phd thesis environmental science

Home > School, College, or Department > CLAS > ESM > Dissertations and Theses

Environmental Science and Management Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Phytoplankton Community as an Indicator of Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms in High Mountain Lakes , Victoria Elizabeth Avalos

Structure-from-Motion Derived Snow Cover in Burned Forests of the Western Oregon Cascades , Siobhan Ciafone

Forest Fire Effects on Snow Storage and Melt Across Scales of Forest Recovery in the Western Oregon Cascades , Megan Nicole Guinn

Impacts of Floodplain Restoration on Water Temperature and Macroinvertebrates in Whychus Creek, Oregon , Wesley Nathan Noone

Race and Income as Predictors of Trust in Flood Mitigation Strategies , Wendy Nathaly Sangucho Loachamin

Collaborative Action in Informal Social Networks of Wildfire Managers in Northwestern Wyoming , Hannah Lynn Spencer

How Are Oregon's Rural Indigenous Communities Overcoming Water Access Issues? , Tyren John Thompson

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Effects of Green Crab ( Carcinus maenas ) Across Variable Densities of Eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) , Kimberly Alexis Brown

Temperature and Predator Effects on Green Crabs ( Carcinus maenas ) and Their Distribution in South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve , Elissa Connolly-Randazzo

Mapping Ecosystem Service Flows of Estuary Restoration Projects on the Oregon Coast to Identify Impacted Stakeholders , Shersten King Finley

Modeling Postfire Effects on Snow Albedo and Forest Recovery Over a Chronosequence of Burned Forests in the Triple Divide Region of the Rocky Mountains , Anton J. Surunis

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Multi-scale Environmental Conditions Associated with Shade-Tolerant Conifer Regeneration in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon , Matthew Cook

Forest Fire Effects on the Temporal Variability of Landscape Snow Albedo Relative to Burn Severity , Max Gersh

The Use of Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies as Indicators of Fine Sediment Pollution in Salmon-Bearing Streams of the Pacific Northwest , Cory Michael McCaffrey

A Ground-Based Assessment Framework for Validating Diesel Particulate Emission Models and Applicability in Portland, OR , Kirsten Marie Sarle

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A Seasonal Study of Ecoroof Metal and Nutrient Dynamics and Associated Drivers in an Ecoroof on a Commercial Building in North Portland Oregon , Alex Vijay Bans

Wildfire Risk Assessment for a Municipal Watershed in Western Oregon, USA: Methods for Projecting the Impact of Mid-21st Century Climate Change on Wildfire Hazard , Andy McEvoy

Before and After the Storm: Interactions between Tree-Fall Canopy Gaps, Plant Phenology, and Frugivorous Lemurs in Masoala National Park, Madagascar , Monica Sue Mogilewsky

Modeling Spatiotemporal Patterns of PM2.5 at the Sub-Neighborhood Scale Using Low-Cost Sensor Networks , Philip Jeffrey Orlando

Do Fungal Symbionts of Salt Marsh Plants Affect Interspecies Competition? , Vanessa Robertson-Rojas

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Impact of Infrastructure on Habitat Connectivity for Wildlife , Leslie Lynne Bliss-Ketchum

The Invasion Ecology of Ivy ( Hedera spp.) in Portland's Forest Park , Eric Paul Butler

Stormwater Treatment Effectiveness of Established Bioretention Facilities in Portland, Oregon , Emma Rose Kohlsmith

The Influence of Neighborhood Landscape Characteristics on Native Bird Communities: Implications for Increasing Biodiversity in Our Yards , Michael E. Vermeulen

Are We Providing Preferred Floral Resources for Bees in Our Neighborhoods? : Assessing the Relationship Between Small Scale Vegetation Metrics and Bee Presence in SE Portland , Hailey Wallace

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Public Participation in Plant-Pollinator Conservation: Key Assessment Areas that Support Networked Restoration and Monitoring , Kerissa Battle

Ecology and Population Dynamics of Salmonids in the Columbia River: Response of Fishes to Anthropogenic Change in a Large Riverscape , Timothy Sean Elder

Removing Dams, Constructing Science: Watershed Restoration Through a Socio-Eco-Technical Systems Lens , Zbigniew Jakub Grabowski

Long-term Variation of Summer Phytoplankton Communities in an Urban Lake in Relation to Lake Management and Climate Conditions , Yuan Xiao Grund

Lone Wolves and Copycats: Assessing Policy and Infrastructure for Flood Hazard and Floodplain Management , Samantha L. Hamlin

Rock Glaciers of the Contiguous United States: Spatial Distribution, Cryospheric Context, and Riparian Vegetation , Gunnar Forrest Johnson

Mooring Impacts on Zostera marina Meadows and Associated Epifauna in Nantucket Harbor, Massachusetts, USA , Andrew Wright McCandless

Recovery of Zooplankton Communities to Whole-Lake Disturbance , Brian Newton McGann

Modeling Spawning Habitat Potential for Chum (Onchorhynchus keta) and Pink Salmon (O. gorbuscha) in Relation to Landscape Characteristics in Coastal Southeast Alaska , Bernard Timothy Romey

Using Wetlands to Prevent the Surface Accumulation of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae from Upper Klamath Lake , Arick Christopher Rouhe

Soil Phosphorus Characterization and Vulnerability to Release in Urban Stormwater Bioretention Facilities , Benjamin James Shetterly

Effectiveness of Pollinator Enhancements in Portland Community Orchards , Jess Alan Tyler

Composition and Dispersal Dynamics of Vegetation Communities in Urban Riparian Forests , Christa von Behren

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Urban Impacts to Forest Productivity, Soil Quality, and Canopy Structure in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon , Andrew David Addessi

Modeling of Ultrafine Particle Emissions and Ambient Levels for the Near Roadside Environment , Sauda Ahmed

Influence of Mixing and Buoyancy on Competition Between Cyanobacteria Species in Upper Klamath Lake , Roberta Joann Brunkalla

Turbidity Dynamics during High-Flow Storm Events in the Clackamas River, Oregon 2006-2012 , Micelis Clyde Doyle

Root-enhanced Infiltration in Stormwater Bioretention Facilities in Portland, Oregon , Ted David Hart

Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary , Sarah Ann Kidd

Invertebrate Community Composition Across Inundation Regimes and Its Potential to Reduce Plant Stress , Inez Ilicia Lawson

Non-Native Mangroves ( Rhizophora mangle ) of Moloka'i, Hawai'i: a Socio-Ecological Analysis , Casey Lynette Lewis

Investigation of Ambient Reactive Nitrogen Emissions Sources and Deposition in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area , Jacinda L. Mainord

Anthropogenic Effects on the Fouling Community: Impacts of Biological Invasions and Anthropogenic Structures on Community Structure , Whitney Elizabeth McClees

Wolbachia -Host Interactions and the Implications to Insect Conservation and Management , Amy Michelle Truitt

Responses of Aquatic Non-Native Species to Novel Predator Cues and Increased Mortality , Brian Christopher Turner

A Numerical Model Investigation of the Role of the Glacier Bed in Regulating Grounding Line Retreat of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica , Michael Scott Waibel

The Social Acceptance of Community Solar: a Portland Case Study , Anne Weaver

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Terroir of Pinot Noir Wine in the Willamette Valley, Oregon : A Broad Analysis of Vineyard Soils, Grape Juice and Wine Chemistry , Kathryn Nora Barnard

Understanding the Importance of Intermittently Fragmented Stream Habitat for Isolated Westslope Cutthroat Trout ( Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi ) in the Colville National Forest, Washington , Forrest Michael Carpenter

An Investigation of Invasion: Boater Knowledge Concerning Aquatic Invasive Species and the Influence of the New Zealand Mud Snail on Benthic Food Webs , Samuel Anthony Cimino

Watershed Management and Private Lands: Moving Beyond Financial Incentives to Encourage Land Stewardship , Matthew Thomas DeAngelo

Green Roofs and Urban Biodiversity: Their Role as Invertebrate Habitat and the Effect of Design on Beetle Community , Sydney Marie Gonsalves

Assessing Sense of Place and Geo-literacy Indicators as Learning Outcomes of an International Teacher Professional Development Program , Nancee Hunter

A Landscape Approach to Determining and Predicting Juvenile Coho Salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) Movement Timing and Growth Patterns Prior to Ocean Entry , Amelia Lee Johnson

The Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Mercury Concentrations and Community Composition of Freshwater Zooplankton , Meredith Powers Jordan

Improving the Roadside Environment through Integrating Air Quality and Traffic-Related Data , Christine M. Kendrick

Biofouling Management in the Pacific Northwest and Predation on Native versus Non-native Ascidians , Erin Suzanne Kincaid

Pharmaceutical Contaminants as Stressors on Rocky Intertidal and Estuarine Organisms: a Case Study of Fluoxetine , Joseph Richard Peters

Investigating the Potential of Land Use Modifications to Mitigate the Respiratory Health Impacts of NO2: A Case Study in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Area , Meenakshi Rao

Effects of Antibiotic Mixtures across Marine Intertidal Trophic Levels: Examining Environmentally-Relevant Contaminant Concentrations , Jaclyn Rebecca Teixeira

Relationships that Extend Beyond the Fence-Line: Private Landowner Attitudes and Interest in Conservation Easements , Ashley Lyn Vizek

Watershed Response to Climate Change and Fire-Burns in the Upper Umatilla River Basin Using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System , Kimberly Crystal Yazzie

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Response of Zooplankton Communities in Montane Lakes of Different Fish Stocking Histories to Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Simulations , Jeffrey Thomas Brittain

Ninth Grade Student Responses to Authentic Science Instruction , Michael Steven Ellison

The Erosion of Coastal Sediment and Regeneration of Rhizophora mangle Following Anthropogenic Disturbance on Turneffe Atoll, Belize , Heather Lyn Hayden

Effects of Selective Logging and Roads on Instream Fine Sediments and Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in the Clackamas Basin, Oregon , Paula Elizabeth Hood

Investigations of the Air-Water Interface: A Structural Analysis of Metallic Surface Films and Aquatic Surface Films by Comparative Microscopy , Randall William Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Community level impacts associated with the invasion of English ivy (Hedera spp.) in Forest Park: a look at the impacts of ivy on community composition and soil moisture , Sara Rose Copp

Managing for Resistance and Resilience of Northern Great Lakes Forests to the Effects of Climate Change , Matthew Joshua Duveneck

Macroinvertebrates and Excessive Fine Sediment Conditions in Oregon Coastal Streams , Patrick M. Edwards

Cascades Island Lamprey Passage Structure: Evaluating Passage and Migration Following Structure Modifications , Siena Marie Lopez-Johnston

Informal Trails and the Spread of Invasive Species in Urban Natural Areas: Spatial Analysis of Informal Trails and their Effects on Understory Plant Communities in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon , Jill Elise Van Winkle

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Effects of Increased Nitrogen Deposition on the Dominance of Hedera helix in the Pacific Northwest , Bianca Christine Dolan

Social-Ecological Dynamics of Coral Reef Resource Use and Management , Sarah J. Freed

Natural Area Stewardship Volunteers: Motivations, Attitudes, Behaviors , Corinne Handelman

The Role of Wood Microsites at Timberline-Alpine Meadow Borders for Conifer Regeneration , Adelaide Chapman Johnson

The Production of Organic Nitrates in Portland Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge , Holly Ann Neill

Modeling Fecal Bacteria in Oregon Coastal Streams Using Spatially Explicit Watershed Characteristics , Paul Bryce Pettus

Status of Nutria (Myocastor coypus) Populations in the Pacific Northwest and Development of Associated Control and Management Strategies, with an Emphasis on Metropolitan Habitats , Trevor Robert Sheffels

Evaluating the Effects of Road Crossing Structures on Stream-Associated Amphibians in the Wilson River Watershed, Tillamook State Forest, Oregon , Sara Erin Twitchell

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Where Is the Rain-on-Snow Zone in the West-Central Washington Cascades?: Monte Carlo Simulation of Large Storms in the Northwest , Matthew John Brunengo

Stream-Associated Amphibian Habitat Assessment in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Region , Andrew Evans Dietrich

Long-term Responses of Phalaris arundinacea and Columbia River Bottomland Vegetation to Managed Flooding , Tina Schantz Farrelly

Late-Holocene Flood History, Flood-Frequency, and Paleoclimate Analysis of the Central Black Hills, South Dakota , Tessa M. Harden

Site Selection by Migratory Shorebirds in Oregon Estuaries Over Broad and Fine Spatial Scales , Aileen Kilpatrick Miller

Development of a Nephelometry Camera and Humidity Controlled Cavity Ring-Down Transmissometer for the Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties , James Gregory Radney

The Role of Habitat Restoration and Conservation in the Changing Socio-economic Conditions of Grant County, Oregon , Kristen Lauren Senkyr

An Investigation of Urban Mobile Source Aerosol Using Optical Properties Measured by CRDT/N: Diesel Particulate Matter and the Impact of Biodiesel , Monica Elizabeth Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Interception in Open-grown Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) Urban Canopy , Mitchell Bixby

Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans , Timothy Mathias Davidson

Cultivating Environmental Stewardship in Middle School Students , Kelly Anne Fischer

Deforestation, Drought and Humans: New Discoveries of the Late Quaternary Paleoenvironment of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) , Candace Lynn Gossen

Riparian Wetland Response to Livestock Exclusion in the Lower Columbia River Basin , Sarah Ann Holmen

Tree Growth and Spatial Pattern in Two Forest Park Permanent Plots: A Look at Stand Composition and Condition , Hannah Beth McDonald

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Diatom-Based Stream Bioassessment: the Roles of Rare Taxa and Live/Dead Ratio , Nadezhda Dimitrova Gillett

Advanced Search

Notify me via email or RSS
Featured Collections
All Authors
Schools & Colleges
Dissertations & Theses
PDXOpen Textbooks
Conferences
Collections
Disciplines
Faculty Expert Gallery
Submit Research
Faculty Profiles
Terms of Use
Feedback Form

Home | About | My Account | Accessibility Statement | Portland State University

Privacy Copyright

Work With Us

Private Coaching

Done-For-You

Short Courses

Client Reviews

Free Resources

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

F inding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

Ecology /ecological science
Atmospheric science
Oceanography
Soil science
Environmental chemistry
Environmental economics
Environmental ethics
Examples of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Need a helping hand?

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.