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55 Brilliant Research Topics For STEM Students

Research Topics For STEM Students

Primarily, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a study program that weaves all four disciplines for cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve scientific problems. STEM touches across a broad array of subjects as STEM students are required to gain mastery of four disciplines.

As a project-based discipline, STEM has different stages of learning. The program operates like other disciplines, and as such, STEM students embrace knowledge depending on their level. Since it’s a discipline centered around innovation, students undertake projects regularly. As a STEM student, your project could either be to build or write on a subject. Your first plan of action is choosing a topic if it’s written. After selecting a topic, you’ll need to determine how long a thesis statement should be .

Given that topic is essential to writing any project, this article focuses on research topics for STEM students. So, if you’re writing a STEM research paper or write my research paper , below are some of the best research topics for STEM students.

List of Research Topics For STEM Students

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Several research topics can be formulated in this field. They cut across STEM science, engineering, technology, and math. Here is a list of good research topics for STEM students.

  • The effectiveness of online learning over physical learning
  • The rise of metabolic diseases and their relationship to increased consumption
  • How immunotherapy can improve prognosis in Covid-19 progression

For your quantitative research in STEM, you’ll need to learn how to cite a thesis MLA for the topic you’re choosing. Below are some of the best quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of the effect of digital technology on millennials
  • A futuristic study of a world ruled by robotics
  • A critical evaluation of the future demand in artificial intelligence

There are several practical research topics for STEM students. However, if you’re looking for qualitative research topics for STEM students, here are topics to explore.

  • An exploration into how microbial factories result in the cause shortage in raw metals
  • An experimental study on the possibility of older-aged men passing genetic abnormalities to children
  • A critical evaluation of how genetics could be used to help humans live healthier and longer.
Experimental research in STEM is a scientific research methodology that uses two sets of variables. They are dependent and independent variables that are studied under experimental research. Experimental research topics in STEM look into areas of science that use data to derive results.

Below are easy experimental research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of nuclear fusion and fission
  • An evaluation of the major drawbacks of Biotechnology in the pharmaceutical industry
  • A study of single-cell organisms and how they’re capable of becoming an intermediary host for diseases causing bacteria

Unlike experimental research, non-experimental research lacks the interference of an independent variable. Non-experimental research instead measures variables as they naturally occur. Below are some non-experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • Impacts of alcohol addiction on the psychological life of humans
  • The popularity of depression and schizophrenia amongst the pediatric population
  • The impact of breastfeeding on the child’s health and development

STEM learning and knowledge grow in stages. The older students get, the more stringent requirements are for their STEM research topic. There are several capstone topics for research for STEM students .

Below are some simple quantitative research topics for stem students.

  • How population impacts energy-saving strategies
  • The application of an Excel table processor capabilities for cost calculation
  •  A study of the essence of science as a sphere of human activity

Correlations research is research where the researcher measures two continuous variables. This is done with little or no attempt to control extraneous variables but to assess the relationship. Here are some sample research topics for STEM students to look into bearing in mind how to cite a thesis APA style for your project.

  • Can pancreatic gland transplantation cure diabetes?
  • A study of improved living conditions and obesity
  • An evaluation of the digital currency as a valid form of payment and its impact on banking and economy

There are several science research topics for STEM students. Below are some possible quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of protease inhibitor and how it operates
  • A study of how men’s exercise impacts DNA traits passed to children
  • A study of the future of commercial space flight

If you’re looking for a simple research topic, below are easy research topics for STEM students.

  • How can the problem of Space junk be solved?
  • Can meteorites change our view of the universe?
  • Can private space flight companies change the future of space exploration?

For your top 10 research topics for STEM students, here are interesting topics for STEM students to consider.

  • A comparative study of social media addiction and adverse depression
  • The human effect of the illegal use of formalin in milk and food preservation
  • An evaluation of the human impact on the biosphere and its results
  • A study of how fungus affects plant growth
  • A comparative study of antiviral drugs and vaccine
  • A study of the ways technology has improved medicine and life science
  • The effectiveness of Vitamin D among older adults for disease prevention
  • What is the possibility of life on other planets?
  • Effects of Hubble Space Telescope on the universe
  • A study of important trends in medicinal chemistry research

Below are possible research topics for STEM students about plants:

  • How do magnetic fields impact plant growth?
  • Do the different colors of light impact the rate of photosynthesis?
  • How can fertilizer extend plant life during a drought?

Below are some examples of quantitative research topics for STEM students in grade 11.

  • A study of how plants conduct electricity
  • How does water salinity affect plant growth?
  • A study of soil pH levels on plants

Here are some of the best qualitative research topics for STEM students in grade 12.

  • An evaluation of artificial gravity and how it impacts seed germination
  • An exploration of the steps taken to develop the Covid-19 vaccine
  • Personalized medicine and the wave of the future

Here are topics to consider for your STEM-related research topics for high school students.

  • A study of stem cell treatment
  • How can molecular biological research of rare genetic disorders help understand cancer?
  • How Covid-19 affects people with digestive problems

Below are some survey topics for qualitative research for stem students.

  • How does Covid-19 impact immune-compromised people?
  • Soil temperature and how it affects root growth
  • Burned soil and how it affects seed germination

Here are some descriptive research topics for STEM students in senior high.

  • The scientific information concept and its role in conducting scientific research
  • The role of mathematical statistics in scientific research
  • A study of the natural resources contained in oceans

Final Words About Research Topics For STEM Students

STEM topics cover areas in various scientific fields, mathematics, engineering, and technology. While it can be tasking, reducing the task starts with choosing a favorable topic. If you require external assistance in writing your STEM research, you can seek professional help from our experts.

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research topics stem

299+ Brilliant Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Unlock the doors to captivating qualitative research topics for STEM students. Delve into authentic narratives and firsthand encounters, illuminating perspectives beyond mere statistics.

Embark on this journey where numbers take a backseat, and human experiences steer the course. Imagine excavating undiscovered gems of wisdom, waiting to be unearthed.

Let’s kickstart this odyssey! Qualitative research beckons, offering a novel lens for STEM enthusiasts to navigate.

Table of Contents

How Do I Find Good Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students?

STEM students, want to explore the human side of science, tech, engineering, and math? Here’s how:

Connect Science with People

  • See what folks think about cool tech like gene editing.
  • Look into tough choices scientists face, like testing on animals.
  • Explore how tech changes our daily lives.

Peek into STEM Pros’ Lives

  • Find out what motivates scientists and engineers.
  • Check out what challenges STEM students face.
  • See how teamwork works in STEM fields.

Get Friendly with Tech’s Human Side

  • Study how people use new gadgets.
  • See how tech affects our behavior, like on social media.
  • Look into who gets access to tech and why.

Where STEM Meets Society

  • Figure out how scientists can explain their work better.
  • Explore the rules that shape tech and science.
  • Think about how STEM ideas can help with big issues like climate change.

Tips for Awesome Research

  • Pick a part of STEM you love.
  • Make sure you’ve got what you need for your research.
  • Keep an eye on the news and new tech.

Ready to dive into the fascinating world where STEM meets humanity? Let’s go!

List of Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Check out qualitative research topics for STEM:-

  • Public attitudes towards climate change policies.
  • Women’s experiences in STEM careers.
  • Cultural views on vaccination.
  • Citizen science impact on environmental efforts.
  • Interdisciplinary research team dynamics.
  • Public perceptions of genetic engineering.
  • Scientist experiences in extreme environments.
  • Alternative medicine acceptance.
  • Effectiveness of science outreach programs.
  • Cultural conservation practices and sustainability.
  • User experience with health monitoring devices.
  • Adoption of smart home tech across generations.
  • Challenges in using assistive technologies.
  • Social media’s impact on privacy.
  • Effects of digital gaming on cognition.
  • Attitudes towards autonomous vehicles.
  • Online learning user experiences.
  • Community dynamics in online platforms.
  • Access disparities in technology.
  • Technology’s role in environmental solutions.

Engineering

  • Public perception of renewable energy projects.
  • Engineers in humanitarian efforts.
  • Diversity challenges in engineering.
  • Traditional vs. modern construction attitudes.
  • Smart city initiatives’ stakeholder views.
  • Engineering roles in disaster response.
  • Usability in product design.
  • Diversity in engineering education.
  • Public opinion on nuclear energy.
  • Future of space exploration.

Mathematics

  • Math education for students with disabilities.
  • Cultural attitudes towards math.
  • Gender gap in math achievement.
  • Experiences in math competitions.
  • Math’s role in financial decision-making.
  • AI in mathematical modeling.
  • Teaching abstract math concepts.
  • Cultural approaches to math.
  • Math’s impact on job performance.
  • Math tutoring effectiveness.

Interdisciplinary

  • Bioethics in biomedical research.
  • Team collaboration in interdisciplinary research.
  • Cultural views on food science.
  • Challenges in interdisciplinary education.
  • STEM’s role in global challenges.
  • Science communication experiences.
  • STEM education reform effectiveness.
  • Indigenous knowledge and Western science.
  • STEM career development by culture.
  • AI and robotics in healthcare.

Health and Medicine

  • Patient experience with telemedicine.
  • Attitudes towards mental health treatment.
  • Socioeconomic factors in healthcare access.
  • Personalized medicine acceptance.
  • Healthcare workers during COVID-19.
  • Public opinion on vaccination.
  • End-of-life care cultural beliefs.
  • Alternative therapy in healthcare.
  • Medical decision-making experiences.
  • Chronic illness psychosocial impacts.

Environment and Sustainability

  • Community views on conservation efforts.
  • Environmental activism experiences.
  • Cultural adaptation to climate change.
  • Green infrastructure acceptance.
  • Renewable energy stakeholder perspectives.
  • Indigenous community environmental struggles.
  • Sustainable agriculture cultural practices.
  • Citizen science in environmental monitoring.
  • Water conservation attitudes.
  • Environmental sustainability and social justice.
  • Inquiry-based learning impact.
  • Girls’ STEM education views.
  • Teacher training effectiveness.
  • Tech use in early childhood education.
  • Homeschooling in STEM.
  • Project-based learning outcomes.
  • Parental involvement in STEM.
  • Inclusive STEM education challenges.
  • Informal STEM learning impacts.
  • Socio-economic status in STEM education.

Social Sciences and Psychology

  • Gender roles in STEM.
  • Stereotype threat effects in STEM.
  • Diversity initiatives effectiveness.
  • First-generation student experiences.
  • Public science skepticism.
  • Cultural attitudes towards authority in science.
  • Psychological factors in STEM career choice.
  • Mentorship impact in STEM.
  • Career change to STEM experiences.
  • Lifelong learning in STEM.

Economics and Business

  • Tech innovation’s economic impact.
  • Entrepreneurship views across cultures.
  • Diversity in STEM entrepreneurship.
  • STEM’s role in economic growth.
  • Small business sustainability efforts.
  • Government policies for STEM.
  • Intellectual property views.
  • Globalization’s impact on STEM.
  • Corporate social responsibility in STEM.
  • Workplace diversity challenges.

Policy and Governance

  • Science diplomacy effectiveness.
  • Tech regulation across cultures.
  • Evidence-based policymaking in crises.
  • Government surveillance ethics.
  • Scientist involvement in policy.
  • Science funding prioritization.
  • Environmental regulation approaches.
  • STEM education policy impacts.
  • Government science literacy efforts.
  • Equity in STEM resources.

Ethics and Philosophy

  • Gene editing ethics.
  • Animal testing ethics.
  • AI ethics considerations.
  • STEM’s role in climate ethics.
  • Whistleblower experiences.
  • Research integrity in STEM.
  • Informed consent cultural differences.
  • Professional ethics in STEM.
  • Global health ethics.
  • Ethical dilemmas in STEM careers.

Communication and Media

  • Public engagement strategies.
  • Science portrayal in media.
  • Social media’s science impact.
  • Narrative storytelling in science.
  • Online science engagement.
  • Science documentary impacts.
  • Cultural science education approaches.
  • Visual communication in science.
  • Humor in science communication.
  • Misinformation combat strategies.

Arts and Humanities

  • Art-science collaborations.
  • Cultural representation in science.
  • Storytelling’s impact on science.
  • Visual arts in science outreach.
  • Artist-in-residence programs.
  • STEAM education effectiveness.
  • Artistic interpretations of science.
  • Indigenous science storytelling.
  • Women and minority contributions in STEM.
  • Creativity in scientific inquiry.

Global Issues and Development

  • Development aid effectiveness.
  • Climate change adaptation views.
  • Indigenous knowledge in sustainability.
  • Grassroots STEM efforts.
  • International health collaboration.
  • Water resource management approaches.
  • Globalization’s impact on culture.
  • STEM entrepreneurship in developing regions.
  • Refugee access to STEM.

History and Heritage

  • Underrepresented groups in STEM history.
  • Science throughout history.
  • Science preservation in museums.
  • Colonialism’s impact on science.
  • Scientific exploration experiences.
  • Science portrayal in historical narratives.
  • Cultural STEM education history.
  • Oral traditions in science.
  • Women and minority contributions in history.
  • Science in political upheavals.

Future Trends and Emerging Technologies

  • Human enhancement tech ethics.
  • AI’s impact on employment.
  • Space exploration future.
  • Blockchain’s industry potential.
  • Early adopter experiences.
  • Biometric surveillance ethics.
  • Emerging tech regulation views.
  • Quantum tech’s potential.
  • Renewable energy future.
  • Technological disruptions preparation.

Urbanization and Infrastructure

  • Sustainable urban development views.
  • Transportation infrastructure acceptance.
  • Urbanization’s biodiversity impact.
  • Green infrastructure benefits.
  • Urban access disparities.
  • Affordable housing attitudes.
  • Urban planning cultural variations.
  • Community engagement in development.
  • Tech integration in urban infrastructure.
  • Circular economy adoption.

Healthcare and Biomedicine

  • Gene editing ethics considerations.
  • Personalized medicine views.
  • Social determinants of health impact.
  • Telemedicine expansion acceptance.
  • Clinical trial participant experiences.
  • Organ transplantation ethics.
  • End-of-life care cultural practices.
  • Global health governance challenges.
  • Traditional medicine cultural roles.
  • Healthcare worker pandemic experiences.

Education and Learning

  • STEM education innovation impact.
  • Tech in education acceptance.
  • Socioeconomic impacts on education.
  • Informal STEM learning effects.
  • Inclusive STEM education experiences.
  • Lifelong learning cultural views.
  • Cultural STEM education approaches.
  • Online learning challenges.
  • Hands-on research experiences.

These condensed topics offer clear starting points for STEM students looking to dive into qualitative research across various fields.

Other Most Interesting Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Here are the unique Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

Other Most Interesting Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Interesting and Informative Research Topics For Senior High School STEM Students

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Here are the Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

What Is An Example of Qualitative Research In Science?

Let’s embark on a scientific adventure that goes beyond charts and graphs, diving into the human side of climate change. Picture this: a qualitative research expedition that’s more about stories and emotions than cold, hard numbers.

The Climate Chronicles: Unveiling the Human Tale of Change

Our intrepid scientists set out not just to measure rising temperatures but to capture the heartbeat of a coastal community experiencing the frontline impacts of climate change.

Mission Objectives

  • Discover the personal stories of locals as they navigate the ebb and flow of changing tides. How has the rising sea level rewritten the chapters of their lives?
  • Explore the emotional landscape. What fears, hopes, and coping mechanisms emerge when faced with the unpredictable forces of climate change?
  • Weave through the cultural fabric of the community’s relationship with the environment. How do these changes resonate culturally and emotionally?
  • Highlight the community’s resilience. What communal efforts or practices have sprung up as a response to the environmental challenges?

Tools of Exploration

  • Researchers delved into personal narratives through one-on-one interviews, giving the community a platform to share their unique experiences.
  • Immerse yourself in the community’s daily life. Researchers became temporary residents, observing rituals, dynamics, and the heartbeat of the community.
  • Gather ’round for focus group discussions where shared experiences, challenges, and collective brainstorming took center stage.

Reading Between the Lines

  • Forget statistical jargon. Researchers uncovered recurring themes that resonated in the community’s stories, revealing the emotional and cultural layers of climate change.
  • Instead of drowning findings in numerical data, the researchers opted for a storytelling approach. Imagine presenting scientific findings as a captivating narrative.

What is the best research topic for stem students qualitative?

There isn’t a single “best” qualitative research topic for STEM students.

Choose what interests you

Explore human experiences in STEM.

  • Women in STEM careers.
  • Students’ views on teaching methods.
  • Ethical issues in scientific research.

Connect to a STEM area

Focus on a specific field like science, technology, engineering, or math.

  • Team communication in engineering.
  • Ethics in animal research.
  • Problem-solving in mathematics.

Be fresh and doable

Find a new angle and make sure you can research it.

  • Keep up with STEM news.
  • Ask professors for ideas.
  • Think about ethics and resources.

Choose a topic that excites you and lets you learn more about the human side of STEM.

What are the 10 examples of qualitative research?

Here are 10 simple and engaging qualitative research projects:

  • Student Loans: Talking with grads about their loan struggles.
  • Teacher Motivation: Chatting with teachers in low-income schools to understand why they stay.
  • Social Media and Body Image: Checking how athletes feel about their bodies online.
  • Street Art and Culture: Hanging with street artists to learn what art means to them.
  • Work and Retirement: Chatting with retirees about life after work.
  • New Medical Treatments: Hearing from patients about their treatment experiences.
  • Storytelling and Tradition: Listening to stories to understand culture.
  • Family Business Dynamics: Chatting with family members who work together.
  • Music Fan Communities: Exploring online music fan groups.
  • Women Entrepreneurs: Talking with female business owners about their challenges.

These projects give a peek into people’s lives and thoughts, making research interesting and relatable.

How do you choose a research topic in stem?

Navigating the vast landscape of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) for a research topic involves aligning your interests with project viability. Here’s a roadmap to guide you:

Discover Your Passion

  • Personal Connection: Explore what aspect of STEM ignites your curiosity—be it the wonders of nature, technological innovations, or mathematical elegance.
  • Real-World Relevance: Consider everyday challenges or global issues where STEM solutions could make a difference.

Ensure Feasibility and Focus

  • Scope: Keep your topic specific enough for thorough exploration within your available time and resources.
  • Data Accessibility: Assess if you can access the necessary information through surveys , existing data, experiments, or interviews.

Seek Originality and Significance

  • Fresh Perspective: Aim for a unique angle or approach to an existing topic, offering deeper insights or alternative methods.
  • Contribution to Knowledge: Evaluate how your research can fill a gap, propose solutions, or provide new interpretations in your field.

To spark ideas, explore these resources

  • Recent Scientific Discoveries: Scan news articles and scientific journals for recent breakthroughs that inspire further investigation.
  • Government Websites: Government agencies often highlight STEM challenges in areas like health, energy, or the environment, offering fertile ground for research.
  • Professor Consultations: Engage with professors in your field to learn about their ongoing research and seek guidance on potential topics.

Let’s dissect it: Qualitative research topics tailored for STEM students serve as gateways to the human dimension of science and technology. It’s about delving into real narratives, deciphering the essence of STEM, and grasping its intricacies.

Whether engaging in conversations with educators, examining the societal impact of technology, or grappling with profound ethical dilemmas, it all contributes to the journey. So, prepare to immerse yourself and uncover the human aspect within STEM!

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200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students In 2023

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For Stem Students

STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, which is not the only stuff we learn in school. It is like a treasure chest of skills that help students become great problem solvers, ready to tackle the real world’s challenges.

In this blog, we are here to explore the world of Research Topics for STEM Students. We will break down what STEM really means and why it is so important for students. In addition, we will give you the lowdown on how to pick a fascinating research topic. We will explain a list of 200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students.

And when it comes to writing a research title, we will guide you step by step. So, stay with us as we unlock the exciting world of STEM research – it is not just about grades; it is about growing smarter, more confident, and happier along the way.

What Is STEM?

Table of Contents

STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is a way of talking about things like learning, jobs, and activities related to these four important subjects. Science is about understanding the world around us, technology is about using tools and machines to solve problems, engineering is about designing and building things, and mathematics is about numbers and solving problems with them. STEM helps us explore, discover, and create cool stuff that makes our world better and more exciting.

Why STEM Research Is Important?

STEM research is important because it helps us learn new things about the world and solve problems. When scientists, engineers, and mathematicians study these subjects, they can discover cures for diseases, create new technology that makes life easier, and build things that help us live better. It is like a big puzzle where we put together pieces of knowledge to make our world safer, healthier, and more fun.

  • STEM research leads to new discoveries and solutions.
  • It helps find cures for diseases.
  • STEM technology makes life easier.
  • Engineers build things that improve our lives.
  • Mathematics helps us understand and solve complex problems.

How to Choose a Topic for STEM Research Paper

Here are some steps to choose a topic for STEM Research Paper:

Step 1: Identify Your Interests

Think about what you like and what excites you in science, technology, engineering, or math. It could be something you learned in school, saw in the news, or experienced in your daily life. Choosing a topic you’re passionate about makes the research process more enjoyable.

Step 2: Research Existing Topics

Look up different STEM research areas online, in books, or at your library. See what scientists and experts are studying. This can give you ideas and help you understand what’s already known in your chosen field.

Step 3: Consider Real-World Problems

Think about the problems you see around you. Are there issues in your community or the world that STEM can help solve? Choosing a topic that addresses a real-world problem can make your research impactful.

Step 4: Talk to Teachers and Mentors

Discuss your interests with your teachers, professors, or mentors. They can offer guidance and suggest topics that align with your skills and goals. They may also provide resources and support for your research.

Step 5: Narrow Down Your Topic

Once you have some ideas, narrow them down to a specific research question or project. Make sure it’s not too broad or too narrow. You want a topic that you can explore in depth within the scope of your research paper.

Here we will discuss 200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students: 

Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding phenomena through non-numerical data and subjective experiences. Here are 10 qualitative research topics for STEM students:

  • Exploring the experiences of female STEM students in overcoming gender bias in academia.
  • Understanding the perceptions of teachers regarding the integration of technology in STEM education.
  • Investigating the motivations and challenges of STEM educators in underprivileged schools.
  • Exploring the attitudes and beliefs of parents towards STEM education for their children.
  • Analyzing the impact of collaborative learning on student engagement in STEM subjects.
  • Investigating the experiences of STEM professionals in bridging the gap between academia and industry.
  • Understanding the cultural factors influencing STEM career choices among minority students.
  • Exploring the role of mentorship in the career development of STEM graduates.
  • Analyzing the perceptions of students towards the ethics of emerging STEM technologies like AI and CRISPR.
  • Investigating the emotional well-being and stress levels of STEM students during their academic journey.

Easy Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students:

These experimental research topics are relatively straightforward and suitable for STEM students who are new to research:

  •  Measuring the effect of different light wavelengths on plant growth.
  •  Investigating the relationship between exercise and heart rate in various age groups.
  •  Testing the effectiveness of different insulating materials in conserving heat.
  •  Examining the impact of pH levels on the rate of chemical reactions.
  •  Studying the behavior of magnets in different temperature conditions.
  •  Investigating the effect of different concentrations of a substance on bacterial growth.
  •  Testing the efficiency of various sunscreen brands in blocking UV radiation.
  •  Measuring the impact of music genres on concentration and productivity.
  •  Examining the correlation between the angle of a ramp and the speed of a rolling object.
  •  Investigating the relationship between the number of blades on a wind turbine and energy output.

Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines:

These research topics are tailored for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Assessing the impact of climate change on the biodiversity of coral reefs in the Philippines.
  •  Studying the potential of indigenous plants in the Philippines for medicinal purposes.
  •  Investigating the feasibility of harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind in rural Filipino communities.
  •  Analyzing the water quality and pollution levels in major rivers and lakes in the Philippines.
  •  Exploring sustainable agricultural practices for small-scale farmers in the Philippines.
  •  Assessing the prevalence and impact of dengue fever outbreaks in urban areas of the Philippines.
  •  Investigating the challenges and opportunities of STEM education in remote Filipino islands.
  •  Studying the impact of typhoons and natural disasters on infrastructure resilience in the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the genetic diversity of endemic species in the Philippine rainforests.
  •  Assessing the effectiveness of disaster preparedness programs in Philippine communities.

Read More 

  • Frontend Project Ideas
  • Business Intelligence Projects For Beginners

Good Research Topics for STEM Students:

These research topics are considered good because they offer interesting avenues for investigation and learning:

  •  Developing a low-cost and efficient water purification system for rural communities.
  •  Investigating the potential use of CRISPR-Cas9 for gene therapy in genetic disorders.
  •  Studying the applications of blockchain technology in securing medical records.
  •  Analyzing the impact of 3D printing on customized prosthetics for amputees.
  •  Exploring the use of artificial intelligence in predicting and preventing forest fires.
  •  Investigating the effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Analyzing the use of drones in monitoring and managing agricultural crops.
  •  Studying the potential of quantum computing in solving complex optimization problems.
  •  Investigating the development of biodegradable materials for sustainable packaging.
  •  Exploring the ethical implications of gene editing in humans.

Unique Research Topics for STEM Students:

Unique research topics can provide STEM students with the opportunity to explore unconventional and innovative ideas. Here are 10 unique research topics for STEM students:

  •  Investigating the use of bioluminescent organisms for sustainable lighting solutions.
  •  Studying the potential of using spider silk proteins for advanced materials in engineering.
  •  Exploring the application of quantum entanglement for secure communication in the field of cryptography.
  •  Analyzing the feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy from underwater volcanoes.
  •  Investigating the use of CRISPR-Cas12 for rapid and cost-effective disease diagnostics.
  •  Studying the interaction between artificial intelligence and human creativity in art and music generation.
  •  Exploring the development of edible packaging materials to reduce plastic waste.
  •  Investigating the impact of microgravity on cellular behavior and tissue regeneration in space.
  •  Analyzing the potential of using sound waves to detect and combat invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Studying the use of biotechnology in reviving extinct species, such as the woolly mammoth.

Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Research topics for STEM students in the Philippines can address specific regional challenges and opportunities. Here are 10 experimental research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Assessing the effectiveness of locally sourced materials for disaster-resilient housing construction in typhoon-prone areas.
  •  Investigating the utilization of indigenous plants for natural remedies in Filipino traditional medicine.
  •  Studying the impact of volcanic soil on crop growth and agriculture in volcanic regions of the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the water quality and purification methods in remote island communities.
  •  Exploring the feasibility of using bamboo as a sustainable construction material in the Philippines.
  •  Investigating the potential of using solar stills for freshwater production in water-scarce regions.
  •  Studying the effects of climate change on the migration patterns of bird species in the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the growth and sustainability of coral reefs in marine protected areas.
  •  Investigating the utilization of coconut waste for biofuel production.
  •  Studying the biodiversity and conservation efforts in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Capstone Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines:

Capstone research projects are often more comprehensive and can address real-world issues. Here are 10 capstone research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Designing a low-cost and sustainable sanitation system for informal settlements in urban Manila.
  •  Developing a mobile app for monitoring and reporting natural disasters in the Philippines.
  •  Assessing the impact of climate change on the availability and quality of drinking water in Philippine cities.
  •  Designing an efficient traffic management system to address congestion in major Filipino cities.
  •  Analyzing the health implications of air pollution in densely populated urban areas of the Philippines.
  •  Developing a renewable energy microgrid for off-grid communities in the archipelago.
  •  Assessing the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for agricultural monitoring in rural Philippines.
  •  Designing a low-cost and sustainable aquaponics system for urban agriculture.
  •  Investigating the potential of vertical farming to address food security in densely populated urban areas.
  •  Developing a disaster-resilient housing prototype suitable for typhoon-prone regions.

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

Experimental quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to conclude. Here are 10 Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students interested in experimental quantitative research:

  •  Examining the impact of different fertilizers on crop yield in agriculture.
  •  Investigating the relationship between exercise and heart rate among different age groups.
  •  Analyzing the effect of varying light intensities on photosynthesis in plants.
  •  Studying the efficiency of various insulation materials in reducing building heat loss.
  •  Investigating the relationship between pH levels and the rate of corrosion in metals.
  •  Analyzing the impact of different concentrations of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Examining the effectiveness of different antibiotics on bacterial growth.
  •  Trying to figure out how temperature affects how thick liquids are.
  •  Finding out if there is a link between the amount of pollution in the air and lung illnesses in cities.
  •  Analyzing the efficiency of solar panels in converting sunlight into electricity under varying conditions.

Descriptive Research Topics for STEM Students

Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed account or description of a phenomenon. Here are 10 topics for STEM students interested in descriptive research:

  •  Describing the physical characteristics and behavior of a newly discovered species of marine life.
  •  Documenting the geological features and formations of a particular region.
  •  Creating a detailed inventory of plant species in a specific ecosystem.
  •  Describing the properties and behavior of a new synthetic polymer.
  •  Documenting the daily weather patterns and climate trends in a particular area.
  •  Providing a comprehensive analysis of the energy consumption patterns in a city.
  •  Describing the structural components and functions of a newly developed medical device.
  •  Documenting the characteristics and usage of traditional construction materials in a region.
  •  Providing a detailed account of the microbiome in a specific environmental niche.
  •  Describing the life cycle and behavior of a rare insect species.

Research Topics for STEM Students in the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many research opportunities for STEM students. Here are 10 research topics related to pandemics:

  •  Analyzing the effectiveness of various personal protective equipment (PPE) in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses.
  •  Studying the impact of lockdown measures on air quality and pollution levels in urban areas.
  •  Investigating the psychological effects of quarantine and social isolation on mental health.
  •  Analyzing the genomic variation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its implications for vaccine development.
  •  Studying the efficacy of different disinfection methods on various surfaces.
  •  Investigating the role of contact tracing apps in tracking & controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
  •  Analyzing the economic impact of the pandemic on different industries and sectors.
  •  Studying the effectiveness of remote learning in STEM education during lockdowns.
  •  Investigating the social disparities in healthcare access during a pandemic.
  • Analyzing the ethical considerations surrounding vaccine distribution and prioritization.

Research Topics for STEM Students Middle School

Research topics for middle school STEM students should be engaging and suitable for their age group. Here are 10 research topics:

  • Investigating the growth patterns of different types of mold on various food items.
  • Studying the negative effects of music on plant growth and development.
  • Analyzing the relationship between the shape of a paper airplane and its flight distance.
  • Investigating the properties of different materials in making effective insulators for hot and cold beverages.
  • Studying the effect of salt on the buoyancy of different objects in water.
  • Analyzing the behavior of magnets when exposed to different temperatures.
  • Investigating the factors that affect the rate of ice melting in different environments.
  • Studying the impact of color on the absorption of heat by various surfaces.
  • Analyzing the growth of crystals in different types of solutions.
  • Investigating the effectiveness of different natural repellents against common pests like mosquitoes.

Technology Research Topics for STEM Students

Technology is at the forefront of STEM fields. Here are 10 research topics for STEM students interested in technology:

  • Developing and optimizing algorithms for autonomous drone navigation in complex environments.
  • Exploring the use of blockchain technology for enhancing the security and transparency of supply chains.
  • Investigating the applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in medical training and surgery simulations.
  • Studying the potential of 3D printing for creating personalized prosthetics and orthopedic implants.
  • Analyzing the ethical and privacy implications of facial recognition technology in public spaces.
  • Investigating the development of quantum computing algorithms for solving complex optimization problems.
  • Explaining the use of machine learning and AI in predicting and mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
  • Studying the advancement of brain-computer interfaces for assisting individuals with
  • disabilities.
  • Analyzing the role of wearable technology in monitoring and improving personal health and wellness.
  • Investigating the use of robotics in disaster response and search and rescue operations.

Scientific Research Topics for STEM Students

Scientific research encompasses a wide range of topics. Here are 10 research topics for STEM students focusing on scientific exploration:

  • Investigating the behavior of subatomic particles in high-energy particle accelerators.
  • Studying the ecological impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.
  • Analyzing the genetics of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and its implications for healthcare.
  • Exploring the physics of gravitational waves and their detection through advanced interferometry.
  • Investigating the neurobiology of memory formation and retention in the human brain.
  • Studying the biodiversity and adaptation of extremophiles in harsh environments.
  • Analyzing the chemistry of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their potential for life beyond Earth.
  • Exploring the properties of superconductors and their applications in technology.
  • Investigating the mechanisms of stem cell differentiation for regenerative medicine.
  • Studying the dynamics of climate change and its impact on global ecosystems.

Interesting Research Topics for STEM Students:

Engaging and intriguing research topics can foster a passion for STEM. Here are 10 interesting research topics for STEM students:

  • Exploring the science behind the formation of auroras and their cultural significance.
  • Investigating the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy in the universe.
  • Studying the psychology of decision-making in high-pressure situations, such as sports or
  • emergencies.
  • Analyzing the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships and mental health.
  • Exploring the potential for using genetic modification to create disease-resistant crops.
  • Investigating the cognitive processes involved in solving complex puzzles and riddles.
  • Studying the history and evolution of cryptography and encryption methods.
  • Analyzing the physics of time travel and its theoretical possibilities.
  • Exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence  in creating art and music.
  • Investigating the science of happiness and well-being, including factors contributing to life satisfaction.

Practical Research Topics for STEM Students

Practical research often leads to real-world solutions. Here are 10 practical research topics for STEM students:

  • Developing an affordable and sustainable water purification system for rural communities.
  • Designing a low-cost, energy-efficient home heating and cooling system.
  • Investigating strategies for reducing food waste in the supply chain and households.
  • Studying the effectiveness of eco-friendly pest control methods in agriculture.
  • Analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration on the stability of power grids.
  • Developing a smartphone app for early detection of common medical conditions.
  • Investigating the feasibility of vertical farming for urban food production.
  • Designing a system for recycling and upcycling electronic waste.
  • Studying the environmental benefits of green roofs and their potential for urban heat island mitigation.
  • Analyzing the efficiency of alternative transportation methods in reducing carbon emissions.

Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students About Plants

Plants offer a rich field for experimental research. Here are 10 experimental research topics about plants for STEM students:

  • Investigating the effect of different light wavelengths on plant growth and photosynthesis.
  • Studying the impact of various fertilizers and nutrient solutions on crop yield.
  • Analyzing the response of plants to different types and concentrations of plant hormones.
  • Investigating the role of mycorrhizal in enhancing nutrient uptake in plants.
  • Studying the effects of drought stress and water scarcity on plant physiology and adaptation mechanisms.
  • Analyzing the influence of soil pH on plant nutrient availability and growth.
  • Investigating the chemical signaling and defense mechanisms of plants against herbivores.
  • Studying the impact of environmental pollutants on plant health and genetic diversity.
  • Analyzing the role of plant secondary metabolites in pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.
  • Investigating the interactions between plants and beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere.

Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Qualitative research in the Philippines can address local issues and cultural contexts. Here are 10 qualitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  • Exploring indigenous knowledge and practices in sustainable agriculture in Filipino communities.
  • Studying the perceptions and experiences of Filipino fishermen in coping with climate change impacts.
  • Analyzing the cultural significance and traditional uses of medicinal plants in indigenous Filipino communities.
  • Investigating the barriers and facilitators of STEM education access in remote Philippine islands.
  • Exploring the role of traditional Filipino architecture in natural disaster resilience.
  • Studying the impact of indigenous farming methods on soil conservation and fertility.
  • Analyzing the cultural and environmental significance of mangroves in coastal Filipino regions.
  • Investigating the knowledge and practices of Filipino healers in treating common ailments.
  • Exploring the cultural heritage and conservation efforts of the Ifugao rice terraces.
  • Studying the perceptions and practices of Filipino communities in preserving marine biodiversity.

Science Research Topics for STEM Students

Science offers a diverse range of research avenues. Here are 10 science research topics for STEM students:

  • Investigating the potential of gene editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 in curing genetic diseases.
  • Studying the ecological impacts of species reintroduction programs on local ecosystems.
  • Analyzing the effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic food webs and ecosystems.
  • Investigating the link between air pollution and respiratory health in urban populations.
  • Studying the role of epigenetics in the inheritance of acquired traits in organisms.
  • Analyzing the physiology and adaptations of extremophiles in extreme environments on Earth.
  • Investigating the genetics of longevity and factors influencing human lifespan.
  • Studying the behavioral ecology and communication strategies of social insects.
  • Analyzing the effects of deforestation on global climate patterns and biodiversity loss.
  • Investigating the potential of synthetic biology in creating bioengineered organisms for beneficial applications.

Correlational Research Topics for STEM Students

Correlational research focuses on relationships between variables. Here are 10 correlational research topics for STEM students:

  • Analyzing the correlation between dietary habits and the incidence of chronic diseases.
  • Studying the relationship between exercise frequency and mental health outcomes.
  • Investigating the correlation between socioeconomic status and access to quality healthcare.
  • Analyzing the link between social media usage and self-esteem in adolescents.
  • Studying the correlation between academic performance and sleep duration among students.
  • Investigating the relationship between environmental factors and the prevalence of allergies.
  • Analyzing the correlation between technology use and attention span in children.
  • Studying how environmental factors are related to the frequency of allergies.
  • Investigating the link between parental involvement in education and student achievement.
  • Analyzing the correlation between temperature fluctuations and wildlife migration patterns.

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Quantitative research in the Philippines can address specific regional issues. Here are 10 quantitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines

  • Analyzing the impact of typhoons on coastal erosion rates in the Philippines.
  • Studying the quantitative effects of land use change on watershed hydrology in Filipino regions.
  • Investigating the quantitative relationship between deforestation and habitat loss for endangered species.
  • Analyzing the quantitative patterns of marine biodiversity in Philippine coral reef ecosystems.
  • Studying the quantitative assessment of water quality in major Philippine rivers and lakes.
  • Investigating the quantitative analysis of renewable energy potential in specific Philippine provinces.
  • Analyzing the quantitative impacts of agricultural practices on soil health and fertility.
  • Studying the quantitative effectiveness of mangrove restoration in coastal protection in the Philippines.
  • Investigating the quantitative evaluation of indigenous agricultural practices for sustainability.
  • Analyzing the quantitative patterns of air pollution and its health impacts in urban Filipino areas.

Things That Must Keep In Mind While Writing Quantitative Research Title 

Here are few things that must be keep in mind while writing quantitative research tile:

1. Be Clear and Precise

Make sure your research title is clear and says exactly what your study is about. People should easily understand the topic and goals of your research by reading the title.

2. Use Important Words

Include words that are crucial to your research, like the main subjects, who you’re studying, and how you’re doing your research. This helps others find your work and understand what it’s about.

3. Avoid Confusing Words

Stay away from words that might confuse people. Your title should be easy to grasp, even if someone isn’t an expert in your field.

4. Show Your Research Approach

Tell readers what kind of research you did, like experiments or surveys. This gives them a hint about how you conducted your study.

5. Match Your Title with Your Research Questions

Make sure your title matches the questions you’re trying to answer in your research. It should give a sneak peek into what your study is all about and keep you on the right track as you work on it.

STEM students, addressing what STEM is and why research matters in this field. It offered an extensive list of research topics , including experimental, qualitative, and regional options, catering to various academic levels and interests. Whether you’re a middle school student or pursuing advanced studies, these topics offer a wealth of ideas. The key takeaway is to choose a topic that resonates with your passion and aligns with your goals, ensuring a successful journey in STEM research. Choose the best Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For Stem Students today!

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Best 151+ Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

In today’s rapidly evolving world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields have gained immense significance. For STEM students, engaging in quantitative research is a pivotal aspect of their academic journey. Quantitative research involves the systematic collection and interpretation of numerical data to address research questions or test hypotheses. Choosing the right research topic is essential to ensure a successful and meaningful research endeavor. 

In this blog, we will explore 151+ quantitative research topics for STEM students. Whether you are an aspiring scientist, engineer, or mathematician, this comprehensive list will inspire your research journey. But we understand that the journey through STEM education and research can be challenging at times. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way with our Engineering Assignment Help service. 

What is Quantitative Research in STEM?

Table of Contents

Quantitative research is a scientific approach that relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to draw conclusions and make predictions. In STEM fields, quantitative research encompasses a wide range of methodologies, including experiments, surveys, and data analysis. The key characteristics of quantitative research in STEM include:

  • Data Collection: Systematic gathering of numerical data through experiments, observations, or surveys.
  • Statistical Analysis: Application of statistical techniques to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Hypothesis Testing: Testing hypotheses and theories using quantitative data.
  • Replicability: The ability to replicate experiments and obtain consistent results.
  • Generalizability: Drawing conclusions that can be applied to larger populations or phenomena.

Importance of Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Quantitative research plays a pivotal role in STEM education and research for several reasons:

1. Empirical Evidence

It provides empirical evidence to support or refute scientific theories and hypotheses.

2. Data-Driven Decision-Making

STEM professionals use quantitative research to make informed decisions, from designing experiments to developing new technologies.

3. Innovation

It fuels innovation by providing data-driven insights that lead to the creation of new products, processes, and technologies.

4. Problem Solving

STEM students learn critical problem-solving skills through quantitative research, which are invaluable in their future careers.

5. Interdisciplinary Applications 

Quantitative research transcends STEM disciplines, facilitating collaboration and the tackling of complex, real-world problems.

Also Read: Google Scholar Research Topics

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Now, let’s explore important quantitative research topics for STEM students:

Biology and Life Sciences

Here are some quantitative research topics in biology and life science:

1. The impact of climate change on biodiversity.

2. Analyzing the genetic basis of disease susceptibility.

3. Studying the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.

4. Investigating the ecological consequences of invasive species.

5. Examining the role of genetics in aging.

6. Analyzing the effects of pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

7. Studying the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

8. Investigating the relationship between diet and lifespan.

9. Analyzing the impact of deforestation on wildlife.

10. Studying the genetics of cancer development.

11. Investigating the effectiveness of various plant fertilizers.

12. Analyzing the impact of microplastics on marine life.

13. Studying the genetics of human behavior.

14. Investigating the effects of pollution on plant growth.

15. Analyzing the microbiome’s role in human health.

16. Studying the impact of climate change on crop yields.

17. Investigating the genetics of rare diseases.

Let’s get started with some quantitative research topics for stem students in chemistry:

1. Studying the properties of superconductors at different temperatures.

2. Analyzing the efficiency of various catalysts in chemical reactions.

3. Investigating the synthesis of novel polymers with unique properties.

4. Studying the kinetics of chemical reactions.

5. Analyzing the environmental impact of chemical waste disposal.

6. Investigating the properties of nanomaterials for drug delivery.

7. Studying the behavior of nanoparticles in different solvents.

8. Analyzing the use of renewable energy sources in chemical processes.

9. Investigating the chemistry of atmospheric pollutants.

10. Studying the properties of graphene for electronic applications.

11. Analyzing the use of enzymes in industrial processes.

12. Investigating the chemistry of alternative fuels.

13. Studying the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds.

14. Analyzing the properties of materials for battery technology.

15. Investigating the chemistry of natural products for drug discovery.

16. Analyzing the effects of chemical additives on food preservation.

17. Investigating the chemistry of carbon capture and utilization technologies.

Here are some quantitative research topics in physics for stem students:

1. Investigating the behavior of subatomic particles in high-energy collisions.

2. Analyzing the properties of dark matter and dark energy.

3. Studying the quantum properties of entangled particles.

4. Investigating the dynamics of black holes and their gravitational effects.

5. Analyzing the behavior of light in different mediums.

6. Studying the properties of superfluids at low temperatures.

7. Investigating the physics of renewable energy sources like solar cells.

8. Analyzing the properties of materials at extreme temperatures and pressures.

9. Studying the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various applications.

10. Investigating the physics of quantum computing.

11. Analyzing the properties of magnetic materials for data storage.

12. Studying the behavior of particles in plasma for fusion energy research.

13. Investigating the physics of nanoscale materials and devices.

14. Analyzing the properties of materials for use in semiconductors.

15. Studying the principles of thermodynamics in energy efficiency.

16. Investigating the physics of gravitational waves.

17. Analyzing the properties of materials for use in quantum technologies.

Engineering

Let’s explore some quantitative research topics for stem students in engineering: 

1. Investigating the efficiency of renewable energy systems in urban environments.

2. Analyzing the impact of 3D printing on manufacturing processes.

3. Studying the structural integrity of materials in aerospace engineering.

4. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles.

5. Analyzing the efficiency of water treatment processes in civil engineering.

6. Studying the impact of robotics in healthcare.

7. Investigating the optimization of supply chain logistics using quantitative methods.

8. Analyzing the energy efficiency of smart buildings.

9. Studying the effects of vibration on structural engineering.

10. Investigating the use of drones in agricultural practices.

11. Analyzing the impact of machine learning in predictive maintenance.

12. Studying the optimization of transportation networks.

13. Investigating the use of nanomaterials in electronic devices.

14. Analyzing the efficiency of renewable energy storage systems.

15. Studying the impact of AI-driven design in architecture.

16. Investigating the optimization of manufacturing processes using Industry 4.0 technologies.

17. Analyzing the use of robotics in underwater exploration.

Environmental Science

Here are some top quantitative research topics in environmental science for students:

1. Investigating the effects of air pollution on respiratory health.

2. Analyzing the impact of deforestation on climate change.

3. Studying the biodiversity of coral reefs and their conservation.

4. Investigating the use of remote sensing in monitoring deforestation.

5. Analyzing the effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

6. Studying the impact of climate change on glacier retreat.

7. Investigating the use of wetlands for water quality improvement.

8. Analyzing the effects of urbanization on local microclimates.

9. Studying the impact of oil spills on aquatic ecosystems.

10. Investigating the use of renewable energy in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

11. Analyzing the effects of soil erosion on agricultural productivity.

12. Studying the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.

13. Investigating the use of bioremediation for soil cleanup.

14. Analyzing the effects of climate change on migratory bird patterns.

15. Studying the impact of land use changes on water resources.

16. Investigating the use of green infrastructure for urban stormwater management.

17. Analyzing the effects of noise pollution on wildlife behavior.

Computer Science

Let’s get started with some simple quantitative research topics for stem students:

1. Investigating the efficiency of machine learning algorithms for image recognition.

2. Analyzing the security of blockchain technology in financial transactions.

3. Studying the impact of quantum computing on cryptography.

4. Investigating the use of natural language processing in chatbots and virtual assistants.

5. Analyzing the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive data.

6. Studying the impact of algorithmic trading in financial markets.

7. Investigating the use of deep learning in autonomous robotics.

8. Analyzing the efficiency of data compression algorithms for large datasets.

9. Studying the impact of virtual reality in medical simulations.

10. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in personalized medicine.

11. Analyzing the effectiveness of recommendation systems in e-commerce.

12. Studying the impact of cloud computing on data storage and processing.

13. Investigating the use of neural networks in predicting disease outbreaks.

14. Analyzing the efficiency of data mining techniques in customer behavior analysis.

15. Studying the impact of social media algorithms on user behavior.

16. Investigating the use of machine learning in natural language translation.

17. Analyzing the effectiveness of sentiment analysis in social media monitoring.

Mathematics

Let’s explore the quantitative research topics in mathematics for students:

1. Investigating the properties of prime numbers and their distribution.

2. Analyzing the behavior of chaotic systems using differential equations.

3. Studying the optimization of algorithms for solving complex mathematical problems.

4. Investigating the use of graph theory in network analysis.

5. Analyzing the properties of fractals in natural phenomena.

6. Studying the application of probability theory in risk assessment.

7. Investigating the use of numerical methods in solving partial differential equations.

8. Analyzing the properties of mathematical models for population dynamics.

9. Studying the optimization of algorithms for data compression.

10. Investigating the use of topology in data analysis.

11. Analyzing the behavior of mathematical models in financial markets.

12. Studying the application of game theory in strategic decision-making.

13. Investigating the use of mathematical modeling in epidemiology.

14. Analyzing the properties of algebraic structures in coding theory.

15. Studying the optimization of algorithms for image processing.

16. Investigating the use of number theory in cryptography.

17. Analyzing the behavior of mathematical models in climate prediction.

Earth Sciences

Here are some quantitative research topics for stem students in earth science:

1. Investigating the impact of volcanic eruptions on climate patterns.

2. Analyzing the behavior of earthquakes along tectonic plate boundaries.

3. Studying the geomorphology of river systems and erosion.

4. Investigating the use of remote sensing in monitoring wildfires.

5. Analyzing the effects of glacier melt on sea-level rise.

6. Studying the impact of ocean currents on weather patterns.

7. Investigating the use of geothermal energy in renewable power generation.

8. Analyzing the behavior of tsunamis and their destructive potential.

9. Studying the impact of soil erosion on agricultural productivity.

10. Investigating the use of geological data in mineral resource exploration.

11. Analyzing the effects of climate change on coastal erosion.

12. Studying the geomagnetic field and its role in navigation.

13. Investigating the use of radar technology in weather forecasting.

14. Analyzing the behavior of landslides and their triggers.

15. Studying the impact of groundwater depletion on aquifer systems.

16. Investigating the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in land-use planning.

17. Analyzing the effects of urbanization on heat island formation.

Health Sciences and Medicine

Here are some quantitative research topics for stem students in health science and medicine:

1. Investigating the effectiveness of telemedicine in improving healthcare access.

2. Analyzing the impact of personalized medicine in cancer treatment.

3. Studying the epidemiology of infectious diseases and their spread.

4. Investigating the use of wearable devices in monitoring patient health.

5. Analyzing the effects of nutrition and exercise on metabolic health.

6. Studying the impact of genetics in predicting disease susceptibility.

7. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis.

8. Analyzing the behavior of pharmaceutical drugs in clinical trials.

9. Studying the effectiveness of mental health interventions in schools.

10. Investigating the use of gene editing technologies in treating genetic disorders.

11. Analyzing the properties of medical imaging techniques for early disease detection.

12. Studying the impact of vaccination campaigns on public health.

13. Investigating the use of regenerative medicine in tissue repair.

14. Analyzing the behavior of pathogens in antimicrobial resistance.

15. Studying the epidemiology of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

16. Investigating the use of bioinformatics in genomics research.

17. Analyzing the effects of environmental factors on health outcomes.

Quantitative research is the backbone of STEM fields, providing the tools and methodologies needed to explore, understand, and innovate in the world of science and technology . As STEM students, embracing quantitative research not only enhances your analytical skills but also equips you to address complex real-world challenges. With the extensive list of 155+ quantitative research topics for stem students provided in this blog, you have a starting point for your own STEM research journey. Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or any other STEM discipline, there’s a wealth of quantitative research topics waiting to be explored. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your lab coat or laptop, and embark on your quest for knowledge and discovery in the exciting world of STEM.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about quantitative research topics for stem students.

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  • Open access
  • Published: 22 April 2020

Research and trends in STEM education: a systematic analysis of publicly funded projects

  • Yeping Li 1 ,
  • Ke Wang 2 ,
  • Yu Xiao 1 ,
  • Jeffrey E. Froyd 3 &
  • Sandra B. Nite 1  

International Journal of STEM Education volume  7 , Article number:  17 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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Metrics details

Taking publicly funded projects in STEM education as a special lens, we aimed to learn about research and trends in STEM education. We identified a total of 127 projects funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the US Department of Education from 2003 to 2019. Both the number of funded projects in STEM education and their funding amounts were high, although there were considerable fluctuations over the years. The number of projects with multiple principal investigators increased over time. The project duration was typically in the range of 3–4 years, and the goals of these projects were mostly categorized as “development and innovation” or “efficacy and replication.” The majority of the 127 projects focused on individual STEM disciplines, especially mathematics. The findings, based on IES-funded projects, provided a glimpse of the research input and trends in STEM education in the USA, with possible implications for developing STEM education research in other education systems around the world.

Introduction

The rapid development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research since the beginning of this century has benefited from strong, ongoing support from many different entities, including government agencies, professional organizations, industries, and education institutions (Li, 2014 ). Typically, studies that summarized the status of research in STEM education have used publications as the unit of their analyses (e.g., Li et al., 2019 ; Li et al., 2020 ; Margot & Kettler, 2019 ; Minichiello et al., 2018 ; Otten, Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, & Veldhuis, 2019 ; Schreffler et al., 2019 ). Another approach, which has been used less frequently, is to study research funding. Although not all research publications were generated from funded projects and not all funded projects have been equally productive, as measured by publications, research funding and publications present two different, but related perspectives on the state of research in STEM education. Our review focuses on research funding.

Types of funding support to education research

There are different types of sources and mechanisms in place to allocate, administer, distribute, and manage funding support to education. In general, there are two sources of funding: public and private.

Public funding sources are commonly government agencies that support education program development and training, project evaluation, and research. For example, multiple state and federal agencies in the USA provide and manage funding support to education research, programs and training, including the US Department of Education (ED), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Endowment for the Humanities—Division of Education Programs. Researchers seeking support from public funding sources often submit proposals that are vetted through a well-structured peer-review process. The process is competitive, and the decision to fund a project validates both its importance and alignment with the funding agency’s development agenda. Changes in the agencies’ agendas and funding priorities can reflect governmental intentions and priorities for education and research.

Private funding sources have played a very important role in supporting education programs and research with a long history. Some private funding sources in the USA can be sizeable, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ( https://www.gatesfoundation.org ), while many also have specific foci, such as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ( https://www.hhmi.org ) that is dedicated to advancing science through research and science education. At the same time, private funding sources often have their own development agendas, flexibility in deciding funding priorities, and specific mechanisms in making funding decisions, including how funds can be used, distributed, and managed. Indeed, private funding sources differ from public funding sources in many ways. Given many special features associated with private funding sources, including the lack of transparency, we chose to examine projects that were supported by public funding sources in this review.

Approaches to examining public research funding support

One approach to studying public research funding support to STEM education would be to examine requests-for-proposals (RFPs) issued by different government agencies. However, those RFPs tend to provide guidelines, which are not sufficiently concrete to learn about specific research that is funded. In contrast, reviewing those projects selected for funding can provide more detailed information on research activity. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of research activity and distinguishes how funded projects and publications might provide different perspectives on research. In this review, we focus on the bolded portion of the flowchart, i.e., projects funded to promote STEM education.

figure 1

A general flowchart of RFPs to publications

Current review

Why focus on research funding in the usa.

Recent reviews of journal publications in STEM education have consistently revealed that scholars in the USA played a leading role in producing and promoting scholarship in STEM education, with about 75% of authorship credits for all publications in STEM education either in the International Journal of STEM Education alone from 2014 to 2018 (Li et al., 2019 ) or in 36 selected journals published from 2000 to 2018 (Li et al., 2020 ). The strong scholarship development in the USA is likely due to a research environment that is well supported and conducive to high research output. Studying public funding support for STEM education research in the USA will provide information on trends and patterns, which will be valuable both in the USA and in other countries.

The context of policy and public funding support to STEM education in the USA

The tremendous development of STEM education in the USA over the past decades has benefited greatly from both national policies and strong funding support from the US governmental agencies as well as private funding sources. Federal funding for research and development in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering-related education in the USA was restarted in the late 1980s, in the latter years of the Reagan administration, which had earlier halted funding. In recent years, the federal government has strongly supported STEM education research and development. For example, the Obama administration in the USA (The White House, 2009 ) launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign in November 2009 for excellence in STEM education as a national priority, with over 260 million USD in financial and in-kind support commitment. The Trump administration has continued to emphasize STEM education. For example, President Trump signed a memorandum in 2017 to direct ED to spend 200 million USD per year on competitive grants promoting STEM (The White House, 2017 ). In response, ED awarded 279 million USD in STEM discretionary grants in Fiscal Year 2018 (US Department of Education, 2018 ). The Trump administration took a step further to release a report in December 2018 detailing its five-year strategic plan of boosting STEM education in the USA (The White House, 2018 ). The strategic plan envisions that “All Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the USA will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment.” (Committee on STEM Education, 2018 , p. 1). Consistently, current Secretory of Education DeVos in the Trump administration has taken STEM as a centerpiece of her comprehensive education agenda (see https://www.ed.gov/stem ). The consistency in national policies and public funding support shows that STEM education continues to be a strategic priority in the USA.

Among many federal agencies that funded STEM education programs, the ED and NSF have functioned as two primary agencies. For ED, the Institute of Education Sciences (Institute of Education Sciences (IES), n.d. , see https://ies.ed.gov/aboutus/ ) was created by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 as its statistics, research, and evaluation arm. ED’s support to STEM education research has been mainly administered and managed by IES since 2003. In contrast to the focus of ED on education, NSF (see https://www.nsf.gov/about/ ) was created by Congress in 1950 to support basic research in many fields such as mathematics, computer sciences, and social sciences. Education and Human Resources is one of its seven directorates that provides important funding support to STEM education programs and research. In addition to these two federal agencies, some other federal agencies also provide funding support to STEM education programs and research from time to time.

Any study of public funding support to STEM education research in the USA would need to limit its scope, given the complexity of various public funding sources available in the system, the ambiguity associated with the meaning of STEM education across different federal agencies (Li et al., 2020 ), and the number of programs that have funded STEM education research over the years. For the purpose of this review, we have chosen to focus on the projects in STEM education funded by IES.

Research questions

Given the preceding research approach decision to focus on research projects funded by IES, we generated the following questions:

What were the number of projects, total project funding, and the average funding per project from 2003 to 2019 in STEM education research?

What were the trends of having single versus multiple principal investigator(s) in STEM education?

What were the types of awardees of the projects?

What were the participant populations in the projects?

What were the types of projects in terms of goals for program development and research in STEM education?

What were the disciplinary foci of the projects?

What research methods did projects tend to use in conducting STEM education research?

Based on the above discussion to focus on funding support from IES, we first specified the time period, and then searched the IES website to identify STEM education research projects funded by IES within the specified time period.

Time period

As discussed above, IES was established in 2002 and it did not start to administer and manage research funding support for ED until 2003. Therefore, we considered IES funded projects from 2003 to the end of 2019.

Searching and identifying IES funded projects in STEM education

Given the diverse perspectives about STEM education across different agencies and researchers (Li et al., 2020 ), we did not discuss and define the meaning of STEM education. Instead, we used the process described in the following paragraph to identify STEM education research projects funded by IES.

On the publicly accessible IES website ( https://ies.ed.gov ), one menu item is “FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES”, and there is a list of choices within this menu item. One choice is “SEARCH FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.” On this web search page, we can choose “Program” under “ADDITIONAL SEARCH OPTIONS.” There are two program categories related to STEM under the option of “Program.” One is “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education” under one large category of “Education Research” and the other is “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” under another large category of “Special Education Research.” We searched for funded projects under these two program categories, and the process returned 98 funded projects in “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education” under “Education Research” and 29 funded projects in “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” under “Special Education Research,” for a total of 127 funded projects in these two programs designated for STEM education by IES Footnote 1 .

Data analysis

To address questions 1, 2, 3, and 4, we collected the following information about these projects identified using above procedure: amount of funding, years of duration, information about the PI, types of awardees that received and administered the funding (i.e., university versus those non-university including non-profit organization such as WestEd, Educational Testing Service), and projects’ foci on school level and participants. When a project’s coverage went beyond one category, the project was then coded in terms of its actual number of categories being covered. For example, we used the five categories to classify project’s participants: Pre–K, grades 1–4, grades 5–8, grades 9–12, and adult. If a funded project involved participants from Pre-school to grade 8, then we coded the project as having participants in three categories: Pre-K, grades 1–4, and grades 5–8.

To address question 5, we analyzed projects based on goal classifications from IES. IES followed the classification of research types that was produced through a joint effort between IES and NSF in 2013 (Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and National Science Foundation (NSF), 2013 ). The effort specified six types of research that provide guidance on the goals and level of funding support: foundational research, early-stage or exploratory research, design and development research, efficacy research, effectiveness research, and scale-up research. Related to these types, IES classified goals for funded projects: development and innovation, efficacy and replication, exploration, measurement, and scale-up evaluation, as described on the IES website.

To address question 6, we coded the disciplinary focus using the following five categories: mathematics, science, technology, engineering, and integrated (meaning an integration of any two or more of STEM disciplines). In some cases, we coded a project with multiple disciplinary foci into more than one category. The following are two project examples and how we coded them in terms of disciplinary foci:

The project of “A Randomized Controlled Study of the Effects of Intelligent Online Chemistry Tutors in Urban California School Districts” (2008, https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=601 ) was to test the efficacy of the Quantum Chemistry Tutors, a suite of computer-based cognitive tutors that are designed to give individual tutoring to high school students on 12 chemistry topics. Therefore, we coded this project as having three categories of disciplinary foci: science because it was chemistry, technology because it applied instructional technology, and integrated because it integrated two or more of STEM disciplines.

The project of “Applications of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) to Improve the Skill Levels of Students with Deficiencies in Mathematics” (2009, https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=827 ) was coded as having three categories of disciplinary foci: mathematics, technology because it used intelligent tutoring systems, and integrated because it integrated two or more of STEM disciplines.

To address question 7, all 127 projects were coded using a classification category system developed and used in a previous study (Wang et al., 2019 ). Specifically, each funded project was coded in terms of research type (experimental, interventional, longitudinal, single case, correlational) Footnote 2 , data collection method (interview, survey, observation, researcher designed tests, standardized tests, computer data Footnote 3 ), and data analysis method (descriptive statistics, ANOVA*, general regression, HLM, IRT, SEM, others) Footnote 4 . Based on a project description, specific method(s) were identified and coded following a procedure similar to what we used in a previous study (Wang et al., 2019 ). Two researchers coded each project’s description, and the agreement between them for all 127 projects was 88.2%. When method and disciplinary focus-coding discrepancies occurred, a final decision was reached after discussion.

Results and discussion

In the following sections, we report findings as corresponding to each of the seven research questions.

Question 1: the number of projects, total funding, and the average funding per project from 2003 to 2019

Figure 2 shows the distribution of funded projects over the years in each of the two program categories, “Education Research” and “Special Education Research,” as well as combined (i.e., “STEM” for projects funded under “Education Research,” “Special STEM” for projects funded under “Special Education Research,” and “Combined” for projects funded under both “Education Research” and “Special Education Research”). As Fig. 2 shows, the number of projects increased each year up to 2007, with STEM education projects started in 2003 under “Education Research” and in 2006 under “Special Education Research.” The number of projects in STEM under “Special Education Research” was generally less than those funded under the program category of “Education Research,” especially before 2011. There are noticeable decreases in combined project counts from 2009 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2014, before the number count increased again in 2015. We did not find a consistent pattern across the years from 2003 to 2019.

figure 2

The distribution of STEM education projects over the years. (Note: STEM refers to projects funded under “Education Research,” Special STEM refers to projects funded under “Special Education Research,” and “Combined” refers to projects funded under both “Education Research” and “Special Education Research.” The same annotations are used in the rest of the figures.)

A similar trend can be observed in the total funding amount for STEM education research (see Fig. 3 ). The figure shows noticeably big year-to-year swings from 2003 to 2019, with the highest funding amount of more than 33 million USD in 2007 and the lowest amount of 2,698,900 USD in 2013 from these two program categories. Although it is possible that insufficient high-quality grant proposals were available in one particular year to receive funding, the funded amount and the number of projects (Fig. 2 ) provide insights about funding trends over the time period of the review.

figure 3

Annual funding totals

As there are diverse perspectives and foci about STEM education, we also wondered if STEM education research projects might be funded by IES but in program options other than those designated options of “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.” We found a total of 54 funded projects from 2007 to 2019, using the acronym “STEM” as a search term under the option of “SEARCH FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS” without any program category restriction. Only 2 (3.7%) out of these 54 projects were in the IES designated program options of STEM education in the category of “Education Research.” Further information about these 54 projects and related discussion can be found as additional notes at the end of this review.

Results from two different approaches to searching for IES-funded projects will likely raise questions about what kinds of projects were funded in the designated program option of “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education,” if only two funded projects under this option contained the acronym “STEM” in a project’s title and/or description. We shall provide further information in the following sub-sections, especially when answering question 6 related to projects’ disciplinary focus.

Figure 4 illustrates the trend of average funding amount per project each year in STEM education research from 2003 to 2019. The average funding per project varied considerably in the program category “Special Education Research,” and no STEM projects were funded in 2014 and 2017 in this category. In contrast, average funding per project was generally within the range of 1,132,738 USD in 2019 to 3,475,975 USD in 2014 for the projects in the category of “Education Research” and also for project funding in the combined category.

figure 4

The trend of average funding amount per project funded each year in STEM education research

Figure 5 shows the number of projects in different funding amount categories (i.e., less than 1 million USD, 1–2 million USD, 2–3 million USD, 3 million USD or more). The majority of the 127 projects obtained funding of 1–2 million USD (77 projects, 60.6%), with 60 out of 98 projects (61.2%) under “Education Research” program and 17 out of 29 projects (58.6%) in the program category “Special Education Research.” The category with second most projects is funding of 3 million USD or more (21 projects, 16.5%), with 15 projects (15.3% of 98 projects) under “Education Research” and 6 projects (20.7% of 29 projects) under “Special Education Research.”

figure 5

The number of projects in terms of total funding amount categories

Figure 6 shows the average amount of funding per project funded across these different funding amount and program categories. In general, the projects funded under “Education Research” tended to have a higher average amount than those funded under “Special Education Research,” except for those projects in the total funding amount category of “less than 1 million USD.” Considering all 127 funded projects, the average amount of funding was 1,960,826.3 USD per project.

figure 6

The average amount of funding per project across different total funding amount and program categories

Figure 7 shows that the vast majority of these 127 projects were 3- or 4-year projects. In particular, 59 (46.5%) projects were funded as 4-year projects, with 46 projects (46.9%) under “Education Research” and 13 projects (44.8%) under “Special Education Research.” This category is followed closely by 3-year projects (54 projects, 42.5%), with 41 projects (41.8%) under “Education Research” and 13 projects (44.8%) under “Special Education Research.”

figure 7

The number of projects in terms of years of project duration. (Note, 2: 2-year projects; 3: 3-year projects; 4: 4-year projects; 5: 5-year projects)

Question 2: trends of single versus multiple principal investigator(s) in STEM education

Figure 8 shows the distribution of projects over the years grouped by a single PI or multiple PIs where the program categories of “Education Research” and “Special Education Research” have been combined. The majority of projects before 2009 had a single PI, and the trend has been to have multiple PIs for STEM education research projects since 2009. The trend illustrates the increased emphases on collaboration in STEM education research, which is consistent with what we learned from a recent study of journal publications in STEM education (Li et al., 2020 ).

figure 8

The distribution of projects with single versus multiple PIs over the years (combined)

Separating projects by program categories, Fig. 9 shows projects funded in the program category “Education Research.” The trends of single versus multiple PIs in Fig. 9 are similar to the trends shown in Fig. 8 for the combined programs. In addition, almost all projects in STEM education funded under this regular research program had multiple PIs since 2010.

figure 9

The distribution of projects with single versus multiple PIs over the years (in “Education Research” program)

Figure 10 shows projects funded in the category “Special Education Research.” The pattern in Fig. 10 , where very few projects funded under this category had multiple PIs before 2014, is quite different from the patterns in Figs. 8 and 9 . We did not learn if single PIs were appropriate for the nature of these projects. The trend started to change in 2015 as the number of projects with multiple PIs increased and the number of projects with single PIs declined.

figure 10

The distribution of projects with single versus multiple PIs over the years (in “Special Education Research” program)

Question 3: types of awardees of these projects

Besides the information about the project’s PI, the nature of the awardees can help illustrate what types of entity or organization were interested in developing and carrying out STEM education research. Figure 11 shows that the university was the main type of awardee before 2012, with 80 (63.0%) projects awarded to universities from 2003 to 2019. At the same time, non-university entities received funding support for 47 (37.0%) projects and they seem to have become even more active and successful in obtaining research funding in STEM education over the past several years. The result suggests that diverse organizations develop and conduct STEM education research, another indicator of the importance of STEM education research.

figure 11

The distribution of projects funded to university versus non-university awardees over the years

Question 4: participant populations in the projects

Figure 12 indicates that the vast majority of projects were focused on student populations in preschool to grade 12. This is understandable as IES is the research funding arm of ED. Among those projects, middle school students were the participants in the most projects (70 projects), followed by student populations in elementary school (48 projects), and high school (38 projects). The adult population (including post-secondary students and teachers) was the participant group in 36 projects in a combined program count.

figure 12

The number of projects in STEM education for different groups of participants (Note: Pre-K: preschool-kindergarten; G1–4: grades 1–4; G5–8: grades 5–8; G9–12: grades 9–12; adult: post-secondary students and teachers)

If we separate “Education Research” and “Special Education Research” programs, projects in the category “Special Education Research” focused on student populations in elementary and middle school most frequently, and then adult population. In contrast, projects in the category “Education Research” focused most frequently on middle school student population, followed by student populations in high school and elementary school.

Given the importance of funded research in special education Footnote 5 at IES, we considered projects focused on participants with disabilities. Figure 13 shows there were 28 projects in the category “Special Education Research” for participants with disabilities. There were also three such projects funded in the category “Education Research,” which together accounted for a total of 31 (24.4%) projects. In addition, some projects in the category “Education Research” focused on other participants, including 11 projects focused on ELL students (8.7%) projects and 37 projects focused on low SES students (29.1%).

figure 13

The number of funded projects in STEM education for three special participant populations (Note: ELL: English language learners, Low SES: low social-economic status)

Figure 14 shows the trend of projects in STEM education for special participant populations. Participant populations with ELL and/or Low SES gained much attention before 2011 among these projects. Participant populations with disabilities received relatively consistent attention in projects on STEM education over the years. Research on STEM education with special participant populations is important and much needed. However, related scholarship is still in an early development stage. Interested readers can find related publications in this journal (e.g., Schreffler et al., 2019 ) and other journals (e.g., Lee, 2014 ).

figure 14

The distribution of projects in STEM education for special participant populations over the years

Question 5: types of projects in terms of goals for program development and research

Figure 15 shows that “development and innovation” was the most frequently funded type of project (58 projects, 45.7%), followed by “efficacy and replication” (34 projects, 26.8%), and “measurement” (21 projects, 16.5%). The pattern is consistent across “Education Research,” “Special Education Research,” and combined. However, it should be noted that all five projects with the goal of “scale-up evaluation” were in the category “Education Research” Footnote 6 and funding for these projects were large.

figure 15

The number of projects in terms of the types of goals

Examining the types of projects longitudinally, Fig. 16 shows that while “development and innovation” and “efficacy and replication” types of projects were most frequently funded in the “Education Research” program, the types of projects being funded changed longitudinally. The number of “development and innovation” projects was noticeably fewer over the past several years. In contrast, the number of “measurement” projects and “efficacy and replication” projects became more dominant. The change might reflect a shift in research development and needs.

figure 16

The distribution of projects in terms of the type of goals over the years (in “Education Research” program)

Figure 17 shows the distribution of project types in the category “Special Education Research.” The pattern is different from the pattern shown in Fig. 16 . The types of “development and innovation” and “efficacy and replication” projects were also the dominant types of projects under “Special Education Research” program category in most of these years from 2007 to 2019. Projects in the type “measurement” were only observed in 2010 when that was the only type of project funded.

figure 17

The distribution of projects in terms of goals over the years (in “Special Education Research” program)

Question 6: disciplinary foci of projects in developing and conducting STEM education research

Figure 18 shows that the majority of the 127 projects under such specific programs included disciplinary foci on individual STEM disciplines: mathematics in 88 projects, science in 51 projects, technology in 43 projects, and engineering in 2 projects. The tremendous attention to mathematics in these projects is a bit surprising, as mathematics was noted as being out of balance in STEM education (English, 2016 ) and also in STEM education publications (Li, 2018b , 2019 ). As noted above, each project can be classified in multiple disciplinary foci. However, of the 88 projects with a disciplinary focus on mathematics, 54 projects had mathematics as the only disciplinary focus (38 under “Education Research” program and 16 under “Special Education Research” program). We certainly hope that there will be more projects that further scholarship where mathematics is included as part of (integrated) STEM education (see Li & Schoenfeld, 2019 ).

figure 18

The number of projects in terms of disciplinary focus

There were also projects with specific focus on integrated STEM education (i.e., combining any two or more disciplines of STEM), with a total of 55 (43.3%) projects in a combined program count. The limited number of projects on integrated STEM in the designated STEM funding programs further confirms the common perception that the development of integrated STEM education and research is still in its initial stage (Honey et al., 2014 ; Li, 2018a ).

In examining possible funding trends, Fig. 19 shows that mathematics projects were more frequently funded before 2012. Engineering was a rare disciplinary focus. Integrated STEM was a disciplinary focus from time to time among these projects. No other trends were observed.

figure 19

The distribution of projects in terms of disciplinary focus over the years

Question 7: research types and methods that projects used

Figure 20 indicates that “interventional” (in 104 projects, 81.9%) and “experimental research” (in 89 projects, 70.1%) were the most frequently funded types of research. The percentages of projects funded under the regular education research program were similar to those funded under “Special Education Research” program, except that projects funded under “Special Education Research” tended to utilize correlational research more often.

figure 20

The number of projects in terms of the type of research conducted

Research in STEM education uses diverse data collection and analysis methods; therefore, we wanted to study types of methods (Figs. 21 and 22 , respectively). Among the six types of methods used for data collection, Fig. 21 indicates that “standardized tests” and “designed tests” were the most commonly used methods for data collection, followed by “survey,” “observation,” and “interview.” The majority of projects used three quantitative methods (“standardized tests,” “researcher designed tests,” and “survey”). The finding is consistent with the finding from analysis of journal publications in STEM education (Li et al., 2020 ). Data collected through “interview” and “observation” were more likely to be analyzed using qualitative methods as part of a project’s research methodology.

figure 21

The number of projects categorized by the type of data collection methods

figure 22

The number of projects categorized by the type of data analysis methods

Figure 22 shows the use of seven (including others) data analysis methods among these projects. The first six methods (i.e., descriptive, ANOVA*, general regression, HLM, IRT, and SEM) as well as some methods in “others” are quantitative data analysis methods. The number of projects that used these quantitative methods is considerably larger than the number of projects that used qualitative methods (i.e., included in “others” category).

Concluding remarks

The systematic analysis of IES-funded research projects in STEM education presented an informative picture about research support for STEM education development in the USA, albeit based on only one public funding agency from 2003 to 2019. Over this 17-year span, IES funded 127 STEM education research projects (an average of over seven projects per year) in two designated STEM program categories. Although we found no discernable longitudinal funding patterns in these two program categories, both the number of funded projects in STEM education and their funding amounts were high. If we included an additional 52 projects with the acronym “STEM” funded by many other programs from 2007 to 2019 (see “ Notes ” section below), the total number of projects in STEM education research would be even higher, and the number of projects with the acronym “STEM” would also be larger. The results suggested the involvement of many researchers with diverse expertise in STEM education research was supported by a broad array of program areas in IES.

Addressing the seven questions showed several findings. Funding support for STEM education research was strong, with an average of about 2 million USD per project for a typical 3–4 year duration. Also, our analysis showed that the number of projects with multiple PIs over the years increased over the study time period, which we speculate was because STEM education research increasingly requires collaboration. STEM education research is still in early development stage, evidenced by the predominance of project goals in either “development and innovation” or “efficacy and replication” categories. We found very few projects (5 out of 127 projects, 4.0%) that were funded for “scale-up evaluation.” Finally, as shown by our analysis of project participants, IES had focused on funding projects for students in grades 1–12. Various quantitative research methods were frequently used by these projects for data collection and analyses.

These results illustrated how well STEM education research was supported through both the designated STEM education and many other programs during the study time period, which helps to explain why researchers in the USA have been so productive in producing and promoting scholarship in STEM education (Li et al., 2019 ; Li et al., 2020 ). We connected several findings from this study to findings from recent reviews of journal publications in STEM education. For example, publications in STEM education appeared in many different journals as many researchers with diverse expertise were supported to study various issues related to STEM education, STEM education publications often have co-authorship, and there is heavy use of quantitative research methods. The link between public funding and significant numbers of publications in STEM education research from US scholars offers a strong argument for the importance of providing strong funding support to research and development in STEM education in the USA and also in many other countries around the world.

The systematic analysis also revealed that STEM education, as used by IES in naming the designated programs, did not convey a clear definition or scope. In fact, we found diverse disciplinary foci in these projects. Integrated STEM was not a main focus of these designated programs in funding STEM education. Instead, many projects in these programs had clear subject content focus in individual disciplines, which is very similar to discipline-based education research (DBER, National Research Council, 2012 ). Interestingly enough, STEM education research had also been supported in many other programs of IES with diverse foci Footnote 7 , such as “Small Business Innovation Research,” “Cognition and Student Learning,” and “Postsecondary and Adult Education.” This funding reality further suggested the broad scope of issues associated with STEM education, as well as the growing need of building STEM education research as a distinct field (Li, 2018a ).

Inspired by our recent review of journal publications as research output in STEM education, this review started with an ambitious goal to study funding support as research input for STEM education. However, we had to limit the scope of the study for feasibility. We limited funding sources to one federal agency in the USA. Therefore, we did not analyze funding support from private funding sources including many private foundations and corporations. Although public funding sources have been one of the most important funding supports available for researchers to develop and expand their research work, the results of this systematic analysis suggest the importance future studies to learn more about research support and input to STEM education from other sources including other major public funding agencies, private foundations, and non-profit professional organizations.

Among these 54 funded projects containing the acronym “STEM” from 2007 to 2019, Table 1 shows that only 2 (3.7%) were in the IES designated program option of STEM education in the category of “Education Research.” Forty-nine projects were in 13 other program options in the category of “Education Research,” with surprisingly large numbers of projects under the “Small Business Innovation Research” option (17, 31.5%) and “Cognition and Student Learning” (11, 20.4%). Three of the 54 funded projects were in the program category of “Special Education Research.” To be specific, two of the three were in the program of “Small Business Innovation Research in Special Education,” and one was in the program of “Special Topic: Career and Technical Education for Students with Disabilities.”

The results suggest that many projects, focusing on various issues and questions directly associated with STEM education, were funded even when researchers applied for funding support in program options not designated as “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.” It implies that issues associated with STEM education had been generally acknowledged as important across many different program areas in education research and special education research. The funding support available in diverse program areas likely allowed numerous scholars with diverse expertise to study many different questions and publish their research in diverse journals, as we noted in the recent review of journal publications in STEM education (Li et al., 2020 ).

A previous study identified and analyzed a total of 46 IES funded projects from 2007 to 2018 (with an average of fewer than 4 projects per year) that contain the acronym “STEM” in a project’s title and/or description (Wang et al., 2019 ). Finding eight newly funded projects in 2019 suggested a growing interest in research on issues directly associated with STEM education in diverse program areas. In fact, five out of these eight newly funded projects specifically included the acronym “STEM” in the project’s title to explicitly indicate the project’s association with STEM education.

Availability of data and materials

The data and materials used and analyzed for the review are publicly available at the IES website, White House website, and other government agency websites.

In a previous study (Wang, Li, & Xiao, 2019), we used the acronym “STEM” as a search term under the option of “SEARCH FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS” without any program category restriction, and identified and analyzed 46 funded projects from 2007 to 2018 that contain “STEM” in a project’s title and/or description after screening out unrelated key words containing “stem” such as “system”. To make comparisons when needed, we did the same search using the acronym “STEM” and found 8 more funded projects in 2019 for a total of 54 funded projects across many different program categories from 2007 to 2019.

The project of “A Randomized Controlled Study of the Effects of Intelligent Online Chemistry Tutors in Urban California School Districts” (2008). In the project description, its subtitle shows intervention information. We coded this project as “interventional.” Then, the project also included the treatment group and the control group. We coded this project as “experimental.” Finally, this project was to test the efficacy of computer-based cognitive tutors. This was a correlational study. We thus coded it as “correlational.”

Computer data means that the project description indicated this kind of information, such as log data on students.

Descriptive means “descriptive statistics.” General regression means multiple regression, linear regression, logistical regression, except hierarchical linear regression model. ANOVA* is used here as a broad term to include analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, and/or multivariate analysis of variance. Others include factor analysis, t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and binomial tests, log data analysis, meta-analysis, constant comparative data analysis, and qualitative analysis.

Special education originally was about students with disabilities. It has broadened in scope over the years.

The number of students under Special Education was 14% of students in public schools in the USA in 2017–2018. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgg.asp

For example, “Design Environment for Educator-Student Collaboration Allowing Real-Time Engineering-centric, STEM (DESCARTES) Exploration in Middle Grades” (2017) was funded as a 2-year project to Parametric Studios, Inc. (awardee) under the program option of “Small Business Innovation Research” (here is the link: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1922 ). “Exploring the Spatial Alignment Hypothesis in STEM Learning Environments” (2017) was funded as a 4-year project to WestEd (awardee) under the program option of “Cognition and Student Learning” (link: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=2059 ). “Enhancing Undergraduate STEM Education by Integrating Mobile Learning Technologies with Natural Language Processing” (2018) was funded as a 4-year project to Purdue University (awardee) under the program option of “Postsecondary and Adult Education” (link: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=2130 ).

Abbreviations

Analysis of variance

Discipline-based education research

Department of Education

Hierarchical linear modeling

Institute of Education Sciences

Item response theory

National Science Foundation

Pre-school–grade 12

Requests-for-proposal

Structural equation modeling

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

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The White House (2009). President Obama launches “Educate to Innovate” campaign for excellence in science, technology, engineering & math (Stem) education. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-launches-educate-innovate-campaign-excellence-science-technology-en Accessed on 2 Feb 2020.

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This review was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DUE-1852942). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Yeping Li, Yu Xiao & Sandra B. Nite

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YL conceptualized the study and drafted the manuscript. KW contributed with data collection, coding, analyses, and manuscript reviews. YX contributed to data collection, coding, and manuscript reviews. JEF and SBN contributed to manuscript improvement through manuscript reviews and revisions. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Li, Y., Wang, K., Xiao, Y. et al. Research and trends in STEM education: a systematic analysis of publicly funded projects. IJ STEM Ed 7 , 17 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00213-8

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Getting started with research topics

The possibilities for selecting a research topic are nearly endless! While most initial research ideas will need some tweaking to be in line with your project’s or assignment's scope, you can take nearly any idea, interest, or phenomenon and turn it into a research topic. 

Please check with instructor for specific directions concerning topic selection for a research project or to confirm if a topic is acceptable.

Brainstorming initial topics

Tip #1: choose a topic you care about..

This could be a personal interest, related to something you have experienced, related to your job or future career, etc. You could even research a problem or barrier you’ve experienced or something that upsets you. What matters is that you have a vested interest in your research topic. This is going to help motivate you to keep working on the project. 

For example: Adrian works full-time and also has young child, and sometimes they get stressed out about work-life balance. Adrian could choose “working parent mental health” as an initial topic.

Tip #2: Be curious.

Have you ever wondered why something works (or doesn’t work) the way that it does? Are you curious about how something impact your life? Research that! 

For example: Traffic noise from I-215 sometimes keeps Gabi from falling asleep. Gabi could choose “noise pollution and insomnia” as an initial research topic.

Tip #3: Be observant.

Notice trends, phenomena, or occurrences in your daily life. You can research why those trends might occur.

For example: Rui has noticed more vehicles running red lights while commuting work. Rui could choose “distracted and aggressive driving” as an initial research topic.

Tip #4: Think about something you’ve recently learned or read in a class.

If a reading, assignment, or video from a class has stood out to you, explore that further. That topic or an aspect of it could serve as your initial research topic. 

For example: Almas was fascinated to learn in HLTH 1050 that former drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar imported hippos to Colombia and that the hippos are now causing significant issues as a non-native species. Almas could choose “impacts of non-native animal species” as an initial research topic. 

Developing your topic

Great! You’ve selected an initial topic that interests you. Now you will want to refine it so your topic fits within the scope of your project. 

Strategy #1: Ask self-reflective questions.

Ask yourself personal questions to help focus your topic. Ask yourself: Why did I choose this topic in the first place? What specifically interests me about it? Do I have personal experience with this? This reflective process can help you move from a general topic like "medical marijuana" to a more specific one that is also interesting to you. For example, perhaps you know someone who suffers from chronic pain and had medical marijuana recommended to them; you might want to learn more about how medical marijuana helps with chronic pain and if there are any negative medical side effects associated with its use.

Strategy #2: Ask what you want to learn and why.

Try answering this question by filling in the blanks: “I am researching [topic], because I want to find out [issue / question] in order to [application, or why it matters].” For example: I am researching sound pollution, because I want to learn if it impacts sleep cycles in order to understand how traffic noise may negatively impact human health.

Strategy #3: Create an argument.

Another way to refine your initial topic is to give your opinion, take a side to an argument, or present a different outlook. Try to keep an open mind and withhold your own judgement until you have done some research. It is a growth experience to consider other views! Ask something like: “What are the consequences of X on Y?” For example: What are the consequences of vehicle emissions on Utah’s air quality?

Strategy #4: Use the 3 P's

Identify a problem (your initial topic), a population (a specific group of people), and a place. Adding these three components together can help focus your topic.

  • The 3 P's: Population, Place, Problem Licensed under CC BY-NC by Sarah Hood

Evaluating the feasibility of your topic

The next step in developing your research topic is making sure that it is actually feasible for you to research. Sometimes great ideas have to be tabled for another point in time because of current limitations. Here are three questions/sets of questions to ask yourself before moving ahead with your research project.

Why do I care about this topic?

What about it interests me? Will I continue to be interested in this topic throughout the research process? If you cannot answer these questions, return to brainstorming possible topics.

Is my topic too broad or too narrow to fit within the project's scope?

If your topic is too broad, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of sources you find or feel like you have no clear goal of what to study or accomplish. If your topic is too narrow, you may have a very hard time finding sources or completing your project. Look for a topic that is “just right.” It should be specific enough that it is actionable.

  • Too broad: What causes air pollution in Utah?
  • Too narrow: How to pickup trucks driving on I-15 between Draper and South Salt Lake City contribute to the ozone levels in Salt Lake County’s air conditions?
  • Better: How do commuting vehicles in Salt Lake County contribute to air pollution?

Do I have the available resources (time, money, tools, support, etc.) to realistically accomplish this project in the set timeframe?

If your project is going to require you do an observational study, do you have the available time to do that? If your project requires specialized equipment, do you have access to it and knowledge of how to use it? If you need to acquire supplies or incentives for people to participate in your project, do you have the funding? These logistical questions are important, because having the appropriate resources available can help set you up for success. If you don’t have these resources available, you may need to table your research topic until another time.

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161+ Exciting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

161+ Exciting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Are you doing Qualitative research? Looking for the best qualitative research topics for stem students? It is a most interesting and good field for research. Qualitative research allows STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students to delve deeper into complex issues, explore human behavior, and understand the intricacies of the world around them.

In this article, we’ll provide you with an extensive list of 161+ qualitative research topics tailored to STEM students. We’ll also explore how to find and choose good qualitative research topics, and why these topics are particularly beneficial for students, including those in high school.

Also Like To Read: 171+ Brilliant Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Table of Contents

What Are Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Qualitative research topics for stem students are questions or issues that necessitate an in-depth exploration of people’s experiences, beliefs, and behaviors. STEM students can use this approach to investigate societal impacts, ethical dilemmas, and user experiences related to scientific advancements and innovations.

Unlike quantitative research, which focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis, qualitative research delves into the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of a particular phenomenon.

How to Find and Choose Good Qualitative Research Topics

Selecting qualitative research topics for stem students is a crucial step in the research process. Here are some tips to help you find and choose a suitable topic:

How to Find and Choose Good Qualitative Research Topics

  • Passion and Interest: Start by considering your personal interests and passions. What topics within STEM excite you? Research becomes more engaging when you’re genuinely interested in the subject.
  • Relevance: Choose qualitative research topics for stem students. Look for gaps in the existing knowledge or unanswered questions.
  • Literature Review: Conduct a thorough literature review to identify the latest trends and areas where qualitative research is lacking. This can guide you in selecting a topic that contributes to the field.
  • Feasibility: Ensure that your chosen topic is feasible within the resources and time constraints available to you. Some research topics may require extensive resources and funding.
  • Ethical Considerations: Be aware of ethical concerns related to your qualitative research topics for stem students, especially when dealing with human subjects or sensitive issues.

Here are the most exciting and very interesting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students, high school students, nursing students, college students, etc.

Biology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Impact of Ecosystem Restoration on Biodiversity
  • Ethical Considerations in Human Gene Editing
  • Public Perceptions of Biotechnology in Agriculture
  • Coping Mechanisms and Stress Responses in Marine Biologists
  • Cultural Perspectives on Traditional Herbal Medicine
  • Community Attitudes Toward Wildlife Conservation Efforts
  • Ethical Issues in Animal Testing and Research
  • Indigenous Knowledge and Ethnobotany
  • Psychological Well-being of Conservation Biologists
  • Attitudes Toward Endangered Species Protection

Chemistry Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Adoption of Green Chemistry Practices in the Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Public Perception of Chemical Safety in Household Products
  • Strategies for Improving Chemistry Education
  • Art Conservation and Chemical Analysis
  • Consumer Attitudes Toward Organic Chemistry in Everyday Life
  • Ethical Considerations in Chemical Waste Disposal
  • The Role of Chemistry in Sustainable Agriculture
  • Perceptions of Nanomaterials and Their Applications
  • Chemistry-Related Career Aspirations in High School Students
  • Cultural Beliefs and Traditional Chemical Practices

Physics Qualitative Research Topics

  • Gender Bias in Physics Education and Career Progression
  • Philosophical Implications of Quantum Mechanics
  • Public Understanding of Renewable Energy Technologies
  • Influence of Science Fiction on Scientific Research
  • Perceptions of Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe
  • Student Experiences in High School Physics Classes
  • Physics Outreach Programs and Their Impact on Communities
  • Cultural Variations in the Perception of Time and Space
  • Role of Physics in Environmental Conservation
  • Public Engagement with Science Through Astronomy Events

Engineering Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
  • Human-Centered Design in Engineering
  • Innovation and Sustainability in Civil Engineering
  • Public Perception of Self-Driving Cars
  • Engineering Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation
  • Experiences of Women in Male-Dominated Engineering Fields
  • Role of Engineers in Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Ethical Considerations in Technology Patents
  • Perceptions of Engineering Education and Career Prospects
  • Students Views on the Role of Engineers in Society

Computer Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • Gender Diversity in Tech Companies
  • Ethical Implications of AI-Powered Decision-Making
  • User Experience and Interface Design
  • Cybersecurity Awareness and Behaviors
  • Digital Privacy Concerns and Practices
  • Social Media Use and Mental Health in College Students
  • Gaming Culture and its Impact on Social Interactions
  • Student Attitudes Toward Coding and Programming
  • Online Learning Platforms and Student Satisfaction
  • Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life

Mathematics Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Gender Stereotypes in Mathematics Education
  • Cultural Variations in Problem-Solving Approaches
  • Perception of Math in Everyday Life
  • Math Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms
  • Historical Development of Mathematical Concepts
  • Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among Elementary School Students
  • Role of Mathematics in Solving Real-World Problems
  • Homeschooling Approaches to Teaching Mathematics
  • Effectiveness of Math Tutoring Programs
  • Math-Related Stereotypes in Society

Environmental Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • Local Communities’ Responses to Climate Change
  • Public Understanding of Conservation Practices
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Perspectives
  • Environmental Education and Behavior Change
  • Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation
  • Conservation Awareness and Behavior of Tourists
  • Climate Change Perceptions Among Youth
  • Perceptions of Water Scarcity and Resource Management
  • Environmental Activism and Youth Engagement
  • Community Responses to Environmental Disasters

Geology and Earth Sciences Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Geologists’ Risk Perception and Decision-Making
  • Volcano Hazard Preparedness in At-Risk Communities
  • Public Attitudes Toward Geological Hazards
  • Environmental Consequences of Extractive Industries
  • Perceptions of Geological Time and Deep Earth Processes
  • Use of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Research
  • Role of Geology in Disaster Preparedness and Response
  • Geological Factors Influencing Urban Planning
  • Community Engagement in Geoscience Education
  • Climate Change Communication and Public Understanding

Astronomy and Space Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • The Role of Science Communication in Astronomy Education
  • Perceptions of Space Exploration and Colonization
  • UFO and Extraterrestrial Life Beliefs
  • Public Understanding of Black Holes and Neutron Stars
  • Space Tourism and Future Space Travel
  • Impact of Space Science Outreach Programs on Student Interest
  • Cultural Beliefs and Rituals Related to Celestial Events
  • Space Science in Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Public Engagement with Astronomical Phenomena
  • Space Exploration in Science Fiction and Popular Culture

Medicine and Health Sciences Qualitative Research Topics

  • Patient-Physician Communication and Trust
  • Ethical Considerations in Human Cloning and Genetic Modification
  • Public Attitudes Toward Vaccination
  • Coping Strategies for Healthcare Workers in Pandemics
  • Cultural Beliefs and Health Practices
  • Health Disparities Among Underserved Communities
  • Medical Decision-Making and Informed Consent
  • Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behavior
  • Wellness Practices and Health-Related Beliefs
  • Perceptions of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Psychology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Perceptions of Body Image in Different Cultures
  • Workplace Stress and Coping Mechanisms
  • LGBTQ+ Youth Experiences and Well-Being
  • Cross-Cultural Differences in Parenting Styles and Outcomes
  • Perceptions of Psychotherapy and Counseling
  • Attitudes Toward Medication for Mental Health Conditions
  • Psychological Well-being of Older Adults
  • Role of Cultural and Social Factors in Psychological Well-being
  • Technology Use and Its Impact on Mental Health

Social Sciences Qualitative Research Topics

  • Political Polarization and Online Echo Chambers
  • Immigration and Acculturation Experiences
  • Educational Inequality and School Policy
  • Youth Engagement in Environmental Activism
  • Identity and Social Media in the Digital Age
  • Social Media and Its Influence on Political Beliefs
  • Family Dynamics and Conflict Resolution
  • Social Support and Coping Strategies in College Students
  • Perceptions of Cyberbullying Among Adolescents
  • Impact of Social Movements on Societal Change

Interesting Sociology Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Perceptions of Racial Inequality and Discrimination
  • Aging and Quality of Life in Elderly Populations
  • Gender Roles and Expectations in Relationships
  • Online Communities and Social Support
  • Cultural Practices and Beliefs Related to Marriage
  • Family Dynamics and Coping Mechanisms
  • Perceptions of Community Safety and Policing
  • Attitudes Toward Social Welfare Programs
  • Influence of Media on Perceptions of Social Issues
  • Youth Perspectives on Education and Career Aspirations

Anthropology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation
  • Cultural Variation in Parenting Practices
  • Indigenous Language Revitalization Efforts
  • Social Impacts of Tourism on Indigenous Communities
  • Rituals and Ceremonies in Different Cultural Contexts
  • Food and Identity in Cultural Practices
  • Traditional Healing and Healthcare Practices
  • Indigenous Rights and Land Conservation
  • Ethnographic Studies of Marginalized Communities
  • Cultural Practices Surrounding Death and Mourning

Economics and Business Qualitative Research Topics

  • Small Business Resilience in Times of Crisis
  • Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Perceptions
  • International Trade and Cultural Perceptions
  • Consumer Behavior and Decision-Making in E-Commerce
  • Business Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Startups
  • Perceptions of Economic Inequality and Wealth Distribution
  • Impact of Economic Policies on Communities
  • Role of Economic Education in Financial Literacy

Good Education Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Homeschooling Experiences and Outcomes
  • Teacher Burnout and Coping Strategies
  • Inclusive Education and Special Needs Integration
  • Student Perspectives on Online Learning
  • High-Stakes Testing and Its Impact on Students
  • Multilingual Education and Bilingualism
  • Perceptions of Educational Technology in Classrooms
  • School Climate and Student Well-being
  • Teacher-Student Relationships and Their Effects on Learning
  • Cultural Diversity in Education and Inclusion

Environmental Engineering Qualitative Research Topics

  • Sustainable Transportation and Community Preferences
  • Ethical Considerations in Waste Reduction and Recycling
  • Public Attitudes Toward Renewable Energy Projects
  • Environmental Impact Assessment and Community Engagement
  • Sustainable Urban Planning and Neighborhood Perceptions
  • Water Quality and Conservation Practices in Residential Areas
  • Green Building Practices and User Experiences
  • Community Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
  • Role of Environmental Engineers in Disaster Preparedness

Why Qualitative Research Topics Are Good for STEM Students

  • Deeper Understanding: Qualitative research encourages STEM students to explore complex issues from a human perspective. This deepens their understanding of the broader impact of scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
  • Critical Thinking: Qualitative research fosters critical thinking skills by requiring students to analyze and interpret data, consider diverse viewpoints, and draw nuanced conclusions.
  • Real-World Relevance: Many qualitative research topics have real-world applications. Students can address problems, inform policy, and contribute to society by investigating issues that matter.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Qualitative research often transcends traditional STEM boundaries, allowing students to draw on insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other fields.
  • Preparation for Future Careers: Qualitative research skills are valuable in various STEM careers, as they enable students to communicate complex ideas and understand the human and social aspects of their work.

Qualitative Research Topics for High School STEM Students

High school STEM students can benefit from qualitative research by honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Here are some qualitative research topics suitable for high school students:

  • Perceptions of STEM Education: Investigate students’ and teachers’ perceptions of STEM education and its effectiveness.
  • Environmental Awareness: Examine the factors influencing high school students’ environmental awareness and eco-friendly behaviors.
  • Digital Learning in the Classroom: Explore the impact of technology on learning experiences and student engagement.
  • STEM Gender Gap: Analyze the reasons behind the gender gap in STEM fields and potential strategies for closing it.
  • Science Communication: Study how high school students perceive and engage with popular science communication channels, like YouTube and podcasts.
  • Impact of Extracurricular STEM Activities: Investigate how participation in STEM clubs and competitions influences students’ interest and performance in science and technology.

In essence, these are the best qualitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines and are usable for other countries students too. Qualitative research topics offer STEM students a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted aspects of their fields, develop essential skills, and contribute to meaningful discoveries. With the right topic selection, a strong research design, and ethical considerations, STEM students can easily get the best knowledge on exciting qualitative research that benefits both their career growth. So, choose a topic that resonates with your interests and get best job in your interest field.

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STEM Education Research

Science isn’t merely for scientists. Understanding science is part of being a well-rounded and informed citizen. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education research is dedicated to studying the nature of learning, the impact of different science teaching strategies, and the most effective ways to recruit and retain the next generation of scientists.

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian STEM education researchers are engaged in a number of projects:

Developing research-based tests for use in evaluating students’ knowledge of science concepts. These tests are designed to check for common differences in the way non-scientists understand a subject as compared to scientists. When offered at the beginning and end of science courses, they assess whether instruction has resulted in students' conceptual growth. The tests are freely available for education researchers and teachers, and cover the full range of elementary, secondary, and university courses in science. Misconception-Orientation Standard-Based Assessment Resources for Teachers (MOSART)

Studying ways to improve students’ preparation for introductory STEM courses in college. Students arrive at college with varying pre-college educational experiences, which often influence how well they do in their first STEM classes. To keep interested students in STEM programs, researchers look at measurable factors that predict improved performance. Factors Influencing College Success in STEM (FICS)

Discerning factors that strengthen students’ interest in pursuing a STEM career. Education researchers look at a whole range of pre-college experiences in and out of school that can affect students’ interest in pursuing STEM careers, in order to see both what encourages and what drives them away. Persistence in STEM (PRiSE)

Examining predictors of student outcomes in MOOCs. Many universities have implemented MOOCs to provide academic resources beyond the university, but the research on how well they perform compared with ordinary classes is scant. In addition, MOOCs are frequently plagued by students dropping out. By studying actual implementations of MOOCs, SED researchers hope to gather evidence to explain why many students don’t stick with the course through the end. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Advancing Science Teaching and Learning

Public understanding of science is essential for our democratic society. At the same time, white female students and students of color are underrepresented across STEM fields, which is a problem both from equity and workforce demand perspectives. For these reasons, researchers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian study how to improve science teaching and learning.

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Trends in Highly Cited Empirical Research in STEM Education: a Literature Review

  • Published: 07 December 2022
  • Volume 5 , pages 303–321, ( 2022 )

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  • Yeping Li 1 ,
  • Ke Wang 2 ,
  • Yu Xiao 1 &
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The development of STEM education scholarship takes time and collective effort. Identifying and examining trends in highly cited empirical STEM education research over time will help inform the field and future research. In this study, we searched the Web of Science core database to identify the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications in each of three consecutive years. Our analyses revealed consistencies and important changes over the years in terms of the inclusion of articles themselves, the journals where they were published, disciplinary content coverage, and research topics. The results demonstrate that STEM education research is increasingly recognized as important in education, both through publications and citations, and that the field is moving toward conducting more multi- and interdisciplinary STEM education research.

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

The importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education has been well-recognized, not only due to the importance of each component discipline but also the connection and integration of different STEM disciplines. Different from the traditional approach of focusing on individual disciplines such as mathematics and physics, STEM education opens the door for new opportunities and approaches for students’ learning and preparation (see Li, 2018 ). However, new opportunities come with new challenges, as STEM itself is not a discipline. The nature and content of this new integrative field of STEM education scholarship cannot be pre-defined, but emerges from the collective contributions of numerous scholars over time. To gain insights into STEM education scholarship development, we sought to identify and examine trends in empirical research publications that have had high impact in the field over the past 3 years.

A recent research review (Li et al., 2022 ) served as the foundation for this study. In that review, we specified high impact empirical research publications as those that gained high citations. Although many databases are available to search for publication citation counts, the Web of Science (WoS) is the world’s leading scientific citation search and analytical information platform (Li et al., 2018 ). Its core database has been commonly used as a reliable indexing database with close attention to high standard research publications with a peer-review process, thus used in many research review studies (e.g., Li et al., 2018 ; Marín-Marín et al., 2021 ). The WoS core database is more selective than many others, such as Scopus. For these reasons, we searched the WoS core database to identify the top 100 most-cited empirical studies in STEM education published in journals from 2000 to 2021. The search was conducted on September 12, 2022, and allowed us to identify and select those research publications that gained high citations for inclusion up to that day. However, as publication citations keep changing on a daily basis and also over time, it remains unclear whether and how the top 100 most-cited research publications may be changing over time. Learning about publication citation changes provides a glimpse into the dynamic evolution in STEM education research field.

Li et al. ( 2022 ) examined multiple aspects of the top 100 most-cited empirical studies published in journals from 2000 to 2021, including journals in which these high impact empirical studies were published, publication years, disciplinary content coverage, and research topics. We planned for the current study to also focus on those aspects. Different from the recent review, however, the current study aimed to identify and examine possible trends from changes in the top 100 most-cited empirical research publications identified in three different years (i.e., August 2020, September 2021, and September 2022). Taken together, this study was designed to use data from three searches conducted over the years to systematically analyze and report:

consistencies and changes in the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications over three years

distributions and patterns of the top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in different journals

disciplinary content coverage of the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications and possible trends

research topics being focused on by the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications and topic trends

Methodological Considerations

Searching and identifying.

To be consistent with Li et al. ( 2022 ), we used the same process to search and identify the top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in different years. The process started with searching the WoS core database under the field of “topic” (covering title, abstract, author keywords, and keywords plus), using the same search terms: “STEM” OR “STEAM” OR “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” Because there are many different categories in the WoS database, we conducted publication searches under the same WoS category: Education Educational Research, on August 9, 2020, September 20, 2021, and September 12, 2022, respectively. In each of these 3 years, the time period of publications was set as starting from 2000 to the year right before the search was conducted. For example, in 2022, all publications from 2000 to 2021 were specified in the search.

After obtaining a list of publications from the search, all publications were placed in descending order in terms of citation counts. Each publication was then carefully checked using the same criteria for inclusion or exclusion (see Table 1 ). The process identified the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications. The follow-up publication coding and analysis were then carried out in the same way as Li et al. ( 2022 ).

Accounting for Different Search Category Coverage

During the article search process in September 2022, we noticed that the WoS database has four categories listed under “education”: Education Educational Research, Education Scientific Disciplines, Psychology Educational, and Education Special. It occurred to us that empirical research articles in STEM education may also be published in journals that are not classified and listed under the category of “Education Educational Research.”

Thus, we conducted another search of the WoS database in 2022 under all of the four categories using the same search terms for journal publications from 2000 to 2021. The search returned 9275 publications under “Education Educational Research,” 2161 under “Education Scientific Disciplines,” 247 under “Psychology Educational,” and 15 under “Education Special.” The combined list of all publications was then placed in descending order in terms of citation counts, and each publication was screened using the same inclusion or exclusion criteria (Table 1 ).

As these two searches with the inclusion of different WoS categories were conducted in the same year, possible connections and differences in the inclusion of publications and journals across these two searches will not reveal possible trends over time. However, comparing the results may illuminate the diversity of journal outlets that researchers are using.

Trends in Highly Cited STEM Education Research Publications

Consistencies and changes from 2020 to 2022.

Across the 3 years, 76 publications were identified as included each year. Eleven publications were changed in the 2nd search in 2021 in comparison to the list from the 1st search in 2020; twenty-three publications were changed in 2022. Across the lists between searches in 2021 and 2022, there were 84 same publications and 16 different publications. The results suggest that the majority (76) of high impact empirical research journal publications were stable, over the 3-year period, in terms of gaining high citations. At the same time, quite a substantial number of publications (24) were dropped.

Figure  1 shows the distributions of top 100 most-cited publications in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Several overall consistencies are noteworthy. Specifically, across these three distributions, the majority of publications were published between 2010 and 2015, suggesting that publications would typically need about 5–10 years to gain extensive exposure to obtain enough citations for inclusion. At the same time, the distribution of those most-cited publications identified in 2022 shows that some more recent publications (2016–2019) also emerged with high citations. Multiple factors might account for this, including possible changes in journal inclusion in the WoS core database or the appearance of high quality research that was disseminated in high profile ways. Further examination of possible contributing factors is beyond the scope of this study.

figure 1

Distributions of the top 100 most-cited empirical research journal publications in STEM education over the years in three different searches

Table 2 provides the top 10 list of most-cited publications identified from each search. Nine articles (with citation counts bolded) appear each year. In particular, the top 4 are the same across the 3 years. All top 10 articles from the 2021 search made it to the top 10 list again in 2022 search. There is one article difference of inclusion in the top 10 list between 2021 and 2020 searches, and two article differences of inclusion in the top 10 between 2022 and 2020 searches.

Table 2 also shows that all of these most-cited articles were published between 2008 and 2013. The top 10 most-cited publications in 2020 had an average of 180 citations (range, 134–271 per article). In 2021, the articles had an average of 226 citations (range, 180–352). For the top 11 (with two articles in a tie at the 10th place) in 2022, the average was 263 citations (range, 211–421). The nine articles that appeared each year had an average of 185 citations with a range of 140 to 271 in 2020, an average of 231 citations with a range of 192 to 352 in 2021, and an average of 272 citations with a range of 211 to 421 in 2022. The results again provide a clear indication of increased citations for publications over time, albeit with different increasing rates for different publications.

We also observed that the top 10 list of most-cited empirical research publications were published in different journals, but not in a journal specifically on STEM education. In fact, there was no well-established journal in STEM education before 2019 (Li, 2019 ). It is not surprising that the top 10 list of most-cited empirical research articles in STEM education were published in other well-established journals in education or science education at that time. The results suggest the potential value of examining what journals published highly cited empirical research in STEM education and related patterns.

Distributions and Patterns of Highly Cited Publications in Different Journals

We identified and sorted all journals in which publications appeared. Forty-eight journals published these articles across the 3 years (see Table 3 ), 43 journals published the top 100 identified in 2022, 41 journals in 2021, and 40 journals in 2020. Thirty-five of these journals appeared in all three searches.

Thirty-seven journals were covered by SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index) and 11 were covered by ESCI (Emerging Sources Citation Index). These are clearly well-established and quality journals in the professional community. Moreover, the majority of these journals have a long publishing history, with 35 journals being established 30 or more years ago, and 13 journals having less than a 30-year history. Eleven journals have been established since 2000, eight SSCI journals and three ESCI journals. This suggests that the most highly cited empirical research has been published in well-established and reputable journals with a long publishing history. It is not surprising as STEM education itself has too a short history to establish top journals (Li et al., 2020 ).

To take a closer look at the possible impact of different journals, we examined the top 10 journals and their publications from the list in Table 3 . These 10 journals contributed 57 articles (57%) for the top 100 collection from 2022 search, 56 articles (56%) for the top 100 collection in 2021, and 53 articles (53%) for the top 100 collection in 2020. The results provide clear indications that these 10 journals carried a heavy weight in publishing high impact research articles from the three searches. All of these 10 journals were SSCI journals. They all had 30 or more years of history, except one journal, International Journal of STEM Education (IJSTEM), that started to publish in 2014 (Li, 2014 ). In fact, IJSTEM is the only journal, out of the 48 journals in the list, with a clear focus on STEM education research. The result provides a confirmation about the initial stage of STEM education research journal development at this time (Li, 2018 ; Li et al., 2020 ), and the leading journal status of IJSTEM in promoting and publishing STEM education research (Li, 2021 ).

Among the 48 journals listed in Table 3 , we classified them into two general categories: general education research journals (without a discipline of STEM specified in a journal’s title) and those with STEM discipline specified in a journal’s title, an approach similar to what we used in a previous research review (Li et al., 2020 ). Thirty journals spoke to general educational education research readers; 18 to readers in specific discipline(s) of STEM. The result suggests that researchers published their high impact empirical research in STEM education in a wide range of journals, with more in general educational research journals as these journals tend to be well-established with a long history, and spoke both to scholars with interests in STEM and to broader communities.

Figure  2 shows that the distributions of the top 100 articles over these two types of journals were very stable across these three searches, with about 50% of the articles published in educational research journals and 50% in journals with STEM discipline(s) specified.

figure 2

Distributions of top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in general and STEM-specific journals. Note: 0 = journals without STEM discipline specified, 1 = journals with STEM discipline specified

Going beyond the cumulative counts of these publications in two types of journals from each search, Fig.  3 shows the distributions of top 100 publications in each type of journal over the years for each search, where dotted line segments refer to the distributions in journals without STEM discipline specified and solid line segments refer to the distributions in journals with STEM discipline specified.

figure 3

Trends of top 100 most-cited empirical STEM education research publications in general vs. STEM-specific journals, 2020–2022

Overall, there are some general consistencies in trends between the group of dotted line segments and the group of solid line segments, an observation consistent with what we learned from Fig.  2 about overall distributions of publications. However, we also noticed that the dotted line segments stay above the solid line segments from 2009 to 2012, and solid line segments tend to stay higher since 2014 especially from the 2022 search. The results suggest a general trend that those highly cited articles tended to be published in general educational research journals before 2013, but started to have more in journals with content discipline of STEM specified after 2013 in recent search. There are many possible reasons for this trend (e.g., Li et al., 2020 ; Li & Xiao, 2022 ; Moore et al., 2017 ; Wilsdon et al., 2015 ). Researchers might have developed disciplinary consciousness in publications, especially when STEM education publications started to pick up since that time. There is also evidence that there has been a rise in higher education in the pressure to publish, both due to the use of productivity metrics in universities and funders’ use of publication records in evaluating research grants. It may be that, on the global front, institutions of higher education are broadening the list of recommended outlets for publications to STEM-specific journals. This result may also relate to disciplinary content coverage specified in these top 100 publications in different searches, a topic that we will examine further in next section.

Disciplinary Content Coverage

The top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in STEM education were identified through topic search of specific terms (“STEM,” “STEAM,” or “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”), as it was done in other research reviews (Li et al., 2020 , 2022 ). However, the author’s self-inclusion of such identifier(s) did not mean that all four STEM disciplines were focused on in their studies. Thus, we took a further look at each publication to examine if it focused on a single discipline of STEM or multiple disciplines of STEM.

Figure  4 presents summarized results. The vast majority (75% or more) of these top 100 highly cited articles focused on multidisciplinary STEM education. There is a small but notable change in disciplinary foci between those publications identified from 2022 search and those publications from 2021 and 2020 searches: 25 publications on a single discipline of STEM and 75 on multidisciplinary STEM education from 2022 search, while about 15 publications on a single discipline of STEM and 85 on multidisciplinary STEM education from 2021 and 2020 searches. It would be interesting to see how the disciplinary foci emerged from those highly cited empirical research publications evolve.

figure 4

Disciplinary content coverage in top 100 most-cited articles, 2020–2022. Note: 1 = single discipline of STEM education, 2 = multidisciplinary STEM education

To take a further look at possible changes across different searches, Fig.  5 presents the distributions of top 100 publications with different disciplinary content coverages from 2020 to 2022. We used solid line segments for the distributions of publications on a single discipline of STEM and dotted line segments for the distributions of publications on multidisciplinary STEM education.

figure 5

Trends in disciplinary content coverage, 2020–2022

Several general consistencies in trends between the group of dotted line segments and the group of solid line segments, an observation consistent with what we learned from Fig.  4 . At the same time, we also noticed that no publications on a single discipline of STEM before 2011 made to the list in 2021 and 2022 searches, and more publications on multidisciplinary STEM education after 2015 made to the list in these two recent searches than the 2020 search. The results suggest a possible trend of shifting research interest and development toward multi- and interdisciplinary STEM education in the field through recent publications and citations.

Research Topics

To examine research topics, we used the same list of topics from previous reviews (Li & Xiao, 2022 ; Li et al., 2019 ). The following list contains seven topic categories (TC) that was used to classify and examine all publications identified and selected from the three searches in this study.

TC1: Teaching, teacher, and teacher education in STEM (including both pre-service and in-service teacher education) in K-12 education

TC2: Teacher and teaching in STEM (including faculty development, etc.) at post-secondary level

TC3: STEM learner, learning, and learning environment in K-12 education

TC4: STEM learner, learning, and learning environments (excluding pre-service teacher education) at post-secondary level

TC5: Policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment in STEM (including literature review about a field in general)

TC6: Culture, social, and gender issues in STEM education

TC7: History, epistemology, and perspectives about STEM and STEM education

Consistent with the coding practice used in the previous reviews, we assigned each publication to only one topic. When there were cases that more than one topic could have been used, a decision was made after discussion.

Figure  6 shows that more publications on four TCs (i.e., TC3, TC4, TC5, and TC6) were more highly cited than articles focused on the other three TCs (i.e., TC1, TC2, and TC7). Moreover, TC4 (STEM learner, learning, and learning environments at post-secondary level) and TC6 (culture, social, and gender issues in STEM education) were the two TCs in 2021 and 2020 searches that had the most publications. In 2022, culture, social, and gender issues in STEM education was the focus of many more publications than the other TCs. The results suggest that publications in TC4 and TC6 were more likely to gain high citations than publications in other TCs, and the trend seems to go further for publications in TC6 but not for TC4 in 2022 search. At the same time, it is a bit surprising to observe that teaching, teacher, and teacher education in STEM in K-12 education (TC1) and teachers and teaching in STEM at post-secondary level (TC2) were not popular topic areas among those highly cited research publications. It would be interesting to see if possible changes may take place in the future.

figure 6

Trends in research topic distributions, 2020–2022

In comparison to what we can learn from previous research reviews (Li et al., 2020 ; Li & Xiao, 2022 ), the results from this study seemingly present a different picture in terms of the “hot” topics. However, it should be pointed out that this study was restricted in identifying and selecting high impact empirical research publications in STEM education from the WoS database, different from previous reviews in terms of both journal coverages and the scope of publication inclusion. In fact, there were many highly cited research reviews and conceptual papers in STEM education but excluded from review in this study.

Consistencies and Changes in the Top 100 Most-cited Empirical STEM Research Journal Publications Identified from Two Searches Using Different WoS Categories

Now we come to the two searches conducted in 2022 using different WoS categories, as mentioned above. One search was conducted using one category (“Education Educational Research”). The results of the top 100 most-cited publications were presented above together with the results from 2021 and 2020 searches. The second search was conducted using all four categories listed under “education,” including “Education Educational Research,” “Education Scientific Disciplines,” “Psychology Educational,” and “Education Special.” Some journals may be classified and listed in more than one category, for example, IJSTEM that is listed under both “Education Educational Research” and “Education Scientific Disciplines.” Nevertheless, it is clear that the 2nd search covered more journals and publications with all four categories.

Table 4 shows the list of all journals (50) that published the top 100 most-cited empirical research articles from these two searches, with 43 journals published the top 100 identified in the 1st search and 45 journals in the second search. The vast majority of the journals were the same (38). At the same time, we observed a few important differences. First, there were a few journals (see journal titles in bold in Table 4 , all SSCI journals) likely not listed under “Education Educational Research” but published highly cited empirical research articles in STEM education, especially CBE-Life Science Education (CBE-LSE) and the Journal of Educational Psychology . The inclusion of these new journals from the search actually resulted in significant changes to the allocation of top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in other journals. Moreover, if taking a close look at these nine articles published in CBE-LSE (a journal specified with STEM discipline), we found that these articles were all published more recently from 2014 to 2019, with three in 2014, two in 2015, and one in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The result is consistent with a trend we noticed above from Fig.  3 .

Second, some journals (see journal titles in italics in Table 4 ) from the first search being pushed out in the second search, as publications in these journals did not have high enough citations for inclusion as part of the top 100 list. Moreover, these five journals were all on general education research, except one ( Physical Review Physics Education Research ).

Taken together, the results suggest that differences can occur with the use of different categories in the WoS searches. The use of all four categories under “education” would make the search more inclusive, which is what we conducted in the WoS core database search in the recent research review (Li et al., 2022 ).

Concluding Remarks

This study, for the first time, examined trends in highly cited empirical research publications in STEM education, through reviewing the top 100 most-cited journal articles identified from the WoS core database in each of three consecutive years. The systematic analysis of these publications reveals the on-going accumulation and development of STEM education scholarship. Although empirical research in STEM education has been consistently published in many well-established journals especially in educational research, our analysis shows that a growing number of those highly cited research articles were published in journals specified more or less with STEM discipline(s). In particular, among the top 10 journals that published more than 50% of those top 100 most-cited articles in each search, the International Journal of STEM Education was able to make to the top 10 journal list even though it is the only one established after 2000.

Across these three searches, the vast majority of those highly cited research publications focused on multidisciplinary STEM education. At the same time, the lists of publications identified from recent searches in 2021 and 2022 contain no publication on a single discipline of STEM before 2011 but an increasing number of publications on multidisciplinary STEM education in recent years. A trend shows an increased interest and development in recent publications on multi- and interdisciplinary STEM education.

With a restriction on empirical research in STEM education from the WoS database, this study differed from previous research reviews that covered all types of articles on STEM education in different journals (e.g., Li & Xiao, 2022 ; Li et al., 2020 ). Nevertheless, our analysis in this study shows that culture, social, and gender issues in STEM education (TC6) and STEM learner, learning, and learning environments at post-secondary level (TC4) were popular topic areas among those highly cited research publications. In contrast, teaching, teacher, and teacher education in STEM in K-12 education (TC1) and teacher and teaching in STEM at post-secondary level (TC2) were not popular. As research in these TCs has been growing with increased publications (Li & Xiao, 2022 ), we would not be surprised if more publications in these areas will appear in the top 100 research publication list in the future.

It may also be the case that teaching, teachers, and teacher preparation are the focus of already-published research that is still too recent to have accumulated the citations necessary to become highly cited. If one major goal of literature reviews is to help scholars identify promising topics of inquiry, this “lag” time problem suggests that citations—while a helpful proxy—need to be supplemented with other indicators, including those that may not be even dependent on the arduous (and often lengthy) process of getting one’s work published in a journal. A recent review of publications in the International Journal of STEM Education shows the value of using different indicators for publication performance measurements, such as altmetrics (Li, 2022 ). Finding other ways to locate the field’s promising topics will benefit researchers and journals such as ours which can play an important role in providing a platform for sharing and promoting integrated research in STEM education.

Data Availability

The data and materials used and analyzed for the report were obtained through searching the Web of Science database, and related journal information are available directly from these journals’ websites.

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Li, Y., Xiao, Y., Wang, K., Zhang, N., Pang, Y., Wang, R., Qi, C., Yuan, Z., Xu, J., Nite, S. B., & Star, J. R. (2022). A systematic review of high impact empirical studies in STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 9: 73.

Marín-Marín, J.-A., Moreno-Guerrero, A.-J., Dúo-Terrón, P., & López-Belmonte, J. (2021). STEAM in education: A bibliometric analysis of performance and co-words in Web of Science. International Journal of STEM Education, 8 , 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00296-x

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The authors wish to thank Jeff Davis and the staff at Springer for their support in publishing this article.

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Li, Y., Wang, K., Xiao, Y. et al. Trends in Highly Cited Empirical Research in STEM Education: a Literature Review. Journal for STEM Educ Res 5 , 303–321 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-022-00081-7

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Identifying the initial steps in colorectal cancer formation

Research led by Weill Cornell Medicine provides new evidence that most colorectal cancers begin with the loss of intestinal stem cells, even before cancer-causing genetic alterations appear. The results, published on May 29 in Developmental Cell, overturn the prevailing theory for colorectal tumor initiation and suggest new ways to diagnose the disease before it has a chance to become established.

"Colorectal cancer is very, very heterogeneous, which has made it difficult for many years to classify these tumors in order to inform therapy," said senior author Dr. Jorge Moscat, Homer T. Hirst III Professor of Oncology in Pathology and Vice-Chair for Cell and Cancer Pathobiology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. This heterogeneity, the diverse characteristics of colorectal tumor cells in different patients and also within the same tumor, makes treatment particularly challenging.

Colorectal tumors can arise from two types of pre-cancerous polyps: conventional adenomas and serrated adenomas. Conventional adenomas were thought to develop from mutations in the normal stem cells that lie at the bottoms of intestinal crypts, pit-like structures in the lining of the intestine. Serrated adenomas, on the other hand, are associated with a different type of stem-like cell with fetal characteristics that appears mysteriously at the tops of the crypts. Scientists in the field have described these apparently distinct tumor-forming processes as "bottom-up" and "top-down."

"We wanted to determine how those two routes really start and how they progress, so we can better understand their heterogeneity as the cancer progresses," said co-senior author Dr. Maria Diaz-Meco, Homer T. Hirst Professor of Oncology in Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a member of the Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. That's particularly important for serrated tumors, which doctors sometimes miss because of their initial flat shape, and which can become aggressive cancers later.

The co-first authors are Dr. Hiroto Kinoshita and Dr. Anxo Martinez-Ordoñez, postdoctoral associates in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Getting to the Bottom of Colorectal Cancer

The researchers previously found that many human colorectal tumors of both origins have abnormally low levels of proteins called atypical protein kinase C (aPKC). The new study investigated what happens when the aPKC genes are inactivated in animal models and cultured intestinal organoids.

"We approached this project with the bottom-up and top-down theories, but we were surprised to find that both tumor types showed loss of intestinal stem cells after aPKC genes were inactivated," said Dr. Moscat, who is also a member of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The characteristic top-side stem cells on serrated adenomas only arise after the normal stem cells at the bottom of the crypt die, throwing the structure of the entire crypt into disarray. "So, the conventional cancer is bottom-up, and the serrated cancer is also bottom-up," said Dr. Moscat.

The findings suggest a new unified model for the initiation of colorectal cancer where damage to the intestinal crypts causes a decrease in aPKC protein expression, followed by loss of the normal stem cells at the bottom of the crypt. Without those stem cells, the crypt cells can't regenerate. To survive, the structure can spawn either a replacement population of regenerative stem cells at the bottom, or more fetal-like stem cells at the top. These replacement cells may then lead to cancer.

"If we can better understand how aPKC protein expression is regulated, we could control and prevent tumor development, and also better understand the progression of tumors," said Dr. Diaz-Meco. The team is now looking at aPKC expression patterns in human tumors at different stages, with hopes of developing molecular tests that could be used to detect tumors earlier, classify tumors in patients and develop better treatments.

  • Colon Cancer
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Materials provided by Weill Cornell Medicine . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

  • Hiroto Kinoshita, Anxo Martinez-Ordoñez, Tania Cid-Diaz, Qixiu Han, Angeles Duran, Yu Muta, Xiao Zhang, Juan F. Linares, Yuki Nakanishi, Hiroaki Kasashima, Masakazu Yashiro, Kiyoshi Maeda, Ana Albaladejo-Gonzalez, Daniel Torres-Moreno, José García-Solano, Pablo Conesa-Zamora, Giorgio Inghirami, Maria T. Diaz-Meco, Jorge Moscat. Epithelial aPKC deficiency leads to stem cell loss preceding metaplasia in colorectal cancer initiation . Developmental Cell , 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.001

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Seattle University recently received a generous gift of $1.85 million from Steven Rogel in honor of his late wife Connie. The gift continues a legacy of philanthropy that he and Connie began building decades ago. This latest contribution underscores their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities at the university, particularly in teacher education, nursing and STEM disciplines. This gift follows an endowment created for the inaugural Rogel Professorship in the College of Science and Engineering, awarded to Associate Professor Stephen Luckey, PhD, in 2022.

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The Rogels’ support for Seattle University has been transformational. In addition to the Rogel Professorship they have contributed to the construction of the rain garden at the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, along with establishing the Rogel Anatomy and Physiology Lab.

Notably, their latest gift establishes the Rogel Equipment Endowment, which will support the purchase and maintenance of advanced scientific equipment for teaching and research in STEM fields, with a focus on biotechnology, and health care education.

In addition to the equipment endowment, the Rogels also established scholarships to support students pursuing teaching and nursing degrees. The Connie R. Rogel Endowed Scholarship for Teacher Education will support master’s students in education, particularly those interested in teaching STEM subjects. Similarly, the Rogel Endowed Nursing Scholarship assists students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, with a focus on gerontology, or the study of aging adults. With the professorship, the focus is on a faculty member who is conducting bio-medical or bio-engineering research while engaging with and including undergraduate student researchers.

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Pretty much all the headaches at MSPs stem from cybersecurity

More cybercrime means more problems as understaffed teams stretched to the limit.

Managed Service Partners (MSPs) say cybersecurity dwarfs all other main concerns about staying competitive in today's market.

Adding to the already notoriously strained existence of an MSP is work that even folk in the infosec industry struggle to keep up with, and leaves those looking after client systems and IT struggling to juggle it all.

Adversaries don't break into organizations – they log in...

The findings were among security shop Sophos' latest survey of MSPs across the US, UK, Australia, and Germany – although the majority of responses came from the US.

The top three challenges reported by MSPs on the whole were all related to cybersecurity, illustrating the importance placed on it by customers:

Staying on top of security technologies

Employing additional security analysts to meet the pace of customer growth

Maintaining awareness of the latest threats

Keeping up-to-date with the latest technologies and solutions was also the most commonly reported answer when MSPs were asked about the single biggest challenge their business faces.

"Given the speed of innovation in this space, it is unsurprising that many MSPs are struggling to keep up," the report reads. 

"As threats evolve, so do the cyber controls that stop them. Existing technologies gain new capabilities while brand-new products are regularly released to the market. Keeping on top of all these developments is both difficult and time-consuming."

When asked about the biggest risks to their own businesses and their clients, many cited a shortage in security skills. Sophos' survey revealed that the single biggest perceived risk to both MSPs and their customers is a dearth of in-house security talent.

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We won't misquote that myth that there are four million unfilled infosec jobs out there, or however many it's supposed to be now (the figure actually refers to how many qualified infoseccers there should be to meet the global demand for cyber services). However, the latest figures illustrate that the problem isn't improving, and hasn't for many years, as security becomes even more important for organizations while there just aren't the skills out there to satisfy the need.

For MSPs that offer managed detection and response (MDR) services and have an in-house security operations center (SOC), the average number of analysts staffing that SOC is 15, but there is a large variation between organizations that is largely dependent on the MSP's size. 

Guess who's up 2am local time? Yep, an attacker working in a different time zone

Smaller MSPs will naturally have far fewer analysts, and delivering a robust 24/7 service, which is fairly essential given attackers' habits of timing their operations during antisocial hours, becomes nigh-on impossible. 

In addition to the staffing issue, MSPs admit that having legitimate credentials stolen and bought by cybercriminals presents an equally severe danger to themselves and their clients.

"Adversaries don't break into organizations – they log in," Sophos said. "Using stolen access data and credentials, often purchased on the dark web from an initial access broker (IAB), they impersonate legitimate employees to penetrate their target."

The vendor's data indicates that nearly a third of all ransomware attacks (29 percent) last year began as a result of miscreants acquiring login credentials, allowing them to gain an initial foothold in the victim's environment. 

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Sophos' observation is the same across the board. Both IBM and CrowdStrike released reports earlier this year showing a huge increase in cybercrims using valid credentials to launch attacks. 

IBM said it noticed a 71 percent year-on-year increase, representing 30 percent of all incidents it was called in to investigate. That makes it as dangerous as phishing , which also comprised 30 percent of all initial access vectors, according to its figures.

Phishing is and has been for some time considered to be the most common way attackers launch attacks, preying on human error. However, this tried and tested method was down 44 percent last year, IBM said earlier this year, thanks to, in part, the rise of credential abuse.

Sophos says that choosing partners that offer a wide variety of fully featured tools and services, and choosing a managed detection and response (MDR) partner that can alleviate that talent shortage, could go a long way in helping MSPs – especially the smaller ones – keep up with customers' growing demands for infosec expertise. ®

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    Educational experiences in formal settings are shaped by curricular decisions. The Center's research in curriculum studies explores the questions of why STEM should be addressed as part of schooling, what ideas should be addressed, and how might they best be organized to engage young people in the core ideas and practices of the disciplines ...

  20. Trends and Hot Topics of STEM and STEM Education: a Co-word ...

    This study explored research trends in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Descriptive analysis and co-word analysis were used to examine articles published in Social Science Citation Index journals from 2011 to 2020. From a search of the Web of Science database, a total of 761 articles were selected as target samples for analysis. A growing number of STEM ...

  21. Trends in Highly Cited Empirical Research in STEM Education: a

    The top 100 most-cited empirical research publications in STEM education were identified through topic search of specific terms ("STEM," "STEAM," or "science, technology, engineering, and mathematics"), as it was done in other research reviews (Li et al., 2020, 2022). However, the author's self-inclusion of such identifier(s) did ...

  22. 260+ Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students

    Environmental Science Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students. Studying the Impact of Deforestation on Local Climate Patterns. Investigating the Role of Ocean Acidification on Coral Reefs. Analyzing the Efficiency of Different Waste Management Strategies. Exploring the Effect of Air Pollution on Human Health.

  23. STEM Camp: STEM Research Topics

    Resources for participants at IRSC's 2013 STEM camp. Ideas for a research paper using a science, technology, engineering, or math topic.

  24. Stem Cell Study Reveals Distinct Population of 'Troublemaker' Platelet

    As stem cell biologists, the researchers at UC Santa Cruz approached this question by investigating the hematopoietic stem cells. They conducted experiments that allowed them to trace the lineages of these stem cells in mouse models, and discovered that in aged mice some of their platelets did not travel along the differentiation pathway ...

  25. Researchers find key differences in brain development between autistic

    A new study led by UC Davis researchers finds widespread differences in brain development between autistic boys and girls ages 2-13. The study, published recently in Molecular Psychiatry, found sex-specific changes in the thickness of the outer layer of the brain, called the cortex. Brain regions associated with autism showed different rates of ...

  26. Identifying the initial steps in colorectal cancer formation

    Research provides new evidence that most colorectal cancers begin with the loss of intestinal stem cells, even before cancer-causing genetic alterations appear. The results overturn the prevailing ...

  27. May 30, 2024

    Continue Reading article Richard Claassen: Manhattan Project veteran, fundamental research champion Inquisitive minds, exploring a new world A group of volunteers from Sandia visited an elementary school on the Cochiti Pueblo to demonstrate STEM concepts with fun activities.

  28. Frontiers ebook releases: May 2024

    Frontiers ebook releases: May 2024. Download the top ebook releases from this month, including: All ebooks are free to download, share, and distribute. Shape the future of your field — and publish your own ebook — by editing a special collection around your research area. Learn more about Research Topics or submit your suggestion.

  29. 2024

    Written by Tina Potterf. May 21, 2024. Generous gift will support education and nursing programs and STEM research and education. Seattle University recently received a generous gift of $1.85 million from Steven Rogel in honor of his late wife Connie. The gift continues a legacy of philanthropy that he and Connie began building decades ago.

  30. Cybersecurity is the cause of MSPs' headaches • The Register

    Connor Jones. Thu 30 May 2024 // 10:30 UTC. Managed Service Partners (MSPs) say cybersecurity dwarfs all other main concerns about staying competitive in today's market. Adding to the already notoriously strained existence of an MSP is work that even folk in the infosec industry struggle to keep up with, and leaves those looking after client ...