Tell me if this has happened to you: your phone gets dunked in water (we won’t discuss how), and you start researching to see if putting it in rice will actually save it.
You read a few blog posts and watch a few videos. But instead of immediately putting your phone in a bag of rice, you click on the next article about car cleaning hacks. That leads to an article about cooking pizza with a torch. That leads to an article about new outdoor gear, and before you know it, you’re buying a pair of hiking boots.
It’s a dangerous rabbit hole.
A research paper without a strong thesis statement is a lot like the internet rabbit hole. It offers no clear direction, causing readers to wonder where they’re headed.
Wandering around and feeling a little lost is okay if you want to waste time reading random articles online. But you certainly don’t want your audience of readers to feel like they’re wasting time or wandering aimlessly while they read your paper.
Thus, you need a clear, concise thesis statement to help provide readers with that all-important direction. Not sure how to get there? Let’s talk thesis statements.
A Quick Reminder About the Research Paper Thesis Statement
Before we get to the actual list of thesis statement examples for research papers, let’s talk specifically about thesis statements for this type of paper.
As you may know, a thesis statement is a clear, concise statement that explains the purpose of your paper. It’s a roadmap to help readers understand what to expect as they read.
The thesis statement for a research paper is mostly like any other thesis statement, but it’s a good idea to develop a working thesis statement for your research paper before you actually begin the heavy research.
Keep in mind that you might still need to do some preliminary research in order to develop your ideas and a solid focus for your paper. But it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you start looking.
Knowing what you’re searching for will also help you find better sources and save you a ton of time.
Not convinced?
Consider this. If you have a general sense of your thesis, you won’t start researching technology addiction and end up reading about smartphone addiction, technology in schools, internet addiction, and a million other non-related topics before you find any useful resources about your real topic: the increasing number of teen males in the US who are addicted to video games.
In other words, developing a working thesis before you begin your research will keep you from going down that rabbit hole of information and wasting an entire afternoon.
Looking for a few more reminders about how to write a thesis statement before you start working? Check out these posts:
- How to Write a Thesis Statement in 5 Simple Steps
- How to Make a Thesis Statement the Easy Way (Infographic)
- How to Turn a Good Thesis Statement Into a Great One
Now that you’re feeling refreshed and remember exactly what you need to do to craft the perfect thesis statement, let’s take a look at 15 thesis statement examples for research papers to give you even more inspiration.
15 Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers
The examples I’ve included here are thesis statements for research papers. Because such papers are essentially informative and objective, the thesis statements are too. They don’t necessarily take a stance or attempt to argue a position, but they can.
I’ve also added a few links to example papers to help you see how you might approach the relevant topics.
Now, let’s dive into those 15 thesis statement examples for research papers…
Topic #1: Prison overcrowding
Prison overcrowding creates significant safety risks for both inmates and employees.
Topic #2: Online dating
The advent of the internet has changed the dating scene forever.
Topic #3: Work-life balance
Working parents with young children can suffer from extreme guilt if they cannot maintain a proper work-life balance.
Topic #4: Therapy animals in nursing homes
Therapy animals have been shown to reduce loneliness, lower anxiety, and improve mental functioning in nursing home patients.
Topic #5: Adult children as parental caregivers
Adult children who become caregivers of their aging parents often suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress.
Topic #6: CTE and professional football
Professional football players suffer more than broken bones and strained muscles; they are putting their lives and brains at risk of CTE.
Topic #7: Political scandals
While round-the-clock media coverage suggests that the phenomenon is new, political scandals have been an ever-present reality of American politics.
Topic #8: Cosplay
Cosplay is more than simply dressing up as a character; it is a lifestyle that embodies a character.
Topic #9: Holistic medicine
With increasing concerns about the side effects of prescription medications, many people are turning to holistic medicine for treatment.
Topic #10: Propaganda
Governments have long used propaganda to shape opinions by convincing people to fear and hate enemies and to strengthen nationalism.
Topic #11: Hoarding
Though it can be difficult to convince individuals to seek treatment, hoarding disorder can be effectively treated through behavioral therapy.
Topic #12: Body modification
Many people mistakenly believe that tattoos are a relatively recent phenomenon; however, body modification has been popular for thousands of years.
Topic #13: Fad diets
Fad diets have been prominent in American culture for generations, but many such diets pose potential health risks.
Topic #14: Stereotypes
Generational stereotypes have a profound effect on the media’s portrayal of each group.
Topic #15: Gender discrimination
Many people associate gender discrimination with the adult workforce; however, gender discrimination begins at a much younger age and is present even in elementary schools.
Just in Case You’re Not Yet Inspired
If these topics and thesis statement examples for research papers don’t do it for you, don’t worry. There’s still hope.
The following posts contain a combined total of 167 thesis statements. While most of the thesis statements are for papers other than research papers, you can use the topics and thesis statements for ideas.
- 110 Good Thesis Statements for a Better Essay
- 15 Thesis Statements to Inspire Your Next Argumentative Essay
- 12 Argumentative Thesis Statement Examples to Help Your Next Essay
- 30 Thesis Statement Examples That Are…Persuasive
Once you have a topic, use our thesis statement builder to help craft the perfect thesis statement for your research essay.
Need a little more help with your thesis statement or any other aspect of your essay? Let us help!
