments and organizers of festivals usually cite the economic benefits of these events but fail to acknowledge the discomfort the locals feel. An obvious environmental impact is trash left behind by the visitors, which requires the administration of the festival to invest in clearing the site after “Tomorrowland” is over.

Adbulredha et al. (2017) argue that major music festivals generate substantial quantities of solid waste, an estimated “0.89 kg per guest” (p. 388). This problem affects the environment negatively since this waste includes non-recyclable objects or items that need to be collected and send for recycling.

Finally, noise pollution due to the powerful sound systems used by “Tomorrowland’s” performers, which can affect the hearing of the people attending the festival and cause discomfort to the community members, is also a problem.

Overall, although “Tomorrowland” is an important cultural event that has multiple benefits, it also endangers the youth and the environment and causes discomfort for the locals.

Abdulredha, M., Al Khaddar, R., Jordan, D., Kot, P., Abdulridha, A., & Hashim, K. (2018). Estimating solid waste generation by hospitality industry during major festivals: A quantification model based on multiple regression.  Waste Management, 77 , 388-400. Web.

Pavluković V., Armenski T., Alcántara-Pilar J.M. (2019) The impact of music festivals on local communities and their quality of life: Comparation of Serbia and Hungary. In A. Campón-Cerro A., J. Hernández-Mogollón, & J. Folgado-Fernández (Eds.), Best practices in hospitality and tourism marketing and management. Applying quality of life research (pp. 217-237). Springer.

Turner, T. (2017). Space, drugs and Disneyfication. An Ethnography of British youth in Ibiza. [Doctoral dissertation, Coventry University]. CURVE.

You can also check out Best Classification Essay Topics 

Related FAQs

1. what are the components of a current events essay.

A well-written, “current events essay” has four main components: Research: Make sure that you’re getting your news from a reputable source. Online news sources like Google News and any national news syndication Web site are good, convenient sources from which to gather reputable information and compile research data.

2. How to write a narrative discussion analysis article about current events?

The eply a narrative discussion analysis article, Current Event, include: (1)’s significance, relevance, relationship PUBLIC ADMINISTATION, (2) student’s opinion article’s public administration issue / problem, (3) supported (4) -text reference citations pages text 300 words.

3. How to write an essay about a recent event?

Select a recent article. Your task is to write about a current event; therefore, you have to choose the material that is one or two days old, maximum, one week old. The topic must be appropriate.

4. How to write a summary for a current event assignment?

Choose an article that is fresh since the assignment is to write about a current event. In addition, choose an article on the correct topic and make sure that the article gives enough information. Prepare to write the summary by reading the entire article.

All Essays Articles

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow. 

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS. 

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You​

Have a subject expert write for you now, have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, popular topics.

Business StudyingHq Essay Topics and Ideas How to Guides Samples

• Nursing Solutions
• Study Guides
• Free Study Database for Essays
• Privacy Policy
• Writing Service 
• Discounts / Offers 

Study Hub: 

• Studying Blog
• Topic Ideas 
• How to Guides
• Business Studying 
• Nursing Studying 
• Literature and English Studying

Writing Tools  

• Citation Generator
• Topic Generator
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Conclusion Maker
• Research Title Generator
• Thesis Statement Generator
• Summarizing Tool
• Terms and Conditions
• Confidentiality Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Refund and Revision Policy

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty. 

Contact Us:

📧 [email protected]

📞 +15512677917

2012-2024 © studyinghq.com. All rights reserved

TODAY'S HOURS:

Research Topic Ideas

Getting started, 1. brainstorming for a topic, 2. read general background information, 3. focus your topic, more research help.

• Area & Interdisciplinary Studies
• Behavioral & Social Sciences
• Business, Economics, & Management
• Current Events and Controversial Issues
• Education & Social Work
• Health Sciences
• Natural and Physical Sciences

This guide provides you with a list of topic ideas (by subject or academic discipline) which could be developed into a research paper or project. It is not an all-inclusive list, but a list developed over time with input from faculty and students.

It is intended to offer suggestions only.

This is NOT a guide to help you research a topic. It is only intended to provide ideas for a paper.

The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An instructor may assign you a specific topic, but most often instructors require you to select your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that you will need to do:

• Brainstorm for ideas.
• Choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the articles and books you find.
• Ensure that the topic is manageable and that material is available.
• Make a list of key words.
• Be flexible. You may have to broaden or narrow your topic to fit your assignment or the sources you find.

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. Before selecting your final topic, make sure you know what your final project should look like. Each class or instructor will likely require a different format or style of research project.

Choose a topic that interests you. Use the following questions to help generate topic ideas.

• Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy?
• Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or made you angry or anxious?
• Do you have a personal issue, problem, or interest that you would like to know more about?
• Is there an aspect of a class that you are interested in learning more about?

Write down any key words or concepts that may be of interest to you. These terms can be helpful in your searching and used to form a more focused research topic.

Be aware of overused ideas when deciding a topic. You may wish to avoid topics such as abortion, gun control, teen pregnancy, or suicide unless you feel you have a unique approach to the topic. Ask the instructor for ideas if you feel you are stuck or need additional guidance.

Sometimes using a  Concept Map  can help you come up with directions to take your research.

• Topic Concept Map Download and print this PDF to create a concept map for your topic. Put your main topic in the middle circle and then put ideas related to your topic on the lines radiating from the circle.

Read a general 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. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your later research.

If you can't find an article on your topic, try using broader terms and ask for help from a librarian.

The databases listed below are good places to find general information. The library's print reference collection can also be useful and is located on the third floor of the library.

Authoritative coverage of thousands of topics in all areas of study.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's latest article database (including hundreds of articles not found in the print edition), Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus, and the Britannica Book of the Year (1994-present), with thousands of web links selected by editors. Updated daily.

Fully indexed, cross-searchable database of over 400 dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works published by Oxford University Press. Includes subject reference works in the humanities, social sciences, and science--both "Quick Reference" titles (concise dictionaries, etc.) and larger "Reference Library" titles (multi-volume encyclopedias, etc.).

Covers anthropology, communication, education, geography, health, history, law, management, politics, psychology, and sociology.

Concise introductions to a diverse range of subject areas in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.

Keep it manageable and be flexible. If you start doing more research and not finding enough sources that support your thesis, you may need to adjust your topic.

A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit your topic. Some common ways to limit a topic are:

• by geographic area

Example: What environmental issues are most important in the Southwestern United States?

• by time frame:

Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the last 10 years?

• by discipline

Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices today?

• by population group

Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?

Remember that a topic may be too difficult to research if it is too:

• locally confined - Topics this specific may only be covered in local newspapers and not in scholarly articles.

Example: What sources of pollution affect the Genesee County water supply?

• recent - If a topic is quite recent, books or journal articles may not be available, but newspaper or magazine articles may. Also, websites related to the topic may or may not be available.
• broadly interdisciplinary - You could be overwhelmed with superficial information.

Example: How can the environment contribute to the culture, politics and society of the Western United States?

• popular - You will only find very popular articles about some topics such as sports figures and high-profile celebrities and musicians.

Putting your topic in the form of a question will help you focus on what type of information you want to collect.

If you have any difficulties or questions with focusing your topic, discuss the topic with your instructor, or with a librarian.

For more help with the research help, please see our Research Help Guides:

• Research Process by Liz Svoboda Last Updated Mar 1, 2024 6815 views this year
• Primary Sources for Historical Research: A Library Guide by Reference Librarians Last Updated Mar 28, 2024 65 views this year
• Understanding Journals: Peer-Reviewed, Scholarly, & Popular by Liz Svoboda Last Updated Jan 10, 2024 1100 views this year
• Identifying Information Sources by Liz Svoboda Last Updated Mar 13, 2024 1630 views this year
• Next: Area & Interdisciplinary Studies >>
• Last Updated: Mar 1, 2024 1:06 PM
• URL: https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics

What caused Dubai floods? Experts cite climate change, not cloud seeding

• Medium Text

DID CLOUD SEEDING CAUSE THE STORM?

CAN'T CREATE CLOUDS FROM NOTHING

Sign up here.

Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Maha El Dahan and Alexandra Hudson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Nigeria's oil regulator on Thursday clarified that recent changes to fuel sulphur content standards for diesel are part of a regional harmonisation effort, not a relaxation of regulations for local refineries.

World Chevron

Yellen says range of options to deal with frozen Russian assets

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday the outright seizure of Russian assets is justifiable but is only one possibility, with assets instead able to serve as collateral for borrowing in the market to help Ukraine.

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals

Ecology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment. It considers processes that occur at the population, community and ecosystem levels and has a particular focus on biodiversity.

Ecological role of offshore structures

Oil and gas installations, offshore windfarms and other artificial constructions may enhance marine ecosystems and have been proposed to help meet conservation targets. A study synthesizes existing literature to reveal global patterns in their ecological effectiveness.

• Andrew R. Gates
• Daniel O. B. Jones

Uncovering drivers of global tree diversity

Plant species diversity declines from tropical to temperate latitudes. Local neighbourhood interactions among species that favour heterospecifics over conspecifics may have a role in shaping this latitudinal diversity gradient, but perhaps not as traditionally thought.

• Joseph A. LaManna

Surprise hybrid origins of a butterfly species

Mating between different species has often been considered an evolutionary dead end, but a study in longwing butterflies suggests that such hybridization could underlie the origins of a new species.

• Megan E. Frayer
• Jenn M. Coughlan

Related Subjects

• Agroecology
• Animal migration
• Behavioural ecology
• Biodiversity
• Biogeochemistry
• Biogeography
• Biooceanography
• Boreal ecology
• Climate-change ecology
• Community ecology
• Conservation biology
• Ecological epidemiology
• Ecological genetics
• Ecological modelling
• Ecological networks
• Ecophysiology
• Ecosystem ecology
• Ecosystem services
• Environmental economics
• Evolutionary ecology
• Fire ecology
• Forest ecology
• Freshwater ecology
• Grassland ecology
• Invasive species
• Macroecology
• Microbial ecology
• Molecular ecology
• Palaeoecology
• Population dynamics
• Restoration ecology
• Riparian ecology
• Stable isotope analysis
• Theoretical ecology
• Tropical ecology
• Urban ecology
• Wetlands ecology

Latest Research and Reviews

Biodiversity patterns of the coral reef cryptobiota around the Arabian Peninsula

• Rodrigo Villalobos
• Eva Aylagas
• Susana Carvalho

Regional food self-sufficiency potential in the European Alpine space

• Caroline Pecher
• Thomas Marsoner
• Erich Tasser

Increasing obsidian diversity during the Chalcolithic Period at Yeghegis-1 Rockshelter (Armenia) reveals shifts in land use and social networks

• Ellery Frahm
• Mariam Saribekyan
• Mariya Antonosyan

Large variation in carbon dioxide emissions from tropical peat swamp forests due to disturbances

Reductions in groundwater level due to El Niño-induced drought events changed an undrained tropical peat swamp forest from a carbon dioxide sink to a source with cumulative impacts of drainage and smoke haze further enhancing long term emissions, suggest long-term field experiments in Indonesia.

• Takashi Hirano
• Shinjiro Ohkubo
• Mitsuru Osaki

Whole-ocean network design and implementation pathway for Arctic marine conservation

• Timothy D. James
• Martin Sommerkorn
• Irina S. Trukhanova

Reservoir ecosystems support large pools of fish biomass

• Christine A. Parisek
• Francine A. De Castro
• Andrew L. Rypel

News and Comment

Hello puffins, goodbye belugas: changing Arctic fjord hints at our climate future

Stunning images show an ecosystem’s upheaval as it warms at an alarming pace.

• Freda Kreier

Mycetocola to the rescue

In this study, Carrasco Flores et al. report that the bacterium Mycetocola lacteus protects the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii from the antagonistic activity of Pseudomonas protegens .

• Agustina Taglialegna

Genome editing and sustainable agriculture

Exploring potential synergies of genome editing with modes of agriculture, such as agroecology, could help food security and environmental integrity.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is ‘transforming’ because of repeated coral bleaching

The coral reef is experiencing its worst mass bleaching event on record — and warming waters brought on by climate change are to blame.

• Bianca Nogrady

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

• Skip to main content
• Skip to FDA Search
• Skip to in this section menu
• Skip to footer links

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

•   Search
•   Menu
• Medical Devices
• Medical Devices News and Events

CDRH Issues 2024 Safety and Innovation Reports

Reports highlight CDRH actions to advance medical device safety and innovation and build on these efforts this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2024

The following is attributed to Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)

Today, CDRH is issuing two companion reports that detail the Center's commitment to further advance our core pillars of safety and innovation. The CDRH 2024 Safety Report is an update to our 2018 Medical Device Safety Action Plan and features steps we have taken in recent years to assure the safety of medical devices keeps pace with the evolving technology. The CDRH 2024 Innovation Report highlights our work to advance innovation and the progress we have made to make the U.S. market more attractive to top device developers.

As we have long stated, safety and innovation are not polar opposites, but rather two sides of the same coin. Our focus on safety and innovation stems from our vision to protect and promote the public health by assuring that medical devices on the U.S. market are high-quality, safe and effective, and that patients and providers have timely and continued access to these devices.

Since 2009, CDRH has focused our efforts on advancing the development of safer, more effective medical devices that provide a significant benefit to the public health. As such, we enhanced our clinical trial and premarket review programs, including the 510(k) and De Novo pathways, and created new programs like the Breakthrough Devices Program , the Safety and Performance Based Pathway and the Safer Technologies Program to help reduce barriers for innovators. As a result of these actions and other past and ongoing efforts, the number of innovative medical devices authorized annually in the U.S. has increased five-fold since 2009.

In parallel, we took significant actions to improve device safety and enhanced our ability to identify and address new safety signals. We achieved an ambitious set of goals outlined in our 2018 Medical Device Safety Action Plan to help ensure patient safety throughout the Total Product Life Cycle (TPLC) of a medical device. We made improvements and updates to our medical device reporting programs, including updating the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, vastly improved our recalls program, and took steps to ensure the timely communication and resolution of new or known safety issues.

And throughout, we partnered with patients and incorporated their voices into our work, including establishing our Patient Science and Engagement Program, because at the end of the day, improving the health and the quality of life of people is at the core of our public health mission.

We are proud of the progress we've made to advance innovation and improve the safety of medical devices, and we continue to build on these efforts, as resources and additional capabilities permit. One of the challenges we face, though, is the sheer volume of products and producers. Today there about 257,000 different types of medical devices on the U.S. market, made by approximately 22,000 manufacturing facilities worldwide, and CDRH authorizes roughly a dozen new or modified devices every business day. Despite that, the number of new or increased known safety issues involve only a small fraction of technologies and many can be addressed without any changes to the device itself. However, the impact to people can be significant, which is why we need to continuously take steps to advance both safety and innovation.

This year, we will take additional actions to help further ensure innovative, high-quality, safe, and effective devices are developed and marketed to U.S. patients. As further detailed in the 2024 Innovation Report, three actions we plan to take this year include: reimagining our premarket review program, expanding our footprint in geographical innovation centers, and launching a new home as a health care hub to extend first-class care into the home. Additionally, as detailed in the 2024 Safety Report, three actions we plan to take this year include: expanding a program to assist companies improve their device quality efforts, strengthening active surveillance, and enhancing the medical device recall process.

Through these new actions and the work detailed in the 2024 Safety and Innovation reports, CDRH remains committed to furthering our mission to protect and promote the public health and ensure our organization is well-positioned to meet the needs of all people and changes in the medical device ecosystem.

Additional Resources:

• 2024 Innovation Report
• 2024 Safety Report
• 2018 Medical Device Safety Action Plan

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

How Pew Research Center will report on generations moving forward

Journalists, researchers and the public often look at society through the lens of generation, using terms like Millennial or Gen Z to describe groups of similarly aged people. This approach can help readers see themselves in the data and assess where we are and where we’re headed as a country.

Pew Research Center has been at the forefront of generational research over the years, telling the story of Millennials as they came of age politically and as they moved more firmly into adult life . In recent years, we’ve also been eager to learn about Gen Z as the leading edge of this generation moves into adulthood.

But generational research has become a crowded arena. The field has been flooded with content that’s often sold as research but is more like clickbait or marketing mythology. There’s also been a growing chorus of criticism about generational research and generational labels in particular.

Recently, as we were preparing to embark on a major research project related to Gen Z, we decided to take a step back and consider how we can study generations in a way that aligns with our values of accuracy, rigor and providing a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue.

A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations.

We set out on a yearlong process of assessing the landscape of generational research. We spoke with experts from outside Pew Research Center, including those who have been publicly critical of our generational analysis, to get their take on the pros and cons of this type of work. We invested in methodological testing to determine whether we could compare findings from our earlier telephone surveys to the online ones we’re conducting now. And we experimented with higher-level statistical analyses that would allow us to isolate the effect of generation.

What emerged from this process was a set of clear guidelines that will help frame our approach going forward. Many of these are principles we’ve always adhered to , but others will require us to change the way we’ve been doing things in recent years.

Here’s a short overview of how we’ll approach generational research in the future:

We’ll only do generational analysis when we have historical data that allows us to compare generations at similar stages of life. When comparing generations, it’s crucial to control for age. In other words, researchers need to look at each generation or age cohort at a similar point in the life cycle. (“Age cohort” is a fancy way of referring to a group of people who were born around the same time.)

When doing this kind of research, the question isn’t whether young adults today are different from middle-aged or older adults today. The question is whether young adults today are different from young adults at some specific point in the past.

To answer this question, it’s necessary to have data that’s been collected over a considerable amount of time – think decades. Standard surveys don’t allow for this type of analysis. We can look at differences across age groups, but we can’t compare age groups over time.

Another complication is that the surveys we conducted 20 or 30 years ago aren’t usually comparable enough to the surveys we’re doing today. Our earlier surveys were done over the phone, and we’ve since transitioned to our nationally representative online survey panel , the American Trends Panel . Our internal testing showed that on many topics, respondents answer questions differently depending on the way they’re being interviewed. So we can’t use most of our surveys from the late 1980s and early 2000s to compare Gen Z with Millennials and Gen Xers at a similar stage of life.

This means that most generational analysis we do will use datasets that have employed similar methodologies over a long period of time, such as surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. A good example is our 2020 report on Millennial families , which used census data going back to the late 1960s. The report showed that Millennials are marrying and forming families at a much different pace than the generations that came before them.

Even when we have historical data, we will attempt to control for other factors beyond age in making generational comparisons. If we accept that there are real differences across generations, we’re basically saying that people who were born around the same time share certain attitudes or beliefs – and that their views have been influenced by external forces that uniquely shaped them during their formative years. Those forces may have been social changes, economic circumstances, technological advances or political movements.

When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

The tricky part is isolating those forces from events or circumstances that have affected all age groups, not just one generation. These are often called “period effects.” An example of a period effect is the Watergate scandal, which drove down trust in government among all age groups. Differences in trust across age groups in the wake of Watergate shouldn’t be attributed to the outsize impact that event had on one age group or another, because the change occurred across the board.

Changing demographics also may play a role in patterns that might at first seem like generational differences. We know that the United States has become more racially and ethnically diverse in recent decades, and that race and ethnicity are linked with certain key social and political views. When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

Controlling for these factors can involve complicated statistical analysis that helps determine whether the differences we see across age groups are indeed due to generation or not. This additional step adds rigor to the process. Unfortunately, it’s often absent from current discussions about Gen Z, Millennials and other generations.

When we can’t do generational analysis, we still see value in looking at differences by age and will do so where it makes sense. Age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. And even if age gaps aren’t rooted in generational differences, they can still be illuminating. They help us understand how people across the age spectrum are responding to key trends, technological breakthroughs and historical events.

Each stage of life comes with a unique set of experiences. Young adults are often at the leading edge of changing attitudes on emerging social trends. Take views on same-sex marriage , for example, or attitudes about gender identity .

Many middle-aged adults, in turn, face the challenge of raising children while also providing care and support to their aging parents. And older adults have their own obstacles and opportunities. All of these stories – rooted in the life cycle, not in generations – are important and compelling, and we can tell them by analyzing our surveys at any given point in time.

When we do have the data to study groups of similarly aged people over time, we won’t always default to using the standard generational definitions and labels. While generational labels are simple and catchy, there are other ways to analyze age cohorts. For example, some observers have suggested grouping people by the decade in which they were born. This would create narrower cohorts in which the members may share more in common. People could also be grouped relative to their age during key historical events (such as the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic) or technological innovations (like the invention of the iPhone).

By choosing not to use the standard generational labels when they’re not appropriate, we can avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or oversimplifying people’s complex lived experiences.

Existing generational definitions also may be too broad and arbitrary to capture differences that exist among narrower cohorts. A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations. The key is to pick a lens that’s most appropriate for the research question that’s being studied. If we’re looking at political views and how they’ve shifted over time, for example, we might group people together according to the first presidential election in which they were eligible to vote.

With these considerations in mind, our audiences should not expect to see a lot of new research coming out of Pew Research Center that uses the generational lens. We’ll only talk about generations when it adds value, advances important national debates and highlights meaningful societal trends.

• Age & Generations
• Demographic Research
• Generation X
• Generation Z
• Generations
• Greatest Generation
• Methodological Research
• Millennials
• Silent Generation

Kim Parker is director of social trends research at Pew Research Center

How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time

Who are you the art and science of measuring identity, u.s. centenarian population is projected to quadruple over the next 30 years, older workers are growing in number and earning higher wages, teens, social media and technology 2023, most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Economy & Work
• Family & Relationships
• Gender & LGBTQ
• Immigration & Migration
• International Affairs
• Internet & Technology
• News Habits & Media
• Non-U.S. Governments
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Race & Ethnicity
• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy