JOHN MICHAEL M.

IBRAHIM
REPORTER
 WHAT IS A RESEARCH TITLE?

The title summarizes the main idea

or ideas of your study
A good title contains the fewest
possible words needed to
adequately describe the content
and/or purpose of your research
paper.
 TITLES

Without Subtitle:
Example:
The Effects of Extra-Curricular Activities on
Student’s Perceived Academic Self-Efficacy

With Subtitle:
Example:
Preparing Middle School Children for College:
Attitudes about College and Their Effect on Student
Motivation
 WHAT IS A RESEARCH TITLE?

The title summarizes the main idea

or ideas of your study
A good title contains the fewest
possible words needed to
adequately describe the content
and/or purpose of your research
paper.
 IMPORTANCE OF
CHOOSING A GOOD TITLE

The title is the part of a paper

that is read the most, and it is
usually read first.
 IMPORTANCE OF
CHOOSING A GOOD TITLE
If the title is too long, this usually
indicates there are too many
unnecessary words
On the other hand, a title which is
too short often uses words which
are too general and does not tell the
reader what is being studied
 IMPORTANCE OF
CHOOSING A GOOD TITLE

A good title will provide

information about the focus
of your research study.
STRUCTURE AND WRITING STYLE

The following parameters can be used to

help you formulate a suitable research
paper title:
1. The purpose of the research
Example: The Effects of Students’ Participation in
Organized, Competitive Sports on Academic
Success
STRUCTURE AND WRITING STYLE

The following parameters can be used to

help you formulate a suitable research
paper title:
2. The narrative tone of the paper
Example: Implementation of Deming's style of
quality management: An action research in a
plastics company
STRUCTURE AND WRITING STYLE

The following parameters can be used to

help you formulate a suitable research
paper title:
3. The methods used
Example: Networking as marketing strategy:
A case study of small community businesses
STRUCTURE AND WRITING STYLE

The initial aim of a title is to

capture the reader’s attention and
to draw attention to the research
problem being investigated.
 CREATE A WORKING TITLE

Typically, the final title you submit to

your professor is created after the
research is complete so that the title
accurately captures what has been
done.
 CREATE A WORKING TITLE

The working title should be developed

early in the research process because it
can help anchor the focus of the study in
much the same way the research problem
does
Referring back to the working title can
help you reorient yourself back to the
main purpose of the study
 THE FINAL TITLE

Effective titles in academic research

papers have several characteristics:

1. Indicate accurately the subject

and scope of the study
Characteristics of effective titles

2. Rarely use abbreviations unless

they are commonly known

3. Use current nomenclature from

the field of study
Ex: Bobcats were once known by the scientific name, Felis rufus, this name has
since been changed to Lynx rufus
Characteristics of effective titles

4. Use words that create a positive

impression and stimulate reader
interest
Ex: Dancing with a giant: The effect of Wal-Mart's entry
into the United Kingdom in the performance of
European retailers

Something old, something new: A longitudinal study of

search behaviour and new product introduction
Characteristics of effective titles

5. Identify key variables, both

dependent and independent

Example: The Effects of Cooperative

Learning on Student Achievement
Characteristics of effective titles

6. May reveal how the paper will be

organized

7. Suggest a relationship between

variables which supports the
major hypothesis
Characteristics of effective titles

8. Is limited to 10 to 15 substantive
words
ex: The Impact of Parental
Involvement on the Academic
Achievement of 3rd Grade Students
Characteristics of effective titles

9. Does not include redundant

phrasing, such as, "A study of,"
"An analysis of" or similar
constructions
Ex: A study of the Effects of Cooperative
Learning on Student Achievement
Characteristics of effective titles

10. May be in the form of a question

or declarative statement
Example:
1. Do Teachers Who Accommodate Different
Learning Styles Increase Students’ Likelihoods
to Succeed?
2. Do Anti-Bullying Programs Work?
Characteristics of effective titles

11. If you use a quote as part of the

title, the source of the quote is
cited [usually using an asterisk
and footnote]
Example: Spinal Cord Compression in Patients
With Advanced Metastatic Cancer: "All I Care
About Is Walking and Living My Life“
*by JL Abrahm - 2008
 Characteristics of effective titles

12. Use correct grammar and capitalization with

all first words and last words capitalized,
including the first word of a subtitle. All
nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and
adverbs that appear between the first and
last words of the title are also capitalized
Ex: The Relationship Between Low Socioeconomic Status
and Student Achievement
Characteristics of effective titles

13. Rarely uses an exclamation

mark at the end of the title.