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220 Best Humanities Research Topics to Get Started

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Humanities is a broad academic discipline that deals with the various facets of culture and human society. It mainly involves the study of languages, philosophy, literature, religion, art, history, law, archaeology, and anthropology. If you are a humanities student, then as a part of your course, you will have to submit a research paper on any interesting topic related to the subject. In case, you are unsure what topic to choose for your humanities research paper, then check this blog post. For your convenience, here, we have presented a list of the great humanities research topics in various categories. Also, we have shared a few significant tips for selecting a good humanities research topic.

Without wasting your time, explore this blog post and get more ideas for humanities research paper writing.

Humanities Research Topics

Tips for Selecting a Good Humanities Research Topic

Before jumping into the humanities research topics list, first, let us take a look at how to select a good humanities research topic.

Usually, when it comes to research paper writing assignments, your professors will share some writing prompts for you to choose from. But, at certain times, they will allow you to select a topic on your own. In such a scenario, you may get confused about what topic to choose.

If you are given a chance to select the humanities research topic of your choice, follow the below-mentioned tips. It would help you identify an ideal humanities research topic.

  • Pick a practical research topic.
  • Choose a topic that belongs to your area of interest.
  • Go with a topic that is related to both the current and historical perspectives.
  • Give preference to the topic that is impactful to society.
  • Never pick a topic with no or less research scope.
  • Select a topic that is matching to the research methodology of your choice.
  • Consider a topic that is interesting and informative to your readers.
  • Choose a research topic that has extensive information and credible sources for reference.
  • Select a topic that contains valid facts, evidence, or examples supporting your major points of discussion.

Besides all these steps, before finalizing your research topic, check whether the topic you have identified stands in line with the writing guidelines of your professor or university. Once you have chosen a perfect humanities research topic, start writing the research paper by using your writing skills, after conducting deep research.

List of the Best Humanities Research Topics

To write a humanities research paper, you can choose a topic from any discipline such as arts, religion, philosophy, medicine, etc.

Humanities Research Topics

Especially, to make your topic selection process simple and help you save time, below we have added a list of outstanding humanities research paper ideas on various categories. Go through the entire list carefully and pick any topic that is convenient for you to research and write about.

Basic Humanities Research Paper Topics

  • Assess the best strategies for negotiations during wars.
  • How do body image issues change with age?
  • Does book reading make people more social?
  • How does economic prosperity affect the feeling of patriotism?
  • Explain the effects of gender-based violence on children’s personalities.
  • Explain how social media affect America’s political decisions.
  • What are the social changes in developed nations?
  • Research the effectiveness of the UN in fostering global peace.
  • Discuss the negative impacts of teen pregnancies.
  • What is the role of America in Europe’s restoration after WWII?
  • Discuss the role of artists in a time of war
  • Application of the views of Socrates to western democracy in the 21 st Century
  • Evaluation of Appalachian language and its academic power
  • Critical analysis of the role of conflicts in violence
  • Why building resilience is important for ensuring environmental sustainability?
  • Perspective pathways to greater human flourishing
  • Regional Identity and Appalachian Language
  • The 18th Century Conventions of Feminism and Jane Austen
  • How can the theories of Socrates be applied to 21st-century Western Democracy?
  • Briefly discuss the historical tension between religion and science with examples

Excellent Humanities Project Ideas

  • Compare human and animal sacrifice in religion.
  • Are fast foods spoiling traditional food cultures?
  • What are the pros and cons of studying gender issues in school?
  • How photography is framing public opinion in the 21st century?
  • Investigate the role of the justice system in advancing equality.
  • Compare African socialism in the 1950 and 1970s.
  • Discuss the environmental foundations necessary for humanities.
  • Explain the pros and cons of studying humanities.
  • Discuss how cultural stereotypes are developed by superstitions.
  • Why is it hard to stop bullying in school?
  • Research why language is essential for any society to thrive.
  • What impact do graphic novels have on literacy?
  • Assess human communication and behavior.
  • How oral history has affected modern culture?
  • How science fiction has invaded the mainstream culture around the world?
  • How do intersectionality and gender bias affect inclusion and diversity in the workplace?
  • Describe the current status of transgender and other sexual minority communities in Canada
  • Discuss some common social justice issues across every country in the world
  • Humanity is the best religion and the essence of human existence: Explain
  • Impact of the feminism movement on society

Great Humanities Research Paper Topics

  • Discuss the link between bureaucracy and the law-making process.
  • Write about the executive power in the US.
  • What are the ethical issues involved in media advertising?
  • Explain the connection between Italian fashion and Chinese culture.
  • Discuss the impact of dual nationality on political views.
  • Analyze the effects of poverty in rural communities.
  • How Twitter has transformed into a powerful political platform?
  • Is capitalism the best system?
  • What is the impact of the Neolithic revolution on people’s cognitive abilities?
  • Discuss the effects of daily family routines on a child’s development.
  • How to differentiate the humanities from the social sciences?
  • Explain the role of capitalism and communism in the study of humanities.
  • What are the global political and economic issues that affect the study of humanities?
  • Discuss the effects of irresponsible teenage behavior in society.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of early marriages.
  • Analyze the humanities curriculum in the U.S.A.
  • Write about the origin of humanities in Classical Greek.
  • What are the factors that inhibit the study of anthropological linguistics?
  • Explain the factors that modify the behavior of individuals and society.
  • Explain the impact of the Me Too movement on the girl-child.

Captivating Humanities Research Topics

  • What are the effects of Consumerism on sustainability?
  • Write about the fashion trends in society.
  • Research the social problems faced by people who are with disabilities.
  • Why does cultural appropriation always result in political contests?
  • Should poverty be treated as a social issue?
  • What are the benefits of countercultures in society?
  • How to prevent the fight for resources in families using the conflict theory?
  • What is the role of the bible in the development of US democracy?
  • Explain the major differences between interstate conflicts and wars.
  • Using the critical race theory analyze the Black Lives Matter activist movement.
  • Analyze the impact of different class systems on associations.
  • What are the various clashes between different social classes in the world?
  • Discuss the effect of various social movements in advocating for change.
  • What is the ultimate cause of criminal organizations in different societies?
  • Explain the effect of technology on preserving historical facts.
  • Explore the reaction of people towards social policies.
  • Discuss the differences between sects and cults.
  • What is the impact of the separation of humanities from the realm of the divine?
  • Discuss the role of critical thinking and effective communication in humanities.
  • What is the role of early Middle Ages Church Fathers in humanities?

Humanities Research Paper Topics

Humanities Research Topics in Philosophy

  • Discuss election ethics.
  • What are the main causes of war?
  • Prepare a case study of Europe in the 20th century based on the application of socialism.
  • Discuss the inference of learning philosophy for the growth of a society.
  • Discuss the implications of scientific realism on judgment by scientists.
  • How to eradicate corruption in society?
  • Explore mind philosophy and problems with dualism.
  • Discuss the main challenges involved in regulating the environment using laws.
  • Are morals relative to society or culture?
  • Using Aristotle’s perspectives define a perfect government.

Humanities and Arts Research Paper Topics

  • How does art education make people think differently?
  • Discuss the effect of music on modern culture and society.
  • Explain the impact of the Cultural Revolution on Chinese art.
  • Compare the themes in modern and traditional Caribbean music.
  • What is water puppetry in Vietnamese tradition?
  • Analyze the Mayan art and society.
  • Explain the music and political propaganda in the 20th century.
  • Compare the role of liberal arts education in the 20th and 21st centuries.
  • What is the use of totem masks in Papua New Guinea art?
  • Discuss the causes of the decline of art in medieval Europe.
  • Explain how Japanese art influenced that country’s clothing.
  • How the modern art is related to American suffering?
  • What is the effect of the printing press on the wide-scale spread of art?
  • What is the influence of ancient art on current artistic trends?
  • Describe the ancient Greek and Roman motifs in modern architectural works.
  • Discuss the effects of social media on digital art and the spread of ideas.
  • Explain the K-pop music style and subculture.
  • Explain the impact of mythology on the sculptures of Ancient Greece.
  • Depict war in 20th-century art.
  • Should advertisements be seen as a form of modern art?

Medical Humanities Research Topics

  • Can exercise ruin a person’s health?
  • Should a doctor be allowed to offer medical help against the desires of the guardian?
  • Discuss the impact of various medical and technological advances.
  • Explain how to deal with end-of-life issues in medicine.
  • How are medical addictions portrayed in literature?
  • Where the people with mental issues should be treated- in or outside their communities?
  • Explain the history of abortion throughout the 20th century.
  • What is the relationship between medicine and humanities?
  • Examine the practice of medicine across different cultures.
  • Is it ethical to use animals for testing drugs?
  • Discuss the ethics of medical advances.
  • Explain the medical practices in the field of battle.
  • Discuss the criminal charges for medical malpractice throughout the 21st century.
  • How do humanities affect the use of alternative medicines?
  • Discuss the religious impact on the medical community.

Digital Humanities Research Paper Topics

  • Why do social media make people feel lonely as opposed to connecting them?
  • How to incorporate digital technologies in archiving archaeological data?
  • Discuss the history of computing in the humanities.
  • Explain the effect of Modern devices and technology on people’s relationships.
  • Evaluate the nature and extent of the digital revolution.
  • What are the effects of video games on violence in society?
  • Have a closer look at humanities studies and the age of information technology.
  • Discuss the history of the printing press and its role in spreading ideas.
  • How do modern gadgets affect people’s mental health?
  • Should we adopt a scientific approach to the problem of alcoholism?
  • Does digital technology offer a better life?
  • Explore the potential of digital academic data.
  • Discuss the future of digital communication.
  • Explain how data visualization tools are changing people’s opinions.
  • Discuss the change in people’s jobs because of technological developments.

Humanities Research Topics on Religion

  • Discuss the conflict between religion and social order.
  • Compare the two most ancient religions in society.
  • What is the role of religion in contemporary society?
  • Explain the concept of reincarnation in different religions.
  • What is the major reason for the emergence of new religions?
  • What is the importance of the church in the well-being of society?
  • Compare funeral rituals in two religions of your choice.
  • Explain the difference between new and older religious movements.
  • Discuss the positive changes that can be achieved through religious practices.
  • Analyze the concept of Goddess and God in religion.
  • Explain the similarities between religions around the world.
  • What is the effect of sacrificial traditions in ancient religions on today’s society?
  • Discuss female clergy in religions.
  • What is the relationship between religion and science?
  • Explain the role of religion and mythology in the study of humanities.

Amazing Humanities Research Ideas

  • What are the effects of cultural assimilation?
  • Explain why the topic of abortion is a live wire in most societies.
  • What is the role of poverty in facilitating violence and civil unrest?
  • Why has online dating twisted the necessity of marriage?
  • Why is pop music gaining acceptance among the general population?
  • Is cultural segmentation a good thing?
  • Prepare a case study of mass media and fear during terrorist attacks.
  • How to handle the institutional crisis?
  • Why social theories are significant in the field of humanities?
  • What is the role of gender in determining leadership positions in society?
  • Explain the social issues that affect students in colleges and universities.
  • Analyze the effects of the great migration.
  • Why are primarily teenagers and youths resistant to their parents?
  • Explain the consequences of intersectionality and discrimination in any society.
  • Compare pop music and classical music

Read more: Great Human Rights Topics For Writing Academic Papers

Outstanding Humanities Research Topics

  • Write about Western humanities in the 21 st
  • Discuss symbolism in television sci-fi shows.
  • Explain the evolution of socialist movements throughout the world.
  • Write about humanities in the computer age and mass information.
  • How does online publishing affect humanities?
  • Describe the Bible’s representation of humanities and culture.
  • Write about community volunteer programs and their impact on youths.
  • Discuss the influence of science on humanities over the centuries.
  • Present the different definitions of freedom from around the world.
  • Why the tools for cultural analysis are essential for humanities?
  • Alternative dispute resolution mechanism for the settlement of environmental disputes in Nigeria: A Study of Ojodu Community, Lagos State
  • Describe the scarily lucrative business model of human trafficking
  • Technical Change And Productivity in the Manufacturing Industry in Imo State of Nigeria
  • How the military force of a nation can promote human security in conflict situations?
  • Analyze the governance and service delivery of the local government in the Kiruhura District of Uganda

Top-rated Humanities Dissertation Topics

  • What are the challenges faced by adult graduates with learning technologies?
  • Explain the impact of the internet on the emotional maturity of the students.
  • How do the qualities of family life affect parent-child relationships?
  • Assess the link between classroom quality and learning results in kindergarten.
  • Is creativity a type of fantasy?
  • What are the major causes of the Cold War?
  • Discuss the effect of adoption on parent-child relationships.
  • Investigate how racism affects a family unit.
  • What are the political and social implications of design?
  • Explain the future of humanity in an extraterrestrial world.
  • Examining the most effective tactics for wartime negotiations: Utilize three 20th-century example studies.
  • When should kids start receiving sex education?
  • Offspring of multinational marriages facing identification challenges.
  • Who is responsible for defending human rights on a global scale? A study of the International Criminal Court’s efficacy.
  • The major reason for misunderstandings in social media communication is a lack of face-to-face encounters.

Read more: Interesting Dissertation Topics to Consider for Academic Writing

Informative Humanities Research Ideas

  • Answering the challenging inquiries What is the main reason for the conflicts between Israel and Palestine? Can it or it be dealt with?
  • How Twitter has become a potent political tool.
  • Do gender and spirituality go together?
  • Should the United States be held accountable for the severe harm that its use of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused to Japan?
  • Should social media use be controlled to lessen the risk of addiction and other adverse effects?
  • Discuss the role played by NGOs and free-of-cost education service delivery organizations to develop underdeveloped nations
  • Participation motives and competitive orientation of football players in the Kenyan Women’s Premier League
  • Analyze the central idea of marriage in African Religio-Culture with reference to the Maasai of Kajiado County, Kenya
  • Critical analysis of women’s political participation: a case of Bomachoge constituency in Kenya (1963-2013)
  • Association between paternal illicit drug and alcohol consumption, complementary feeding and children’s nutrition status

Awesome Humanities Research Topics

  • A critical look at the different branches of anthropology
  • Explain the various changes in human societies through time.
  • How to propagate a self-sufficient system of human values in the society
  • What is the impact of breaking down humanities into other majors?
  • Discuss the notion of different societies concerning aging
  • Elaborate on the impact of the myths and misconceptions about coronavirus
  • Discuss the political aspects that relate to social interactions
  • Explore the field of Geography and its relationship to humanities
  • A systematic review of the issues affecting rational arguments
  • Evaluate the process that led to the unification of Germany

Out of the different ideas suggested in this blog, select any topic of your choice and draft a brilliant humanities research paper. In case, you need help with humanities research paper topic selection and writing, get in touch with us immediately.

humanities topics for research paper

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243 amazing humanities topics for research.

humanities topics

Humanities is an academic discipline that deals with studying the different aspects of culture and human society. This field has a rich historical background that distinguishes it from other empirical approaches to the natural sciences.

The different fields in humanities include archaeology, classics, philosophy, religion, linguistics, and languages. You will encounter methods such as hermeneutics and source criticism in the course of your study. It is crucial to understand that scholars in humanities significant to questions rather than answers.

What Are Humanities Topics?

These are topics that major in interpreting the known facts and look at them from a fresh perspective. Unlike sciences and other fields, there are no restrictive rules – you can create them in the form of art.

Humanities topics involve the study of human society and social relationships. Such titles are analytical and deal with the philosophical questions of what makes us human. Since they trace their origin from ancient Greece, these topics take a more historical turn.

When coming up with humanities topics, it is essential to consider the following:

  • They should be practical
  • They should impact society as a whole
  • Should relate the historical and current perspectives

Humanities students have the rare opportunity of understanding ancient and modern events that shape human life. You can learn all things from the romantic era’s poetry to the rise and fall of empires in the 15th century. It thus widens your understanding of the historical perspectives of almost every aspect of life.

In humanities topics, college students get strengthened in their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. But what are the best topics in humanities that you can present and score an A+?

Look at the topics below for inspiration.

Best-Rated Anthropology Humanities Paper Topics

  • How different aspects of the social sciences relate with humanities and human biology.
  • Reproducible and verifiable experiments in human anthropology
  • Local traditions that shape the structure and functioning of human life
  • Scientific methods to understand social phenomena in the society
  • Why do humanities use nuanced descriptions rather than general laws?
  • A critical look at the different branches of anthropology
  • Factors that inhibit the study of anthropological linguistics
  • Why cultural anthropology receives a cold shoulder among most undergraduate students
  • Describe a case study that properly illustrates sociocultural anthropology
  • Why is it difficult to provide a holistic account of humans and human nature?
  • Why do anthropologists only specialize in one sub-field?
  • Explain the importance of the biological, linguistic, historical, and cultural aspects of any problem.
  • Describe the impact of anthropology arising as a science in Western societies
  • Major industrial trends associated with anthropology research
  • Effectiveness of methodological drives in studying peoples in communities with more simple social organization
  • Why non-western cultures are least accepted in most countries?
  • The quest for holism in the study of humanities
  • How to use the biogenetic, archaeological, and linguistic data in humanities

Professional Topics For Humanities Classes

  • Factors affecting the proper record keeping of archaeological data
  • The role of architecture, biofacts, and Eco facts in human archaeology
  • Using culture history to reconstruct past lifeways in ancient culture
  • Explain the various changes in human societies through time.
  • Describe the origin of humanities in the Classical Greek
  • How the general education dating from the Sophists in the mid-5th century influenced humanities
  • The role of early Middle Ages Church Fathers in humanities
  • Describe the role of 15th-century Italian humanists to denote secular literary
  • How ancient Greek and Latin studies have helped advance research in humanities
  • The impact of the separation of humanities from the realm of the divine
  • Methods of the maturing physical sciences in the scholarly arena
  • Discuss the contemporary conceptions concerning the study of humanities
  • Conduct a complete analysis of the humanities curriculum in the U.S.A.
  • How to propagate a self-sufficient system of human values in the society
  • How to distinguish the humanities from the social sciences

High-Quality Topics For Humanities Research Papers

  • How different countries vary in the way of their social interactions
  • What is the impact of breaking down humanities into other majors?
  • Global political and economic issues affecting the study of humanities
  • Using sociology to draw a complete picture of how the world works
  • How to reinvent the best ideas from the past occurrences effectively
  • The role of critical thinking and effective communication in humanities
  • Which set of abilities should students have for humanities?
  • Discuss the factors that affect the behavior of individuals and society
  • Why are humanities papers on marriage among the most relevant nowadays?
  • Is it true that focusing on the family is vital for one’s self-development?
  • Discuss the notion of different societies concerning aging
  • Why is the world still struggling with the problem of inequality to date?
  • Factors affecting changes in social interactions among communities
  • The role of social media in shaping the perspectives of different people
  • Evaluate the factors affecting teenagers in the 21st century

Impressive Topics For Humanities Research Paper

  • Discuss the impact of various social movements in advocating for change
  • Why is child abuse still a pertinent issue in the 21st century?
  • The role of social backgrounds in contributing to conflicts at workplaces
  • What is the main challenge facing racial movements?
  • An analysis of the reaction of people towards social policies
  • Elaborate on the trends and impacts of irresponsible teenage behavior in the society
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of early marriages
  • Why should parents not restrict their children from accessing the internet?
  • Analyze the different class systems and their impact on associations
  • What is the primary cause of criminal organizations in different societies?
  • A case study of cliques among high school and college students
  • The risk of delaying early childhood education among children in the U.S.A.
  • Discuss the various clashes between different social classes in the world
  • What is the place of the marginalized in society?
  • Discuss the impact of the Me Too movement on the girl-child

Hot Humanities Research Topics

  • What are the leading causes of drinking among a majority of the population?
  • Discuss the various means of dealing with institutional crisis
  • The role of capitalism and communism in the study of humanities
  • What are the impacts of immigration into the U.S. from Mexico?
  • The role of gender in determining leadership positions in the society
  • Theoretical foundations of humanities in different institutions
  • Discuss the significant differences between sects and cults
  • Elaborate on the impact of the myths and misconceptions about coronavirus
  • The role of poverty in facilitating violence and civil unrest
  • Is cultural segmentation a good thing?
  • The effect of technology on preserving historical facts
  • Why social theories are essential in the field of humanities
  • Discuss the origin of the discrimination against African-Americans
  • An overview of the effects of cultural assimilation
  • Is it possible to eliminate healthcare disparities among the LGBT community?

Interesting Humanities Topics

  • Discuss the role of video games in advancing violence in societies
  • Why fashion is becoming a distraction for many in the society
  • Discuss why the topic of abortion is a live wire in most societies
  • A case study of mass media and fear during terrorism attacks
  • Discuss the social role of mass media in communities
  • Why has online dating distorted the necessity of marriages?
  • Discuss the evolution of lifestyles from the 15th century to date
  • The part of body images in appealing to emotions
  • Why are most college students victims of poor time management?
  • The effects of the social, cultural engagements in the development of societies
  • Discuss the political aspects that relate to social interactions
  • Why are primarily teenagers and youths defiant to their parents?
  • Why people from different nationalities differ from each other
  • Why can’t the millennial live without updates of any event?
  • Social issues affecting students in colleges and universities

Latest Humanities Project Ideas

  • Discuss the different branches of humanities concerned with creative audio-visual pursuits
  • Conduct an in-depth analysis of the human communication and behavior
  • Critically examine the role of the justice system in advancing equality
  • Current issues facing societies about the coronavirus prevention protocols
  • The part of statistical data relating to population
  • Explore the environmental foundations necessary for humanities
  • Look at the gender divide in society and how to address it
  • Discuss the cultural construct of the masculine and feminine identity
  • Explore the field of Geography and its relationship to humanities
  • How people interact with different physical features
  • What are the challenges when it comes to relations between nations?
  • Examine why language is essential for any society to thrive
  • The role of multi-cultural and regional dimensions to humanities
  • Why the study of beliefs, histories, values, and geographic backgrounds is necessary
  • A systematic review of the issues affecting rational arguments

Top-Tier Humanities Topics Ideas

  • Examine the role of religion and mythology in the study of humanities
  • Why is pop music gaining acceptance among the general population?
  • Investigate the relationship between society and social relationships
  • Explore how the politics and government of the United States has evolved over the ages
  • Study the implications of studying philosophy to the growth of a society
  • Dive into the impact of peer-reviewed humanities papers
  • The role of diversity in making the world a better place
  • The importance of intersectionality and discrimination in any society
  • Why differences can also advance peace and harmony
  • Discuss the social relations between Islam and Christians
  • Evaluate the process that led to the unification of Germany
  • How did the Vietnam War affect the relationships of different countries?
  • Outline the impacts of the great migration
  • Impact of the Women’s Suffrage movements in championing for female rights
  • How did the Ottoman Empire contribute to socialization?

World-Class Topics in Humanities

  • Discuss the conflict between religion and social order
  • What is the best disciplinary action for employees’ misconduct outside work
  • The role of sales tax on internet purchases
  • Why it is essential to understand the history of Europe in understanding humanities
  • Why are human beings anatomically similar?
  • The part of Greek and Latin texts and language in the study of humanities
  • Why are the classical-era scholars in important in humanities?
  • Discuss the role of humanities in institutions of higher learning
  • Why do humanities and liberal studies make up the bulk of specialization for college students
  • Give a substantive analysis of the renaissance-era humanists
  • The place of a balanced curriculum in fostering critical humanist skills
  • How humanities help students achieve analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Why do most universities require multiple humanities courses?
  • Discuss the events that led to the French revolution
  • The implications of William Shakespeare’s plays

Medical Humanities Research Topics

  • Discuss the ethical and humanistic dimensions of medicine
  • Analyze the impact of various medical and technological advances
  • The growing interest of researchers in the field of neuro-ethics
  • Discuss the relationship between medicine and humanities
  • How has the history of medicine varied with that of the humanities sector?
  • Critical issues of healthcare access and public health policy
  • What are the factors facing doctor-patient relationships?
  • Discuss how to deal with end-of-life issues in medicine
  • How does the media impact the study and progress of medicine?
  • Analyze the relationship between medicine and society
  • Who are the most significant scholars in medical anthropology?
  • A critical analysis of empathy and experience of illness
  • Choices available for doctors in the neonatal intensive care unit
  • How the issues of limited resources impact access to medical care
  • Analyze the ethics of medical advances

Good Research Topics For Humanities

  • Informed consent issues for the matter of terminal diseases
  • Why is humanities a rich interdisciplinary concentration?
  • The vital importance of diversity in any society
  • The state of empathy and sympathy during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Explore the different aspects of poetry
  • Is it practical for anyone to work late in the night?
  • How modern literature writers find meaning and inspiration in the works
  • Ethical issues involved in the dialysis of the obese, homeless, and diabetic
  • Why motivational interviewing was preferred for patients with diabetes?
  • Discuss the effects of stigma among leaders
  • The role of technology in reshaping the future of social interactions
  • An innovative approach on the psychological aspects students
  • Discuss the essentials of a practical counseling session
  • Why do there exist disparities between the likeness of children to their parents
  • The effects of becoming a counseling psychologist

Unique Topics For Humanities Research Paper

  • Personal and professional reflections on the 9/11
  • How parents can handle children with disabilities
  • The impact of social media on the freedom of speech: A case of Facebook
  • The role of the international criminal court in maintains world law and order.
  • Analyze the economic context of a novel
  • Emergent property and consciousness in the study of philosophy
  • Discuss the effectiveness of the theories of punishment
  • Are we likely to experience a third and fourth wave of feminism?
  • What are the factors that are likely to cause philosophical anarchism?
  • Discuss the growth and spread of Pentecostalism in Latin America
  • Evaluate the impact of the Great Awakenings in the U.S. history
  • Conduct an overview of the Shia minorities in the Middle East
  • What are the social and cultural implications of the Religious Freedom Act?
  • Do atheists honestly believe that there is no God?
  • How to foster relationships among the Catholics and Evangelicals

College Humanities Essay Topics

  • The necessity of teaching children the gender issues
  • What is the origin of the discussions for and against gay marriages?
  • Is it correct to say that everyone is a stereotype by default?
  • An overview of the international marriages and globalism
  • The impact of spending more time on social networking sites
  • The role of social norms and cultures in a given society
  • Why do most people experience challenges shifting from one culture to another?
  • Discuss the relationship between a class and a student’s performance
  • Are unconventional families essential for the growth and development of any child?
  • Why do most students prefer foreign education over any other?
  • Discuss the concept of the right to privacy
  • Why do some studies need to engage in patriotism students?
  • The role of economic prosperity in influencing patriotism
  • Discuss the relationship between social media and addiction
  • A case study of WhatsApp as the best social media group in the U.S.A.

Topics in Digital Humanities

  • Discuss the various tools and methods for nineteenth-century American literature
  • Understanding how the media is involved in human interactions
  • Why digital communications technologies are the new norm
  • Analyze the nature and extent of the digital revolution
  • The history of computing in the humanities
  • A humanistic critique of the computational methods
  • Why most practitioners are opting for digital communication
  • The role of the computer as a continual tool of innovation
  • The process of using and building digital projects
  • Incorporating digital technologies in archiving archaeological data
  • Discuss the connection between traditional and digital textual scholarship
  • Large-scale digital literary analysis
  • Explore the potential of the digital academic data
  • The broader context of the digital humanities
  • How to computationally research and teach in humanities

Top Humanities Research Project Topics

  • Analysis of the macroscopic trends in cultural change
  • A textual analysis of digital archives
  • Why is there a lack of focus in pedagogy?
  • Issues of access to information in the society
  • Impact of online publishing in humanities
  • Cultural analytic tools necessary for humanities
  • The role of doctors in assisted suicide
  • What should administrators do to campus violence perpetrators?
  • The ethical downside of capital punishment
  • Who should determine the legal drinking age?
  • Why is modesty too hard to achieve nowadays?
  • The life of prisons and prisoners
  • Why doping in sports is still prevalent
  • Discuss the limitations of college admission policies
  • The role of education and funding

Humanities And Arts Research Topics

  • Home-schooling
  • Literacy levels in America
  • The role of prayer in schools
  • Programming and advertising
  • The portrayal of women by media
  • Physical attention techniques
  • Affirmative action programs in the U.S.A.
  • What is the way forward on gambling?
  • Race relations
  • Learning disabilities
  • Family values
  • Intelligence tests
  • Distant learning
  • White-collar jobs
  • Morals and values

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233 Great Humanities Topics For 2023

humanities topics

Picking a great paper topic is the first step you need to put together a great assignment. In humanities classes, this is very important because you need to consider topics that will explore new areas in the subject but also be topics that can be thoroughly researched given the limitations of an assignment. If you ask, “what are humanities topics I can use to write a great research paper?” you can refer to the list of free humanities paper topics below:

Humanities and Arts Research Topics

These humanities research paper topics are great for students interested in art history and other related fields that take a close look at the impact art has had on society:

  • Impact of Middle Eastern art on Western civilization.
  • American art influences democracy.
  • The Romantic period and modern art techniques.
  • Depictions of war in 20 th -century art.
  • Defining the European distress in modern art forms.
  • Racist depictions in early global maps and the impact on societies.
  • The ways that medicine has impacted how we view cultural expression.
  • Human flourishing and different perspectives in modern art.
  • Religious influence in 19 th -century European art.
  • The African American experience during the Harlem Renaissance.
  • The influence of music on modern culture and society.
  • Political propaganda in 20 th century American and European art.
  • The Beat Generation and its influence on modern art.
  • Ancient art and its influence on current artistic trends.
  • Mayan and Aztec artistic influence on current Latino cultures.
  • The Reformation Period and its impact on the art of the 20 th century.
  • Social media’s impact on digital art and the spread of ideas.
  • The impact of the printing press on the widescale spread of art.
  • The impact that modern warfare has had on artistic expression.
  • The stolen art of WWII and how it relates to cultures.
  • Early cave paintings and the understanding of human culture.
  • Racism and negative ethnic depictions in 20 th -century art.
  • Explain the ways Japanese art influenced the country’s clothing.
  • Popular music is an artistic form of expression among youth.
  • The censorship of specific artforms and the impact on culture.
  • The most famous architectural works from around the world.
  • How architecture was influenced by foreign cultures.
  • Ancient Greek and Roman motifs in modern architectural works.
  • The influence of 20 th -century art on 21 st -century culture.
  • How music influences youth culture in the 21 st century.

Topics in Digital Humanities

This is a relatively new field that offers a lot of opportunities for exploration. Just be sure you consider your topic carefully, as you may have some trouble finding information in your research:

  • Social media’s impact on third world countries.
  • The impact social media has had on international relations.
  • The ways digital humanities is changing the educators teach children.
  • Explain how digital access to information affects culture.
  • Metadata and scholarship processing in the 21 st century.
  • Language processing with the use of digital tools.
  • Linguistics and the role digital humanities has on the future.
  • The study of migration using technology.
  • Digital tools and their role in mapping underground structures.
  • Digital communication creates a bigger gap between generations.
  • The study of ancient texts through digital technologies.
  • Digital humanities and the mapping of our ancestral histories.
  • Linked open data and the challenges it faces in gathering data.
  • The ways digital archiving has helped people embrace ancestral cultures.
  • Researching art using digital technologies.
  • The impact digital humanities will have on higher education.
  • The media’s use of digital communication can affect the way we identify culturally.
  • Digital humanities in the developing world.
  • Machine learning and its impact on the discipline of humanities.
  • Implementing digital tools and resources into education.
  • Forensic study in the search for hidden meaning in texts.
  • Encoding U.S. documents to improve the legal process.
  • Digital communication and how we view military conflicts.
  • Access to digital information helps people learn more efficiently.
  • Removing discrepancies in translations of ancient works.
  • Recognizing patterns in historical literature.
  • Digital archives and analysis of the written word.
  • The ways data visualization tools are changing people’s opinions.
  • Digital humanities change the way we view our cultural past.
  • The ways digital humanities have helped us visually recreate ancient cities.

Medical Humanities Research Topics

These ideas are great to write about because many discussions are occurring on the internet. Writing about medical issues is a great way to get the reader’s attention. Here are some great topics to consider for a humanities research paper:

  • Humanities studies impact doctor-assisted suicide cases.
  • The history of abortion throughout the 20 th century.
  • Cultural influences and prenatal genetic testing in developed countries.
  • The evolution of medical costs in the United States.
  • The ways that medical theories have been represented in art.
  • Informing families of patients’ illnesses throughout literature.
  • Wearing a mask after Covid-19 and its effects on culture.
  • Social distancing and the connections made through social media.
  • Creating a culture of social distancing to avoid future pandemics.
  • Giving doctors the right to work extra hours without pay.
  • How literature influences the use of marijuana for medical regions.
  • Robotics replacing the roles of nurses and doctors in the medical field.
  • Medical depictions in art versus religious depictions in art.
  • How are medical addictions portrayed in literature?
  • The practice of medicine across different cultures.
  • Medical ethics is involved in deciding who lives and dies.
  • Medical practices in the field of battle.
  • Medical care for people from low-income areas.
  • The impact art has had on growing the medical community.
  • Medical records and the development of treatments.
  • How humanities influence the use of alternative medicines.
  • How religion impacts the way patients agree to treatments.
  • Criminal charges for medical malpractice throughout the 21 st century.
  • Representation of the medical profession through the 20 th century.
  • The rise of confidentiality agreements in the medical field.
  • Questions and concerns regarding abortion in the modern age.
  • The decision to vaccinate or not for the safety of the greater population.
  • Religious impact on the medical community.
  • The rights of patients when religion prevents certain procedures.
  • Medical depictions in the art are against religious principles.

Good Research Topics for Humanities

If you don’t have a lot of time to conduct in-depth research, you may want to write about any of these topics in humanities. You will have no trouble finding information on the web, just be sure you use trustworthy sources when making your argument:

  • The impact television has had on modern culture.
  • Political commentary in modern music.
  • The role humanities will play on future generations.
  • The ways humans flourish through different shared perspectives.
  • The need to promote the study of humanities in schools.
  • The application of philosophy in western democracy.
  • Artistic influence during the times of war.
  • The ways the Depression of the 1930s influenced culture.
  • Broadening the mind through international travel.
  • Literature and the increasing rate of illiteracy in adults.
  • The impact music has on political propaganda.
  • Fair treatment of immigrants in the U.S.
  • Western humanities in the 21 st century.
  • The ways culture is shaped by modern photography.
  • Eastern philosophy and its influence on western cultures.
  • Cults and modern religious movements in American society.
  • Eastern religion and its influence on western beliefs.
  • The importance of studying philosophy in humanities.
  • International trade routes and the spread of cultures.
  • The impact of social media in modern culture.
  • Social media and the dissemination of international news.
  • The impact that media has on modern culture.
  • The Ottoman Empire and its role in shaping the Middle East.
  • The impact the 20 th migration movement had on international policy.
  • The lost Native-American languages and the country’s culture.
  • The influence that African music has had on American culture.
  • The impact Joe Hill had on the country’s early labor struggles.
  • The influence of the Beat Generation on modern culture.
  • The unification of Germany and its impact on international policy.
  • Gender expectations in American modern fiction.

Humanities Project Ideas for High School

When writing any assignment, you always want to make sure you choose a good topic. These humanities topics ideas are great for students that are still learning skills in researching and writing. Students should have no trouble finding information:

  • Sacrificial traditions in ancient religions and their impact on today’s society.
  • The impact the printing press had on spreading religion.
  • Theatre of the absurd and its impact on modern culture.
  • The protection of traditions when they are considered unethical.
  • Questions that arise from space exploration efforts.
  • The impact the IRA has had on international relations.
  • Interpreting Sigmund Freud’s theories in the 21 st century.
  • Cultural differences between Latin American countries.
  • The Chinese Communist Revolution and its influence on global culture.
  • Fairy tales and the influence they have had on modern cinema.
  • Symbolism in television sci-fi shows.
  • How the gothic genre has captured new readers.
  • The history of nationalism in the United States vs. European countries.
  • Speakeasies in the 1920s and the role they had in shaping culture.
  • The Sit-down strike of the mid-1930s and its impact on the 21 st century.
  • The impact graphic novels have had on literacy.
  • The United States’ Woman’s Suffrage Movement and its influence around the world.
  • The war protests of the 1960s and 1970s and modern American politics.
  • How African culture has influenced modern American culture.
  • The decisions that are made by public policy committees.
  • The Dust Bowl and how the U.S. was shaped into different regions.
  • How eco poetry has changed our understanding of the environment.
  • Folklore’s influence on how we interact with others.
  • How science fiction has entered the mainstream culture around the world.
  • Community volunteer programs and their impact on youth.
  • How oral history has influenced modern culture.
  • The impact television has had on America’s youth.
  • Explain the history of human violence in the U.S.
  • The human family unit and its role in racism.
  • Human interaction over social media outlets.

Humanities Essay Topics for College

The humanities research topics listed below don’t require a lot of in-depth academic research and can be dealt with by doing some easy background research on the web and then some research at the library:

  • Animal rights and their impact on American culture.
  • The effect that Third Wave Feminism has had on Europe.
  • The influence the Islamic religion has had on American culture.
  • The meaning of moral philosophy in the United States.
  • Similarities between religions around the world.
  • Political obligation at the federal level versus the state level.
  • How humans think about the future of the world.
  • The definition of the human condition is described in the Bible.
  • Events that led to the study of humanity at a scholarly level.
  • The negative effects of the temperance movement in the U.S.
  • The quest for happiness in modern society.
  • The ways theology contradicts our knowledge of medicine.
  • The industrial revolution’s impact on human identity.
  • The impact modern photography has on European and American culture.
  • Color and the impact it has had on the human experience.
  • Different definitions of freedom from around the world.
  • The major religious ideologies in humans and their impact on societies.
  • The role gender definitions play in the educational experience.
  • Development of new languages in today’s society.
  • Diverse human behaviors and cultural characteristics.
  • The Bible’s representation of humanities and cultures.
  • Humans and the root of modern society.
  • Possessions humans have learned to live without.
  • Global warming and its impact on different cultures around the world.
  • The evolution of violence among humans.
  • The reason why humans will become extinct.
  • The ways subcultures have developed over the decades.
  • Science and its influence on humanities over the centuries.
  • The way Roman and Greek civilizations educated themselves.
  • The evolution of social interactions among humans.
  • The way Western Civilizations developed over the centuries.
  • The negative impact humans have on the earth’s environment.
  • Music and its impact on human psychology.
  • The ways our environmental surroundings affect our cultures.
  • Present a detailed overview and analysis of global humanities.
  • The characteristics that separate humans from all other animals.
  • The importance of mistakes to improve a person’s development.
  • The impact war has on children in devastated areas.
  • How humans became the dominant species on earth.
  • The reasons humans have decided to procreate less.

Topics for Humanities Research Paper

Many young students find this area of study interesting. So, we have gathered several humanities research project topics that will inspire them to explore the field further without being too overwhelming:

  • The ways different world cultures perceive and handle death.
  • The role of holidays in bringing people together and strengthening the family unit.
  • Relationships with domesticated pets and inclusion into family life.
  • The cultural meaning behind family names and how they bring people together.
  • The role a nation’s economy has had on human development.
  • The evolution of socialist movements throughout the world.
  • The tension between religion and science throughout the centuries.
  • The ways humanity will change in the next century because of our current state.
  • An exploration of the way humanity was represented in the art of the Renaissance.
  • The Enlightenment Period and its impact on human development.
  • The Harlem Renaissance and its influence on African American culture.
  • Humanities in the computer age and mass information.
  • Human identity and the role of the Industrial Revolution in our development.
  • The relationship between the environment and human beings.
  • The impact WWI and WWII had on our understanding of humanity.
  • Holidays and the different ways we celebrate them.
  • Cultural diets from around the world and our relationship with food.
  • The ways different cultures define democratic freedom.
  • Education in liberal arts and its current role in education.
  • The course of American politics over the last century.

Interesting Humanities Topics for Grad School

As students become more familiar with this type of assignment and as they advance to higher academic levels, they will need to choose a topic that meets or surpass the standards of their instructors’ expectations. Here is a list targeted toward graduate-level students:

  • The impact that genocides have had on groups of people.
  • Comic books and graphic novels and their influence on America’s youth.
  • Super-hero movies in the 21 st century and how they are affecting culture.
  • The influence the media has on our understanding of society.
  • The most fascinating aspects of European and American culture.
  • Different cultures and our beliefs about the human soul.
  • The ways Asian literature has entered American culture.
  • Slavery across the centuries and the ways we still discriminate.
  • Early civilizations and the evolution of human societies.
  • Human interactions with nature and wild species.
  • The political divide is caused by different parties and ideologies.
  • World Travel and its ability to broaden our thinking of other cultures.
  • The influence villains in movies have on human behavior.
  • The ways people mistreat natural environments.
  • Violence in television and the ways it affects young adults.
  • The impact racism has had in American society.
  • The ways society is influenced by the media.
  • Diversity and inclusion among different ethnic groups.
  • Professional sports and their ability to bring people together.
  • Cultural identification and the way it affects the way we look at history.
  • The definition of social Darwinism in modern society.
  • The portrayal of women in 20 th -century European literature.

If you need more humanities research papers, we can put you in contact with one of our academic experts trained in the subject. He or she can provide you with a custom list you can apply to any kind of assignment. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Send us an email or call us by phone, we are always glad to help.

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humanities topics for research paper

128 Unique Humanities Topics For Your Research Papers

humanities topics

Many students struggle to find humanities topics worth researching. That’s because most students think the humanities are only about ancient cultures and dead languages. However, social science and humanities explore how humans document and process different experiences. These study fields enable learners to understand intellectual and personal scales, such as culture, heritage, and identities. When studying humanities, students explore past self-exploration and philosophy to political views, economic issues, culture, and religion.

What Are Humanities?

The humanities are educational disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, “humanities” referred to the studio humanitatis, a Medieval Latin phrase meaning “liberal arts or studies.” In the medieval curriculum, the seven liberal arts were grammar, rhetoric, and logic (the trivium); and arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music (the quadrivium). Academicians chose these subjects because they considered them essential for a free person—a citizen—to know so that they can actively participate in civic life, voting, holding office, serving on juries, and so forth.

Today’s humanities definition includes all those original seven subjects plus literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, jurisprudence, comparative religion, and ethics. Topics in humanities help us understand aspects of our culture and others, how people lived in the past, what they believed, how they worked and played, what kinds of governments and social structures humans developed, and the type of art and technology they created. In other words: How did we get to be where we are today?

How To Improve A Bad Paper

Perhaps, you’ve chosen a topic and written an essay. Unfortunately, you might not like your paper because you feel it doesn’t meet your educator’s quality standards. In that case, follow these tips to improve it.

  • Make your description, anecdotal details, and sensory and imagery details more specific.
  • Make your paper more concise to convey ideas with few words
  • Use transition phrases or words
  • Make your thoughts understandable and clear to the reader
  • Check the organization to ensure ideas flow logically
  • Proofread and edit your paper.

Writing a research paper for a high grade is not an easy task. It’s better to hire a research paper service and get your papers complete on time. 

Interesting Humanities Topics

Do you love writing about exciting topics? If so, here’s a list of interesting ideas to explore in your humanity paper.

  • Investigating changes in gender roles in modern society
  • Exploring the differences between wars and interstate conflicts
  • Texas case study- How poverty affects tertiary education
  • Examining the illegal immigrants’ implications on host countries in Europe
  • How conflict theory can help prevent the fight for family resources
  • Is poverty a social issue?
  • Detailed analysis of the problems faced by people living with disabilities
  • Contemporary music and political commentary
  • The bible’s role in the US democracy’s development
  • Exploring labour struggles in Europe and their effects on global and local politics in the 19th century
  • Investigating the essence of studying humanities
  • Exploring the enlightenment age- What does it mean?
  • Examining the Appalachian regional identity
  • The race problem in the US- Exploring its causes
  • Analyzing the Black Lives Matter movement and its role in the race theory
  • How consumerism affects sustainability
  • A closer look at the counterculture’s benefits in society
  • A critical view of the differences between cults and sects
  • Analysing gender studies- What are the emerging issues?
  • Cultural appropriation- Investigating why it causes a political contest
  • Fashion trends in modern society- Examining their connection with cultures
  • Should governments legitimize prostitution?
  • The influence of oral history on modern culture
  • How graphic novels affect literacy
  • Discuss the pros and cons of studying humanities
  • How bullying is challenging to prevent in schools
  • Investigating the environmental foundations for humanities
  • Explore cultural stereotypes and how superstitions shape them
  • Compare animal and human sacrifice in religion
  • Analyzing human behaviour and communication

These are exciting topics to consider in this academic field. Nevertheless, take sufficient time researching your preferred title to write a winning paper. 

Top Humanities Research Paper Topics

Maybe, you want to write an academic paper about a topic in humanities. In that case, consider the following ideas for your research paper.

  • Capitalism- Is it the best system?
  • How poverty affects rural communities
  • Evaluating the effects of daily routines on kids’ development within family setups
  • The development of Twitter into a robust political platform
  • How irresponsible teen behaviour affects the society
  • Communism and capitalism’s role in humanities studies
  • Early marriages- What are their pros and cons?
  • Social sciences and humanities- How do they differ?
  • Understanding the economic and political issues impacting humanities studies
  • How does an individual’s behaviour affect society
  • How the Me Too movement affects the girl-child
  • Analyzing the United States’ humanities curriculum
  • Factors inhibiting anthropological linguistics’ study
  • How Chinese culture and Italian fashion connect
  • How the Neolithic revolution affects humans’ cognitive abilities
  • Ethical issues relating to media advertising
  • Investigate the relationship between the law-making process and bureaucracy
  • How dual-nationality affects political views
  • Investigate the US executive power
  • Describe humanities origin in Classical Greek

These are some of the research topics for humanities research papers. As the name suggests, extensive research is necessary to draft a quality paper. Our expert writers can help you to write a custom research paper cheap and fast. 

Good Humanities Paper Topics

High school, university, and college students need good topics to impress teachers and earn top grades in their classes. Here are such ideas.

  • How the law-making process relates to bureaucracy
  • Why public choice awareness is vital
  • A historical analysis of the Indian migrant workers
  • How the Neolithic revolution affects cognitive abilities
  • Should America implement more restrictive laws about gun ownership?
  • Ethical issues surrounding media advertising
  • Why youth culture is complex for older generations to understand
  • LGBT people and straight people’s rights- How do they compare?
  • The absence of face-to-face interactions- Does it cause misunderstanding in communications on social media?
  • Why democracy fails- Iraq case study
  • What causes the Israel-Palestinian wars?
  • Spirituality and gender- Is there a connection?
  • Is the world hauling toward a Third World War?
  • Discuss relevant anthropology issues
  • Hinduism- Does it affect Indian socio-political development?
  • Factors affecting the 21st-century teenagers
  • Social media’s role in shaping people’s perspectives
  • Factors affecting social interactions and their changes among communities
  • Why the world struggles with the inequality problem to date
  • Discuss the ageing notion among different societies

Pick a title in this category and develop it via research. Nevertheless, ensure it enables you to answer the question your educator poses.

Humanities Project Ideas

Did the educator ask you to pick a topic for your humanities project? If so, here are humanities topics for research projects to consider.

  • The role of funding in education
  • What limits collision admission policies?
  • Is doping prevalent in sports?- Explain why
  • Investigating prisoners’ life and prisons
  • Macroscopic trends- Analysis of cultural change
  • Digital archives- A textual analysis
  • Why pedagogy lacks a focus
  • Information access issues in society
  • How online publishing affects humanities
  • Tools for cultural analysis- Why they are vital for humanities
  • Doctors’ role in assisted suicide
  • Violence perpetrators and administrators’ role in campus
  • Capital punishment and its ethical downside
  • Legal drinking age- Who should determine it?
  • Why achieving modesty is difficult nowadays.
  • Crisis- When international intervention is justified
  • African socialism- How it compares between the 1950 and 1980s
  • Lessons learned from Europe and US immigrant crisis
  • Comparing and contrasting foreign policies in the UK and China
  • Should governments ban alcohol and beer advertisements?

Please choose a topic from this list and develop it via extensive research. Ensure that your paper has relevant information to impress the educator.

Easy Humanities Topics Ideas

Maybe you’re searching for an easy idea to explore in your paper. In that case, consider these ideas for your essay.

  • Investigating age and changes in body image
  • How social environment prompts people to relocate to cities
  • Deviance development among urban youths
  • Does reading more books make people less or more social?
  • Illegal immigrants- Should governments make them legal citizens?
  • How does gender-based violence affect kids’ personalities
  • Sociological perspectives of child development and interracial adoption
  • Parental control limits on child’s personality
  • Investigate the adverse effects of teenage pregnancies
  • Analyze war negotiations strategies- Provide 20th-century case studies

These are relatively easy topics to consider for academic papers. Nevertheless, they still require some research.

Arts and Humanities Research Topics

Are you interested in humanities and arts research topics? If so, this list has some ideas worth exploring.

  • Contemporary art and the feminist movement
  • Art education- Why it helps learners think differently
  • Advertisements- Should the audiences view them as modern art?
  • Mythology’s impact on Ancient Greece’s sculptures
  • Government accountability and democracy in the US
  • How did the cultural revolution affect the Chinese art
  • The second migration- How it affects Harlem Renaissance’s art
  • Sharing pieces of art and music online- Is it a legal practice?

Consider these titles if you want to write about art and humanities. However, prepare to spend sufficient time researching your topic before writing.

Medical Humanities Topics

Do you want to explore medical humanities in your research? If so, here are some interesting titles to consider for your essay and help you take the first step toward a good research paper done for you.

  • Does global warming cause tropical diseases?
  • Child vaccination- Should the government make it mandatory?
  • How exercising can affect a person’s life negatively
  • Is using animals in drug tests a good idea?
  • Should governments limit drug tests on humans?
  • Is the world ready for another pandemic?
  • How the world managed the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Medical research- The threats and their mitigation
  • Should hospitals test individuals with mental issues in or outside their immediate communities?
  • Doctors should provide medical assistance against the guardian’s wishes
  • Parents should regulate social media use to prevent or reduce the addiction impacts
  • How the COVID-19 pandemic prompted society to rethink global healthcare coordination

These are good humanities research topics that touch on the medical field. Nevertheless, they also require some research to write high-quality papers.

Topics in Digital Humanities

Digital humanities are also worth exploring in academic papers. Here are exciting titles to consider in this category.

  • Printing press history and its role in information dissemination
  • Art presentation in America during the digital age
  • The information technology age and humanities studies
  • How video games contribute to violence in modern society
  • Is digital technology a bane, or does it provide an improved life?
  • The influence of modern gadgets on individuals’ mental health
  • Social media and its impact on people’s lives
  • Technology and modern devices- How they affect relationships

After extensive research, these are some of the best topics worth writing humanities papers about in college. However, every student should choose a title according to guidelines from their teacher or professor.

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100+ Captivating Humanities Research Topics and Ideas

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Table of Contents

Humanities research is carried out to understand various cultures, take a close look at human behavior, and strive for the advancement of society. Humanities generally is a broad field representative of an academic discipline focused on various aspects of human society and culture, such as philosophy, literature, art, history, languages, and religion. So, it might be pretty hard to choose one perfect topic to successfully conduct humanities research. However, this can be easily solved. Below is the list of topics and ideas for the latest humanities research that we have picked for this blog. We have also included specific tactics to find a good topic pertaining to humanities research.

If you are struggling to spot appropriate humanities research topics for your essay, take a look at this blog. Here, you will get exclusive ideas.

How to Choose a Topic for a Humanities Research Paper?

The selection of specific topics in any humanities research needs to strike a balance between interest, relevance, and scope. You can narrow down the choices that best fit your needs by following the steps below:

  • Identify Your Interest: Start with what interests you. If there is something you are really interested in regarding some period in history, a literary genre, or a philosophical debate, you will stay engaged in your research.
  • Literature Review: Conduct a preliminary review of the literature to see what research has already been conducted on your topic of interest. As you review, be on the lookout for gaps in research that you can fill with your work.
  • Identify and Focus: Broad topics now must turn into specific issues or questions. Instead of researching “Renaissance Art ,” focus on “The Influence of Renaissance Art on Modern Architecture .”
  • Consider Scope and Resources: Make sure the topic is such that it can be kept within your resources: in particular, you should take account of such things as your available time, access to primary sources, and literature.
  • Consult Advisors: Talk about ideas with professors or mentors who will give you important feedback on how to adapt your topic to the project requested and lead you to materials you may not have thought about.
  • Instead of going with “The Role of Women in Literature ,” it’s better to go with “The Representation of Female Protagonists in 19th Century British Novels”
  • Instead of “Cultural Impacts of Colonization ,” narrow this down to “The Influence of Spanish Colonization on Indigenous Languages in South America”

Check this Humanities Research Paper Topics Examples

View Sample

Issues You Can Encounter by Selecting Narrow and Broad Topics

Narrow Topics:

Inadequate Resources : If your topic is too narrow, you might find it hard to collect enough primary and secondary sources for your study.

Lack of Interest: An excessively narrow topic might not intrigue a large audience or might not even be interesting enough for your peers and professors.

Difficulty in Analysis: You will find it difficult to analyze and reach meaningful conclusions from a very narrow scope.

Examples of Narrow Topics:

  • “The Use of Color in the Poetry of a Single 18th Century Poet”
  • “The Influence of a Specific Myth in a Single Novel”

Broad Topics:

Too Much Information: A very broad topic gives you too much information, from which you cannot focus and arrive at a mission for your research.

Superficial Analysis: You can end up doing a superficial analysis on a topic that is too broad, and this analysis may not be deep and may lack critical insight.

Difficulty in Formulating a Thesis: You will face some difficulty in formulating a clear and concise thesis statement on a broad topic. This will then affect the coherence of your research.

Examples of Broad Topics:

  • “The History of Human Civilization”
  • “The Impact of Technology on Society”

Perfect Types of Topics to Choose

One of the ideal humanities research topics should be specific enough to be analyzed using broad resources and interests. Following are some of the characteristics of perfect topics:

The topic chosen should be relevant to the pre-published existing issue, debate, or trend in the subject area of humanities.

  • Originality

Go for a topic in which an entirely different perspective opens up or something that covers a missing part of existing research.

  • Interest and passion

Choose a topic in which you are really interested and have the passion to go deeply into it.

  • Feasibility

Ensure that the topic is feasible within your timeframe and available resources for executing the project.

Examples of Good Topics:

  • “The Role of Social Media in Shaping Modern Identity”
  • “The Interplay of Art and Politics in 20th Century Europe”

Before you finally settle on a specific, interesting, and manageable topic, skim through the humanities research topics mentioned below and follow these guidelines so that you can set a good base for a successful and informative research project.

List of 100+ Best Humanities Research Paper Topics 

Captivating Human Research Ideas 

  • Analyze the Effect of the Cold War on American Society
  • Define Understanding of Justice in Political Philosophy
  • Comparative Study of World Religions
  • How Globalization Affects Cultural Identity?
  • How Does Music Affect Emotional and Cognitive Processes?
  • Exploring Intercultural Communication
  • Globalization and its Effects on Local Cultures and Traditions
  • Role of Music in Cultural and Religious Ceremonies
  • The Art of Storytelling across Different Cultures
  • Examine how Racism Affects a Family Unit

Unique Humanities Research Paper Topics

  • Discuss the Social and Economic Impact of the Industrial Revolution
  • Explain How Women Are Portrayed in Media as well as in Popular Culture
  • Examine the Effect of Community Volunteer Programs on Youth
  • Analyze How the Islamic Religion has Influenced American Culture
  • Describe What the World Thinks of Freedom
  • Examine How Science Influenced Humanities Over the Centuries
  • Explain How Various Cultures Around the World Perceive and Handle Death
  • Describe the Expression of Humanity During the Renaissance
  • What is Exciting about European Culture? 
  • What Are the Political and Social Implications of Design?

Top-Tier Human Research Ideas 

  • Describe the Cultural Significance of the Renaissance
  • Outline the various ways that Race is Represented within Literature
  • Examine the Relationship between Media and Culture
  • Make a Case for Each Movie Function Playing Its Role in Establishing Cultural Identity
  • Research the Reincarnation Process in Different Religions
  • Define Which Aspects of Latin American Countries are Culturally Distinct 
  • Examine the Graphic Novel Influence on Literacy
  • Based on History, Describe How the Animal Rights Movement has Impacted the Way of Life
  • Provide Examples of How the Humanities/Culture are Represented within the Bible
  • Explain How Environmental Surroundings Impact the Culture

Latest Topic Ideas for Humanities Research

  • The Morality of Artificial Intelligence
  • What Has Social Media Done for Self-Expression?
  • Outline the Progress of Computing in the Humanities
  • What Does the Future Hold for the Human Race in the Alien World?
  • Explain How the Gothic Genre has Gained New Readers
  • How has the Harlem Renaissance Added to the African American Culture?
  • How Does Instability Within the Political System Contribute to the Movie Business?
  • What Are the Causes of Philosophical Anarchism?
  • Analyze the impact of the Assimilation of Cultures.
  • Explain How the Humanities Impact the Application of Alternative Medicine

Simple And Easy Humanities Research Topics 

  • The Cultural Significance of Food
  • Board Games and Their Social Impact: A History
  • The Use of Music in Religious and Cultural Rituals
  • The Role of Dance in Cultural Expression
  • The Effect of Technology on Language and Communication
  • The Influence of Fairy Tales on Children’s Literature
  • The Role of Sports in Society
  • The Cultural Significance of Traditional Festivals
  • Portrayal of Heroes in Popular Culture
  • The Role of Social Media in Modern Communication

Digital Humanities Research Topics

  • Research How Digital Technology Has Affected Research in the Humanities
  • The Ethics of Digital Humanities Research
  • What Do You Mean by Text Mining and Computational Analysis in the Humanities?
  • Explain How the Culture Has Been Affected by Digital Access to Information
  • How Ancient texts Are Studied by Using Digital Technologies?
  • Explain Archaeological Data Archiving with the Help of Digital Technologies
  • Discuss How much the Digital Revolution has Influenced the Human Society
  • Examining the Potential of Digital Academic Data
  • Describe the Future of Global Communication in the Global World
  • Use of Digital Tools to Map Underground Structures

Medical Humanities Research Topics

  • Analyze the Use of Humanities-Based Interventions in Medical Education
  • Describe How Medical Theories Have been Represented in Art
  • Discuss the Role of Narrative Medicine in Healthcare
  • Assess the Contribution that Literature has to the acceptance of Weed Use in Medical Regions
  • Explain how Literature Represents Medical Addictions
  • Discussion on the Rising Behavior of Confidentiality Agreements within the Medical Community
  • Analyze Religious Influence on the medical community
  • Examine the Contribution of Art in Expanding the Medical Community
  • Contrast Medical Portrayals in Art vs. Religion
  • Examine Practices of Medicine on the Battlefield

College Humanities Research Paper Topics

  • The Impact of Spending More Time on Social Networking Sites
  • The Role of Social Norms and Cultures of People in a Certain Society
  • What Can be the Reason Behind People Struggling to Shift from One Culture to Another?
  • What is Meant by the Correlation Between a Class and a Student’s Performance?
  • Are Non-Traditional Families Necessary for the Growth and Development of any child?
  • What Can be the Reason that Most of the students Prefer Foreign Education?
  • What is Meant by the Right to Privacy?
  • Why Does Some Research Need to Involve Patriotic Students?
  • The Role of Economic Prosperity in Causing Patriotism
  • How Social Media Leads to Addiction?

Film Study Humanities Research Topics 

  • History of Cinema and Film Technology
  • The Evolution of Film Genres
  • Explain The Auteur Theory
  • Representations of Gender and Sexuality in Films
  • The Potential of Films to Change Cultural Identity
  • Theory of the Film and Its Impact on Film Criticism
  • International Cinema and Its Influences
  • The Impact of Technology on Filmmaking
  • Independent vs. Mainstream Cinema
  • The Techniques of Cinema and Their Effects

Humanities Research Topics on Religion 

  • Elucidate the Conflict between the Social Order and Religion in Society
  • Which Are the Two Oldest Religions of the World?
  • What Role Has Religion Played in the Shaping of Contemporary Society?
  • What Are the Differences in Religions in Relation to Reincarnation?
  • What are Some of the Possible Causes that May Lead to the Formation of New Religions Around the World?
  • How Does the Church Help in Improving the Well-Being of the Society?
  • The Role of Religion in Politics
  • The Influence of Religion on Art and Literature
  • Sacred Texts and Their Interpretations
  • Study How Migration Affects Religious Identity

Conclusion 

Pick any topic or idea that appeals to you from the above list and go ahead to write a commendable humanities research paper that can fetch you A+ scores. In case you have not yet found the appropriate humanities research topics or you need humanities research help from an expert, don’t hesitate to contact MyAssignmentHelp . We have a team of expert writers who can help you quickly master the ins and outs of delivering a successful and informative research project.

Alexander Andeerson

Alexander Andeerson

Hi, my name is Alexander Anderson. I am 30, and I am an English writing expert based in Melbourne. I started writing and blogging from a young age, and most of my write-ups are based on real experiences and self-taught. Currently, I write Academic Blogs for Students all across the Globe at MyAssignmenthelp.com. In addition to guiding students on their writing projects, I have also written on the topics of modern and contemporary art. If there’s something that I love more than Literature and art, it’s my Hungarian furry bud “Amos”. When I am not working, I am spending time with this greatest blessing in my life. 

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Top 100 Humanities Dissertation Topics Trending in 2021

  • August 8, 2021 August 8, 2021

Let us start with the simplest of all questions, that most of the students tend to overlook. What do we understand by the term ‘humanities’? Well, it is an academic discipline, connecting the branches of knowledge that are concerned with the human beings and their respective culture. The subject derives various critical and analytic methods of inquiry to appreciate human values and the unique ability of human spirit to predominantly express. 

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(since 2006)

The subject helps us understand fellow human beings through their histories, languages, and cultures.  The study of humanities helps the students to foster social justice and equality. The courses belongings to the subject tried to reason with the fact that how the people have tried to make spiritual, moral, and intellectual sense of the world. The pinpoint study of the subject helps in developing critical and well-informed citizens. The extent to which the students of humanities succeed in convincing the assignment evaluators, eventually decide their academic grade-sheets. The desire to fetch this competitive edge motivates the students to hire professional humanities assignment help .

humanities topics for research paper

Introduction

Humanities is one of the leading subjects taught in prestigious institutions, universities, and colleges across the globe. Some of the most popular subjects of humanities majors include theology, archaeology, English, politics, religious studies, history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and art history. The popularity of these subjects is quite evident for us due to the fact that our writers receive dozens of assignment writing services requests for these subjects on a daily basis. Besides the subjects mentioned above, there are certain degrees in humanities that are widely termed as lucrative for money making. These subjects include elementary education, child and family studies, advertising, fashion design, etc.

The prima facie objective of sharing this list of top 100 humanities dissertations topics is to help students have a widespread range of options when it comes to assignment topic selection. As these assignments are extremely time oriented and irreparable in terms of deadline, the time energy and resources disposed on topic search and selection will never fetch us grade points (or even brownie points) in the eyes of the evaluator. A quick selection of the dissertation topic from the recommended list of titles always considered to be a smarter approach. 

While preparing the marathon list of humanities topics, we have emphasized to cover the topics from diverse numbers of streams to help students from maximum possible domains.   

Why Choosing the Right Humanities Assignment Topic is Important?

For the academics and research assignments of humanities that are meant to decide the course of our career, it is critical to land upon the right topic due to the following reasons –

  • To make the assignment submission process a unique one and eye-catchy to the assignment evaluators.
  • To increase the weight of the submitted assignment by dedicating the same to a trending topic to make the subject contemporary.
  • To explore the subjects and the titles that are revolutionary in terms of research and open new doors of future exploration on the same. 
  • The selection of the right title can make the writing process extremely conducive to the student, as he or she would be attending a topic having immense interest and well-versed clarity of the concept. 
  • It helps the student to settle with the topic for which he or she can easily access the authentic and resourceful database of information.

Our online assignment help can not only recommend the most rational and concrete humanities assignment topics, but also fulfill the requirements of submitting high quality work within a tight deadline. 

Confused with too many topics on history, and cannot decide the one to go with? Reach the below link to pick the best titles from the list prepared by the experts.

Must read: discover mankind with top 100 history dissertation topics for assignments, top 100 humanities dissertation topics to choose from in 2021.

Let us begin with the marathon list of dissertation topics in humanities to resolve your title selection conundrum on a priority basis –

  • The professionalization of the primary education program for students
  • What is the perception of the quality of life by the primary school pupils?
  • The potential in the out-of-school environment in the development of the pupils
  • The conditions for the development of Romany Pupils in the present school culture
  • What are the primary causes for the withdrawal of the individuals from the profession of teaching?
  • Inverted family socialization of children during early education
  • The entry of life coaching skills to preschool teachers to enhance their professional value
  • Grandparents substituting the role of the parents of the preschoolers
  • Educational games can become tools of enhancing learning abilities: Theory or practice?
  • An assessment of the link between the classroom quality and learning outcome in the kindergarten
  • An assessment of the implementation process of inclusive education in the United States
  • Factors affecting the decision to transfer the institutions of higher education outside the United States
  • Conventional v/s online education face-to-face for the adult learners:- Compare and contrast
  • Chinese study abroad to have a genuine excuse to travel: Discuss
  • How does operating as a taxi driver as well as navigating change the brain of a person?
  • To what extent can the reality television can turn out to be dis-empowering for the students?
  • The function of homework in developing the lives of the immigrant adolescents
  • The influence of the shocking behavior of the teachers in nurturing the creativity of the students
  • The determiners of flossing conduct in the college students
  • The classification of the drinking pattern in college-age population
  • Integrating computer into the curriculum- We cannot simply plug it in
  • The presumptions for a serious music-making hobby in the students of computer science
  • The challenges for adult graduates with learning technologies
  • The impact of the academic performance on the academic well-being of the adolescents
  • The impact of mathematics coaching on the self-esteem of the students
  • The influence of the Internet on the emotional maturity of the students
  • The academic achievements of the students who decide to choose a career stream in teaching
  • Students are more prone to finish the homework given by the good-looking professors: Discuss
  • Informal learning in the rural areas via social networks
  • Edublogging for the professors: The social networking of educationists
  • Does the learning existentialism results in suicides?
  • Is it feasible to curtail summer learning loss without consent from the students?
  • Can we actually reject classical math as well as proceed with it at the same time?
  • Students are less likely to believe something is unusual when their teachers act like it is not weird
  • Is holding a degree in humanities absolutely useless? What are the key career prospects?
  • Application of electronic games in the museums can turn out to be a smart education tool
  • Brainwashing people swiftly can make them immune to it
  • Creativity is a kind of fantasy that is nothing more than auto-hypnosis
  • Literature analysis is a sham, because we will never learn what a long dead author wished to convey in his or her book
  • Surfing out the web for 10 years equivalent to a college degree
  • Positive outlook to school can enhance academic performance, but the students doubt it
  • Sex education is more complex and stressful to the teachers than the students: Discuss
  • The stigma of being a single parent. Discuss with examples
  • How the quality of family life influence the parent-child relationships?
  • Empowerment of women in Saudi Arabia in 2000s: The challenges and the breakthroughs
  • Alcohol addiction for a long-term and the self-perception in the young adults
  • Adoption and its impact on the parent-child relationships
  • The comparison of traditions associated to family dinners in the US and the UK
  • How the influence of social pressure is bringing change in the behavior of the adolescents?
  • The impact of the emo culture on the suicide rates in the high school students
  • The rates of secularization of the elderly individuals residing in rural and urban areas: A case analysis
  • The quality of life for the transgenders in an open and a closed society: A comparative study
  • The arms race of the 21 st century: The present and the future
  • A comparative study of the anti-nuclear movements in Japan and Germany in the 21 st century
  • How limited access to technology is affecting the performance rates of teenagers in impoverished societies?
  • Performance rates of the teenagers in schools from low-income neighborhoods: Boston schools case study
  • Discuss design in the form of an art
  • The philosophy of design
  • The history of design during the dark ages
  • The history of design during the middle ages
  • The history of design during the Renaissance
  • The history of design during the French Revolution
  • Discuss the components of home interior designing
  • Discuss the components of toy designing
  • Discuss the components of car designing
  • Discuss the stylistic peculiarities of a particular fashion designer of your choice
  • Web designing: A modern-day quintessence of design
  • Discuss the political and social implications of design
  • The origin of communism and its association to Stendhal
  • The association between literature and politics during the 19 th century
  • An assessment of the artists and the art during the times of war
  • How the modern art is related to the American suffering?
  • Analyze how racism affects a family unit?
  • Is it true that a democratic political model can influence a capitalist society? If yes, then to how much extent?
  • Socioeconomic development: The impact of major sociological dimensions over the progress of a society
  • Societal beliefs and values: The impact of the corporate social responsibility
  • Human social behavioral approach is extremely complex: Evaluating the failure of the cognitive modules in assessing the human behavior
  • The mechanism study of the neural development in the form of information source for the early cognition
  • The crucial traits and the cognitive factors influencing the development of the creativity in the form of a multi-faceted propensity
  • The Great Depression: The assessment of the strategies that could have resulted in a better solution
  • The situational factors that lead to the Second World War and the most possible ways through which it could have been resolved easily
  • How does the instability existing within the political system impact the movie industry?
  • How did the political makeshifts reflected in Germany through German cinema?
  • How did the political makeshifts reflected in France through French cinema?
  • How did the political makeshifts reflected in Italy through Italian cinema?
  • An assessment of the factors that resulted in the beginning of the Cold War
  • How did the decades of the Cold War between the USA and the USSR changed the geopolitical equations of South-Asia?
  • From social media post to global mass movement: Case analysis of #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo
  • How did the Biblical Stand prepared the cultural outlook of the masses on the subjects like sensuality and sexuality?
  • The causes and the effects of the Nigerian Fulani Herdsmen Crisis
  • Rewriting the role of women in the history of Ghana during 1950 to 1966
  • The history of the Ashes and how it emotionally transformed the sport in two different continents?
  • Will the Central-South Asia to become the next epicenter of refugee crisis? Discuss it from the perspective of the current Afghan crisis
  • Are data the new weapon? Discuss it from the viewpoint of the Cyber warfare that countries conduct on one another for geopolitical gains
  • The Third World War would revolve around the scarcity of water. Discuss
  • Preserving the historical heritage and worth of ancient languages: Discuss from the case analysis of Sanskrit
  • Distinguish between the classical music and hip-hop music
  • Discuss the nature of consciousness from the viewpoint of the Buddhist philosophy
  • The future of humanity in an extraterrestrial world- Discuss
  • Are you living out the life of your dreams? Which actions actually made you feel the most passionate and alive?

The best thing about these humanities titles is that their utility is not confined to your dissertation help requirements only. These titles can wisely be used for the topic selection requirements for other assignment writing formats as well, including case study help , essay help , research paper writing help , or thesis help . We encourage students to refer the list for their humanities homework requirements related to all kinds of assignment writing formats.

Your decision on the selection of literature dissertation topic could either make or break the homework submission efforts. Check the below article to pick from the titles strongly recommended by the top university professors.

Must read: top 50 literature dissertation topics prevalent in the year 2021.

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Writing in Philosophy   values logical reasoning — in other words, Philosophy is interested in  how  you argue. Writing in Philosophy can include   several types of writing tasks, like original arguments, argument reconstruction, objections and replies, and/or thought experiments. As the UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center’s Philosophy writing guide points out, each type of writing has a different goal to achieve and so needs a different approach from the writer.

For example, an objection to an argument must give reasons for why the argument or its reasoning is flawed: maybe the premises don’t really support the claims, or the argument doesn’t use its terms consistently, or the conclusion relies on unspoken assumptions; etc. When building arguments in Philosophy, writers need to be careful to avoid logical fallacies, which create flaws in an argument and weaken its reasoning. 

Remember, also, that writing in Philosophy often uses specialized terminology with meanings that are specific to Philosophy itself. When defining these terms in an argument — like ‘vague,’ ‘logical,’ or ‘truth’ — writers should  not  use a standard dictionary. For philosophical terms, look up Philosophy reference materials or even Pryor’s “Philosophical Glossary for Beginners” for a head-start.

Writing in Philosophy should be clear and straightforward so that a reader does not misinterpret the argument. So, writers should use plain prose and a clear structure. To help your reader follow your argument, try to ‘signal’ to them what you’re doing (for example, “As I have just explained” or “Smith’s next premise that…”).

Writing in Music can involve several types of assignments, and   UNC-Chapel Hill’s Writing Center’s Music writing guide talks about approaches for argumentative papers, concert reports, historical analyses, song analyses, and performance or media comparisons. They also give tips for describing music, using music terminology (and terms to avoid), and making arguments about music.

Writers in Music should be careful to avoid common pitfalls, like projecting emotional content, mixing or misusing terminology, or using the wrong tense.   When writing technical descriptions of music, explain why the details you’ve described are important — try to avoid giving a “‘blow-by-blow’ analysis.”   Duke University’s Writing Studio’s Music writing guide explains more “actions” for writing in Music, including tips like providing the relevant sections of the score in your examples, supporting your evaluations with evidence from the music, and always explaining your examples.

The ultimate goal in writing in the humanities is to explain or understand the human experience and human values. The humanities—also called the liberal arts—include philosophy, religion, art, music, literature, history, and language. These fields are a broad way of studying and understanding how people express ideas, information, and feelings—the experience of what makes us human. Sometimes mislabeled as the “opposite” of the applied sciences or professional programs such as business, the humanities are in fact at the core of every human endeavor to pursue, discover, and pass on knowledge.

A good literature paper has a debatable argument (or thesis) that is well supported. This argument is your own original idea, based on a thorough understanding of the text and supported with careful reasoning. So, what makes a good literature paper? 

An argument:  when you write an extended literary essay, often one requiring research, you are essentially making an argument. You are arguing that your perspective-an interpretation, an evaluative judgment, or a critical evaluation-is a valid one.

A Debatable Thesis Statement:  like any argument paper you have ever written for a first-year composition course, you must have a specific, detailed thesis statement that reveals your perspective, and, like any good argument, your perspective must be one which is debatable.

  • You would not   want to make an argument of this sort:

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play about a young man who seeks revenge.

That doesn't say anything-it's basically just a summary and is hardly debatable.

  • A better thesis would be this:

Hamlet experiences internal conflict because he is in love with his mother.

That is debatable, controversial even. The rest of a paper with this argument as its thesis will be an attempt to show, using specific examples from the text and evidence from scholars, (1) how Hamlet is in love with his mother, (2) why he's in love with her, and (3) what implications there are for reading the play in this manner.

  • You also want to avoid a thesis statement like this:

Spirituality means different things to different people. King Lear, The Book of Romans, and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance each view the spirit differently.

Again, that says nothing that's not already self-evident. Why bother writing a paper about that? You're not writing an essay to list works that have nothing in common other than a general topic like "spirituality." You want to find certain works or authors that, while they may have several differences, do have some specific, unifying point. That point is your thesis.

Lear, Romans, and Zen each view the soul as the center of human personality.

Then you prove it, using examples from the texts that show that the soul is the center of personality.

Research papers are perhaps the most common form of writing you should expect in a history course.   As the name suggests, these assignments require you to participate in historical research. After reading through primary and secondary sources, you will need to interpret them in a way that can answer some question about the past.

When writing a historical research paper, your goal is to choose a topic and write a paper that:

      1) Asks a good historical question—your inquiry should capture the complexities of history, examining how certain factors contributed to an event or how an event could be examined or understood in a new light, apart from what previous historians have suggested.

      2) Tells how your ideas connect to previous work by other historians, and

      3) Offers a well-organized and persuasive thesis of your own.

Art History

Evaluating and writing about visual material uses many of the same analytical skills that you have learned from other fields, such as history or literature. In art history, however, you will be asked to gather your evidence from close observations of objects or images. Beyond painting, photography, and sculpture, you may be asked to write about posters, illustrations, coins, and other materials.

Some helpful tips when writing for theology classes:

1. Know what kind of paper you are writing.

  • If it is a spirituality/reflection paper, you can use first person.
  • If it is a biblical studies/analysis paper, use third person only.

2. Be extremely clear. Theological writing is very academic. If it helps, state what you will be doing or the purpose of your paper directly in the thesis/introduction.

  • In this paper, I will _______.

3. Read sources carefully

  • Be able to understand what the author is saying and summarize it in your own words.
  • Read footnotes.
  • Make use of sources frequently in your paper.
  • When including a quote, make sure you explain it and incorporate it into the sentence.

4. Useful sources

  • Commentaries: analyses on scripture
  • Good for: exegesis, passage analysis, biblical studies
  • Examples: Anchor Bible Commentary
  • Practical sources: applying theology to the public sphere
  • Good for: ethics, philosophy, history, spirituality
  • Examples: St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Reinhold Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr, Catholic Church catechisms

Philosophy Links

  • Arguments in Philosophy
  • UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center’s Philosophy writing guide
  • Harvard College's Philosophy writing guide

Theatre Links

  • UNC-Chapel Hill’s Writing Center’s drama guide
  • University of Wisconsin’s Writing Center’s play review guide
  • University of Richmond’s Guidelines for Writing Critiques for Theatre Performances

Literature Links

  • William H. Hannon Library Literature Guide

Music Links

  • UNC-Chapel Hill’s Writing Center’s Music writing guide
  • Richmond University’s Writing Center’s Music writing guide
  • Duke University’s Writing Studio’s Music writing guide

Writing about theatre or drama includes writing about plays, productions, and performances. UNC-Chapel Hill’s Writing Center’s drama guide explains that “writing about drama often means explaining what makes the plays we watch or read so exciting.” They provide a handout for writing about drama, including mini-guides to what elements to consider and analyze when writing specifically about a play, a performance, or a production. 

For a brief overview of some general principles for writing about theatre, refer to the University of Richmond’s Guidelines for Writing Critiques for Theatre Performances. 

Typically, you should format and organize a theatre paper in the same way you would format a paper for your humanities classes, including English 101 and 102. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Begin with an introduction paragraph that includes your thesis. A good thesis for a theater paper will be an argument or central claim about some aspect of the play, production, or performance (such as the ones discussed above) that is specific, bold, and, most importantly, supportable by the evidence you will present in the body paragraphs of the paper.
  • Evidence includes both primary sources (the play or production itself as well as analysis based on your own interpretation) and secondary sources such as scholarly publications you may consult. 
  • End with a conclusion paragraph that reiterates the main points of the paper and gestures beyond its scope to the larger significance of what you have accomplished.
  • Citations should be in MLA format (unless otherwise indicated by your instructor)
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Home » Humanities Research – Types, Methods and Examples

Humanities Research – Types, Methods and Examples

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Humanities Research

Humanities Research

Definition:

Humanities research is a systematic and critical investigation of human culture, values, beliefs, and practices, including the study of literature, philosophy, history, art, languages, religion, and other aspects of human experience.

Types of Humanities Research

Types of Humanities Research are as follows:

Historical Research

This type of research involves studying the past to understand how societies and cultures have evolved over time. Historical research may involve examining primary sources such as documents, artifacts, and other cultural products, as well as secondary sources such as scholarly articles and books.

Cultural Studies

This type of research involves examining the cultural expressions and practices of a particular society or community. Cultural studies may involve analyzing literature, art, music, film, and other forms of cultural production to understand their social and cultural significance.

Linguistics Research

This type of research involves studying language and its role in shaping cultural and social practices. Linguistics research may involve analyzing the structure and use of language, as well as its historical development and cultural variations.

Anthropological Research

This type of research involves studying human cultures and societies from a comparative and cross-cultural perspective. Anthropological research may involve ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, interviews, and other qualitative research methods.

Philosophy Research

This type of research involves examining fundamental questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, morality, and other philosophical concepts. Philosophy research may involve analyzing philosophical texts, conducting thought experiments, and engaging in philosophical discourse.

Art History Research

This type of research involves studying the history and significance of art and visual culture. Art history research may involve analyzing the formal and aesthetic qualities of art, as well as its historical context and cultural significance.

Literary Studies Research

This type of research involves analyzing literature and other forms of written expression. Literary studies research may involve examining the formal and structural qualities of literature, as well as its historical and cultural context.

Digital Humanities Research

This type of research involves using digital technologies to study and analyze cultural artifacts and practices. Digital humanities research may involve analyzing large datasets, creating digital archives, and using computational methods to study cultural phenomena.

Data Collection Methods

Data Collection Methods in Humanities Research are as follows:

  • Interviews : This method involves conducting face-to-face, phone or virtual interviews with individuals who are knowledgeable about the research topic. Interviews may be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, depending on the research questions and objectives. Interviews are often used in qualitative research to gain in-depth insights and perspectives.
  • Surveys : This method involves distributing questionnaires or surveys to a sample of individuals or groups. Surveys may be conducted in person, through the mail, or online. Surveys are often used in quantitative research to collect data on attitudes, behaviors, and other characteristics of a population.
  • Observations : This method involves observing and recording behavior or events in a natural or controlled setting. Observations may be structured or unstructured, and may involve the use of audio or video recording equipment. Observations are often used in qualitative research to collect data on social practices and behaviors.
  • Archival Research: This method involves collecting data from historical documents, artifacts, and other cultural products. Archival research may involve accessing physical archives or online databases. Archival research is often used in historical and cultural studies to study the past.
  • Case Studies : This method involves examining a single case or a small number of cases in depth. Case studies may involve collecting data through interviews, observations, and archival research. Case studies are often used in cultural studies, anthropology, and sociology to understand specific social or cultural phenomena.
  • Focus Groups : This method involves bringing together a small group of individuals to discuss a particular topic or issue. Focus groups may be conducted in person or online, and are often used in qualitative research to gain insights into social and cultural practices and attitudes.
  • Participatory Action Research : This method involves engaging with individuals or communities in the research process, with the goal of promoting social change or addressing a specific social problem. Participatory action research may involve conducting focus groups, interviews, or surveys, as well as involving participants in data analysis and interpretation.

Data Analysis Methods

Some common data analysis methods used in humanities research:

  • Content Analysis : This method involves analyzing the content of texts or cultural artifacts to identify patterns, themes, and meanings. Content analysis is often used in literary studies, media studies, and cultural studies to analyze the meanings and representations conveyed in cultural products.
  • Discourse Analysis: This method involves analyzing the use of language and discourse to understand social and cultural practices and identities. Discourse analysis may involve analyzing the structure, meaning, and power dynamics of language and discourse in different social contexts.
  • Narrative Analysis: This method involves analyzing the structure, content, and meaning of narratives in different cultural contexts. Narrative analysis may involve analyzing the themes, symbols, and narrative devices used in literary texts or other cultural products.
  • Ethnographic Analysis : This method involves analyzing ethnographic data collected through participant observation, interviews, and other qualitative methods. Ethnographic analysis may involve identifying patterns and themes in the data, as well as interpreting the meaning and significance of social and cultural practices.
  • Statistical Analysis: This method involves using statistical methods to analyze quantitative data collected through surveys or other quantitative methods. Statistical analysis may involve using descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics of the data, or inferential statistics to test hypotheses and make inferences about a population.
  • Network Analysis: This method involves analyzing the structure and dynamics of social networks to understand social and cultural practices and relationships. Network analysis may involve analyzing patterns of social interaction, communication, and influence.
  • Visual Analysis : This method involves analyzing visual data, such as images, photographs, and art, to understand their cultural and social significance. Visual analysis may involve analyzing the formal and aesthetic qualities of visual products, as well as their historical and cultural context.

Examples of Humanities Research

Some Examples of Humanities Research are as follows:

  • Literary research on diversity and representation: Scholars of literature are exploring the representation of different groups in literature and how those representations have changed over time. They are also studying how literature can promote empathy and understanding across different cultures and communities.
  • Philosophical research on ethics and technology: Philosophers are examining the ethical implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology. They are asking questions about what it means to be human in a world where technology is becoming increasingly advanced.
  • Anthropological research on cultural identity: Anthropologists are studying the ways in which culture shapes individual and collective identities. They are exploring how cultural practices and beliefs can shape social and political systems, as well as how individuals and communities resist or adapt to dominant cultural norms.
  • Linguistic research on language and communication: Linguists are studying the ways in which language use and communication can impact social and political power dynamics. They are exploring how language can reinforce or challenge social hierarchies and how language use can reflect cultural values and norms.

How to Conduct Humanities Research

Conducting humanities research involves a number of steps, including:

  • Define your research question or topic : Identify a question or topic that you want to explore in-depth. This can be a broad or narrow topic, depending on the scope of your research project.
  • Conduct a literature review: Before beginning your research, read extensively on your topic. This will help you understand the existing scholarship and identify gaps in the literature that your research can address.
  • Develop a research methodology: Determine the methods you will use to collect and analyze data, such as interviews, surveys, archival research, or textual analysis. Your methodology should be appropriate to your research question and topic.
  • Collect data: Collect data using the methods you have chosen. This may involve conducting interviews, surveys, or archival research, or analyzing primary or secondary sources.
  • Analyze data: Once you have collected data, analyze it using appropriate methods. This may involve coding, categorizing, or comparing data, or interpreting texts or other sources.
  • Draw conclusions: Based on your analysis, draw conclusions about your research question or topic. These conclusions should be supported by your data and should contribute to existing scholarship.
  • Communicate your findings : Communicate your findings through writing, presentations, or other forms of dissemination. Your work should be clearly written and accessible to a broad audience.

Applications of Humanities Research

Humanities research has many practical applications in various fields, including:

  • Policy-making: Humanities research can inform policy-making by providing insights into social, cultural, and historical contexts. It can help policymakers understand the impact of policies on communities and identify potential unintended consequences.
  • Education: Humanities research can inform curriculum development and pedagogy. It can provide insights into how to teach critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and communication skills.
  • Cultural heritage preservation: Humanities research can help to preserve cultural heritage by documenting and analyzing cultural practices, traditions, and artifacts. It can also help to promote cultural tourism and support local economies.
  • Business and industry: Humanities research can provide insights into consumer behavior, cultural preferences, and historical trends that can inform marketing, branding, and product design.
  • Healthcare : Humanities research can contribute to the development of patient-centered healthcare by exploring the impact of social and cultural factors on health and illness. It can also help to promote cross-cultural understanding and empathy in healthcare settings.
  • Social justice: Humanities research can contribute to social justice by providing insights into the experiences of marginalized communities, documenting historical injustices, and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Purpose of Humanities Research

The purpose of humanities research is to deepen our understanding of human experience, culture, and history. Humanities research aims to explore the human condition and to provide insights into the diversity of human perspectives, values, and beliefs.

Humanities research can contribute to knowledge in various fields, including history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, and more. It can help us to understand how societies and cultures have evolved over time, how they have been shaped by various factors, and how they continue to change.

Humanities research also aims to promote critical thinking and creativity. It encourages us to question assumptions, to challenge dominant narratives, and to seek out new perspectives. Humanities research can help us to develop empathy and understanding for different cultures and communities, and to appreciate the richness and complexity of human experience.

Overall, the purpose of humanities research is to contribute to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our world. It helps us to grapple with fundamental questions about the human experience and to develop the skills and insights needed to address the challenges of the future.

When to use Humanities Research

Humanities research can be used in various contexts where a deeper understanding of human experience, culture, and history is required. Here are some examples of when humanities research may be appropriate:

  • Exploring social and cultural phenomena: Humanities research can be used to explore social and cultural phenomena such as art, literature, religion, and politics. It can help to understand how these phenomena have evolved over time and how they relate to broader social, cultural, and historical contexts.
  • Understanding historical events: Humanities research can be used to understand historical events such as wars, revolutions, and social movements. It can provide insights into the motivations, experiences, and perspectives of the people involved, and help to contextualize these events within broader historical trends.
  • Promoting cultural understanding : Humanities research can be used to promote cross-cultural understanding and to challenge stereotypes and biases. It can provide insights into the diversity of human experiences, values, and beliefs, and help to build empathy and mutual respect across different cultures and communities.
  • Informing policy-making: Humanities research can be used to inform policy-making by providing insights into social, cultural, and historical contexts. It can help policymakers understand the impact of policies on communities and identify potential unintended consequences.
  • Promoting innovation and creativity : Humanities research can be used to promote innovation and creativity in various fields. It can help to generate new ideas, perspectives, and approaches to complex problems, and to challenge conventional thinking and assumptions.

Characteristics of Humanities Research

Some of the key characteristics of humanities research:

  • Focus on human experience: Humanities research focuses on the study of human experience, culture, and history. It aims to understand the human condition, explore human values and beliefs, and analyze the ways in which societies and cultures have evolved over time.
  • Interpretive approach: Humanities research takes an interpretive approach to data analysis. It seeks to understand the meaning behind texts, artifacts, and cultural practices, and to explore the multiple perspectives and contexts that shape human experience.
  • Contextualization : Humanities research emphasizes the importance of contextualization. It seeks to understand how social, cultural, and historical factors shape human experience, and to place individual phenomena within broader cultural and historical contexts.
  • Subjectivity : Humanities research recognizes the subjective nature of human experience. It acknowledges that human values, beliefs, and experiences are shaped by individual perspectives, and that these perspectives can vary across cultures, communities, and time periods.
  • Narrative analysis : Humanities research often uses narrative analysis to explore the stories, myths, and cultural narratives that shape human experience. It seeks to understand how these narratives are constructed, how they evolve over time, and how they influence individual and collective identity.
  • Multi-disciplinary: Humanities research is often interdisciplinary, drawing on a range of disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, and more. It seeks to bring together different perspectives and approaches to understand complex human phenomena.

Advantages of Humanities Research

Some of the key advantages of humanities research:

  • Promotes critical thinking: Humanities research encourages critical thinking by challenging assumptions and exploring different perspectives. It requires researchers to analyze and interpret complex texts, artifacts, and cultural practices, and to make connections between different phenomena.
  • Enhances cultural understanding : Humanities research promotes cross-cultural understanding by exploring the diversity of human experiences, values, and beliefs. It helps to challenge stereotypes and biases and to build empathy and mutual respect across different cultures and communities.
  • Builds historical awareness: Humanities research helps us to understand the historical context of current events and social issues. It provides insights into how societies and cultures have evolved over time and how they have been shaped by various factors, and helps us to contextualize current social, political, and cultural trends.
  • Contributes to public discourse: Humanities research contributes to public discourse by providing insights into complex social, cultural, and historical phenomena. It helps to inform public policy and public debate by providing evidence-based analysis and insights into social issues and problems.
  • Promotes creativity and innovation: Humanities research promotes creativity and innovation by challenging conventional thinking and assumptions. It encourages researchers to generate new ideas and perspectives and to explore alternative ways of understanding and addressing complex problems.
  • Builds communication skills: Humanities research requires strong communication skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret complex texts, artifacts, and cultural practices, and to communicate findings and insights in a clear and compelling way.

Limitations of Humanities Research

Some of the key limitations of humanities research:

  • Subjectivity: Humanities research relies heavily on interpretation and analysis, which are inherently subjective. Researchers bring their own perspectives, biases, and values to the analysis, which can affect the conclusions they draw.
  • Lack of generalizability : Humanities research often focuses on specific texts, artifacts, or cultural practices, which can limit the generalizability of findings to other contexts. It is difficult to make broad generalizations based on limited samples, which can be a challenge when trying to draw broader conclusions.
  • Limited quantitative data : Humanities research often relies on qualitative data, such as texts, images, and cultural practices, which can be difficult to quantify. This can make it difficult to conduct statistical analyses or to draw quantitative conclusions.
  • Limited replicability: Humanities research often involves in-depth analysis of specific texts, artifacts, or cultural practices, which can make it difficult to replicate studies. This can make it challenging to test the validity of findings or to compare results across studies.
  • Limited funding: Humanities research may not always receive the same level of funding as other types of research. This can make it challenging for researchers to conduct large-scale studies or to have access to the same resources as other researchers in different fields.
  • Limited impact : Humanities research may not always have the same level of impact as research in other fields, particularly in terms of policy and practical applications. This can make it challenging for researchers to demonstrate the relevance and impact of their work.

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Systematic Strategies for Humanities Research-Paper Writing: Part One

By Sørina Higgins, Consultant

Hello, fellow grad students in the humanities! It’s just about time to start thinking about those big end-of-term papers you’ll write for most of your grad classes, those 20- to 30-pagers that hover somewhere between an exhausting school assignment and the draft of a professional article. Well, here are some suggestions for you to consider applying to the process of researching and writing those seminar papers. Hopefully these ideas will be useful for you whether you’re about to write your first one or your last one ever. Either way, congrats! This is a big deal; you’re about to produce some original research to add to the scholarly conversation, and it’s a chance to really dig into doing what you love, the thing you came to grad school for. I’ll try to help smooth the way here so that you don’t have to figure out the research process for yourself. And feel free to add additional strategies in the comments below!

First, plan ahead. Set aside a day well before the deadline (at least a month; six weeks or two months is better) in order to start preliminary research and order books. Don’t panic; you needn’t begin writing the paper at this point, but you do need to provide enough lead time for getting materials through interlibrary loan , and you probably want to at least glance over the most relevant and/or recent scholarship to make sure someone else hasn’t done exactly what you want to do. At this point, you can do a few of the steps below. You don’t need to do all of them now, and you can probably get away with never doing some of them, but the more of this background research you complete early on, the smoother the writing process will be and the better the final product.

  • Choose authors, texts, themes, time periods, events, or issues of interest, as relevant to the project and your field. Make sure to read and reread the assignment prompt carefully and ask your professor for clarification if needed. But here’s something to consider: I don’t think “choosing a topic” really works for serious research. Instead, I recommend picking a field of interest, narrowing it down considerably, and honing your focus until you develop a Research Question .
  • Crafting your Research Question is an important step that many inexperienced scholars omit or rush past. The better your initial Research Question, the more successful and less stressful the whole process will be. There are lots of reasons for this: Your question guides the type of research you’ll do, what sources you’ll investigate, the kind of research design or method you’ll employ, even the scope and structure of the paper. So don’t “pick a topic”; take the time to develop a truly workable question instead. There is lots of advice available about the characteristics of good and bad Research Questions ; here are a few I’ve found particularly helpful. The question must be researchable by you and must fit into the rest of this semester—so there probably isn’t time for extensive field work or archival research. It must be a fact-finding question, not an ethical or interpretive question at this stage. It must be a question to which you do not currently know the answer, but which has high stakes for your field. Take your time on this step, consulting with faculty or advanced students and browsing around in publications in your field.
  • Okay, once you’ve drafted a solid Research Question, it’s time to start the initial research. See if there is a recent “state of the field” article, bibliography, or some other resource that covers what’s being published right now in your area. If you don’t readily find such a thing, ask the professor to recommend one. The more focused this can be on works that potentially answer your Research Question, the better. Even just reading through the titles of the most recent articles and books in your field can give you a sense of what’s being done now and what the current concerns are.
  • For studies involving literature and other print-heavy fields (English, Theatre, History, Religion, American Studies, Music, etc.) it’s a good idea to find the best, most recent bibliography of your target authors’ works and to find out which are the official editions of these authors’ works. You can usually discover this by looking in the latest issues of the top journal(s) in this field. If you don’t readily find out, ask the professor which ones are currently the most acceptable. It would be a shame to write your whole Thomas Malory paper, say, using Vinaver only to find out that your target journal—or worse yet, your professor!—favors Field. Horrors.
  • Now you might want to compile a list of the relevant primary sources in chronological order. Hopefully this already exists, in the form of a handy bibliography. But if not, make one yourself—then narrow it down. There’s no way you’re going to read all that in the next few weeks. No, seriously. You won’t.
  • Similarly, compile a list of the relevant secondary sources, but in reverse chronological order. While you’re at it, do a quick check to find out what your professor has written (if they haven’t already assigned their Complete Works to you in their seminar. Yup. It happens). Do they have anything relevant on the subject? If so, be sure to read it and cite it if possible. Anyway, back to this reverse chronological order thing. See, the idea is that you’ll want to have a general sense of both what’s hot in your field and also what the classic, game-changing, most-cited academic works are. If you start reading (skimming, really, or maybe even just reading abstracts) with the newest stuff, you’ll accomplish that first goal of seeing what’s hot right away, and pretty soon you’ll start seeing certain Names repeated over and over. Those are the Founding Folks of your field; get their works. Have a glance inside. Cite them a teeny bit. That’s cocktail party cred right there.
  • Take a breath. What have you learned? Do you get a sense of the most pressing concerns in your field right now? Do you need to revise your Research Question at this point? Take a break. Let it all settle for a while. Then come back and cut your lists in half. For real. You still won’t read all of that, so cut out whatever is not absolutely necessary, and then some of what’s left. Now acquire the rest of it. Check books out of the library, order things via ILL, download or print articles, and that sort of thing. Somewhere in this initial researching phase, make an appointment with your subject-area’s liaison librarian to get assistance with locating anything you’ve missed or with filling in gaps.
  • As you work on this initial research process, put everything in a Zotero folder. Researching, writing, and citing are one integrated activity, so always keep track of sources and citations as you go.

TL;DR: Read, read, read! Come up with a research  question , rather than a research topic; the narrower, the better. Know the foundational texts related to your question. Check out the bibliography of related article from a journal that you really like. Compile a list of primary texts you need, then narrow to the essentials. Do the same with secondary texts, but prioritize by the most recent scholarship. Do preliminary searches and skims, then revise your lists again. Keep track of everything in a Zotero folder.

Tune in next week when we talk about actually beginning to write!

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WashU Libraries

Conducting research.

  • The Process
  • Step 1: Exploring an idea
  • Step 2: Finding background info.
  • Step 3: Finding Print/E-Books
  • Step 4: Finding Articles (Current Research)
  • Step 5: Evaluating your sources
  • Step 6: Citing your sources
  • FAQs This link opens in a new window
  • Library Vocabulary
  • Research in the Humanities
  • Research in the Social Sciences
  • Research in the Sciences

Researching in the Humanities

The fields in the Humanities discipline generally include the visual and performing arts, philosophy, literature, religion, history, languages, art history, and classics.  Although research methods differ among the Humanities, the Social Sciences, and the Sciences, any research project in any discipline starts with curiosity and a hypothesis.  Often research topics are interdisciplinary and may include multiple subject areas and methods from more than just one discipline.

When beginning a research project in the humanities, you must develop a deep knowledge base in a subject area, choose original sources to examine, locate and evaluate sources that also explore your areas of interest, and then come to your own original conclusions. Libraries can help you find the material you need to get started.  The research guides listed on the right are created by WUSTL Subject Librarians.  Subject Librarians have expertise in both searching techniques and academic fields, and their online guides suggest resources for the different phases of the research process: 1) Use background sources to establish your knowledge base.  These could be subject encyclopedias, key works in a field, bibliographies, etc. 2) Select original sources, commonly referred to as primary sources, for your analysis.  Primary sources are simply original works, e.g., novels, photographs, diaries, correspondence, advertisements, eyewitness accounts. 3) Find articles, reviews, and books that analyze primary sources.  These are known as secondary sources. Then, synthesize all this information with your own thinking and draw your original conclusions, thus creating new research in the field.

If you need additional assistance, please reach out to one of the Subject Librarians.

  • Find a Subject Librarian This is a list of the Subject Librarians by academic subject.

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  • << Previous: Library Vocabulary
  • Next: Research in the Social Sciences >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 11:41 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.wustl.edu/research

Organizing Research for Arts and Humanities Papers and Theses

  • General Guide Information
  • Developing a Topic
  • What are Primary and Secondary Sources
  • What are Scholarly and Non-Scholarly Sources
  • Writing an Abstract
  • Writing Academic Book Reviews
  • Writing A Literature Review
  • Using Images and other Media

Critical Engagement

Note: these recommendations are geared toward researchers in the arts or humanities.

Developing a research topic is an iterative process, even for a short paper. This is a process that emerges in stages, and one which requires critical (but not criticizing) engagement with the evidence, literature, and prior research. The evidence can be an object, an artifact, a historic event, an idea, a theoretical framework, or existing interpretations.

Ultimately, you want to be able to pose a research question that you will then investigate in your paper.

If you are writing a paper for a course, the initial critical ideas and theoretical frameworks may come from your course readings. Pay attention to footnotes and bibliographies in your readings, because they can help you identify other potential sources of information.

As you are thinking about your topic, consider what, if anything, has already been written. If a lot of literature exists on your topic, you will need to narrow your topic down, and decide how to make it interesting for your reader. Regurgitating or synthesizing what has already been said is very unlikely to be exciting both for you and for those who will be reading your wok. If there is little or no literature on your topic, you will need to think how to frame it so as to take advantage of existing theories in the discipline. You may also be able to take advantage of existing scholarship on related topics.

Types of Research Papers

There are two common types of research papers in the arts and humanities: expository and argumentative . In an expository paper you develop an idea or critical "reading" of something, and then support your idea or "reading" with evidence. In an argumentative essay you propose an argument or a framework to engage in a dialog with and to refute an existing interpretation, and provide evidence to support your argument/interpretation, as well as evidence to refute an existing argument/interpretation. For further elaboration on expository and argumentative papers, as well and for examples of both types of essays, check the book titled The Art of Writing About Art , co-authored by Suzanne Hudson and Nancy Noonan-Morrissey, originally published in 2001. Note that particular disciplines in the arts or humanities may have other specialized types of frameworks for research.

Also, remember that a research paper is not "merely an elaborately footnoted presentation of what a dozen scholars have already said about a topic; it is a thoughtful evaluation of the available evidence , and so is, finally, an expression of what the author [i.e., you] thinks the evidence adds up to." [Sylvan Barnet, A Short Guide to Writing About Art (New York: Pearson/Longman, 2005), 238-239.]

If you select a broad topic

If a lot has been written on your topic, perhaps you should consider the following:

  • why are you interested in this topic?
  • is there something specific you want to address?
  • can you offer a different or a more nuanced interpretation?
  • is there a specific theoretical or methodological perspective that you would like to apply?
  • can you shed more light on specific evidence or detail(s)?
  • review scholarship cited in the footnotes/bibliographies of your readings and see if there are lacunae you can address.

If you stick with a broad topic, you run into the danger of over-generalizing or summarizing existing scholarship, both of which have limited value in contemporary arts and humanities research papers. Summarizing is generally useful for providing background information, as well as for literature reviews. However, it should not constitute the bulk of your paper.

If you select a narrow or a very new topic

If you are interested in something very specific or very new, you may find that little has been written about it. You might even find that the same information gets repeated everywhere, because nothing else is available. Consider this an opportunity for you to do unique research, and think of the following:

  • is there a broader or a related topic that you can investigate in order to circle back and hone in on your chosen topic?
  • can your topic be critically examined within an existing theoretical or methodological framework?
  • are you able to draw on another field of study to investigate your topic?
  • review scholarship cited in the footnotes/bibliographies of the readings. - in other words, engage in citation chaining.
  • if the pertinent readings you find are not scholarly (this is not necessarily a bad thing), evaluate how you can use them to develop a more scholarly and critical context for investigating your topic.

Citing sources

Remember to keep track of your sources, regardless of the stage of your research. The USC Libraries have an excellent guide to citation styles  and to citation management software . 

  • << Previous: General Guide Information
  • Next: What are Primary and Secondary Sources >>
  • Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023 3:12 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/ah_writing

Writing X Humanities

writingxhumanities

A "how to" guide for UC Berkeley writers

writingxhumanities

Doing Research

In the humanities, as in the sciences, research begins with formulating a hypothesis about a subject and “testing” it out by engaging with evidence. But the nature of the evidence, the method of testing, and the kind of knowledge produced in humanities research differ from those in the sciences.

Rather than using quantitative or qualitative evidence as researchers do in the sciences, humanities researchers rely for evidence on their own close readings of primary and secondary texts. Whereas research in the sciences is grounded in the empirical method, humanities research uses a diverse array of methodologies, sometimes combining historical, conceptual, and/or critical methodologies in a single study. And instead of attempting to “prove” their hypotheses once and for all, humanities researchers develop arguments using their hypotheses in order to contribute and extend to ongoing critical conversations. These conversations themselves, one might say, constitute knowledge in the humanities.

Doing research into what has already been written about on your topic will allow you not only to situate your hypothesis within these conversations, but also to come up with questions that haven’t yet been asked. Through critical reading, you can identify gaps in previous writing on your topic and orient your own project to address these gaps if they seem like meaningful oversights. Your aim as a humanities researcher, then, is to develop a fuller understanding of your subject matter in dialogue with other scholars, and thus to move this ongoing conversation forward.

To develop a research question, you might start by making a bulleted list of topics or issues that you might want to pursue, based on your interests and the concerns of your course. When making this list, you should be expansive. Don’t limit yourself: your goal at this stage is to generate ideas, not evaluate them.

Next, you could try free-writing on the themes you see emerging from your list of potential topics. Are there any areas of interest that seem to repeat or echo? Can you start to create umbrella terms? Are you noticing friction within or between some of these concerns? These are just a few of the questions that may lead to a more focused line of investigation.  

Then, see if you can reframe your topic or theme as a research question by asking “How?” or “Why?” Keep in mind that your research question should be debatable and defendable : you may find that other scholars have very different points of view on this question or its answer. This is a good sign, and an invitation for you to step in and contribute to the scholarly discussion.

  Here are some helpful suggestions for broadening, narrowing, or otherwise tweaking a preliminary research topic so that you will be poised to write a well-focused essay.

And here is a concise overview that will guide you on the road to finding your research question . 

To engage fully with your secondary sources, you will need to read critically. But reading sources critically doesn’t necessarily mean disagreeing with them or reading them in a negative way. Rather, it means analyzing the details of an argument-driven piece of popular or scholarly writing that you may ultimately use towards fashioning your own argument. It means asking how these details reflect the assumptions, values, and stakes of the writer’s argument. Reading critically means navigating between doubting and believing what you read. 

When reading critically, we treat what we read less like objective, self-evident data and more like evidence being presented to persuade us of something. Sometimes it’s obvious that what we’re reading is trying to persuade us of something—think of an editorial that takes an explicitly controversial stance or a scholarly article that clearly signposts its position using phrases like “here I argue…” Other texts may make their arguments more subtly or indirectly. But either way, reading critically involves considering how the components and structure of the argument contribute to its actual or intended effect upon the reader.

One approach to reading critically is to investigate a text’s “ way of thinking .” Rather than reading simply for comprehension or information, you can also attend to a text’s claims, contexts, kinds of reasoning, and evidence in order to evaluate the effectiveness of its argument and to think about what you might add to the discussion or redirect it.  

Another approach involves asking questions about the relationship between the parts and the whole of an argument. These questions might address the role of pattern, process, sequence, causality, and other elements of argumentation and structure.

Here are some tips for reading secondary sources and some step-by-step exercises for reading critically.

Since you can’t write an interesting research paper without engaging with other scholars’ ideas, you’ll have to find secondary sources that are accurate and pertinent to your argument.

You’ll almost certainly want to start online, but the internet is an enormously complex—and just plain enormous!—compendium of resources. You can use Wikipedia to check out some basic facts and get some rough background information, but it’s not a reliable, scholarly source–see What’s Wrong With Wikipedia . Likewise, Googling, even using Google Scholar , can only get you so far, since there are valuable scholarly resources out there that are discoverable only by using humanities-specific Web directories ( Voice of the Shuttle , started in 1994, is the granddaddy of all online humanities research directories) and databases ( JSTOR , Project Muse , and the MLA International Bibliography , among others), along with the Berkeley library’s online catalogue .

Before you begin searching in a library catalog or journal database, familiarize yourself with using advanced search functions , such as “Boolean operators” (the basic ones are AND, OR, and NOT), truncation and wildcards (*, !, ?, or #), and keywords and subject headings. Here are some suggestions for coming up with searchable keywords .

You can read many of the sources (especially the articles) that you find through databases entirely online; you’ll need to track down other sources (like most books and book chapters) in the library. Once you’ve found a book in the library, take some time to scan nearby shelves for other books on the same topic that might not have come up in your catalog search. Also scan the bibliographies and footnotes of books and articles you’ve already found: these are great places to find more sources on your topic.

“Good” here means two different things: “good” as in relevant to your topic and useful for the kind of argument you’re making, but also “good” as in scholarly, reputable, and current. 

To determine the usefulness and relevance of a secondary source, begin by skimming it .  If the source at hand is an article, read the abstract. If it doesn’t have an abstract, read the opening paragraph, the section headings, and/or first sentences of a few of the body paragraphs, plus the concluding paragraph. If it is a book, read the blurb on the back cover, the table of contents, and the beginning and ending of the introduction and/or conclusion. From this quick but strategic dip into a secondary source, you should be able to glean something about its overall argument and whether it provides useful material for your own project. 

Remember: don’t discard a scholarly source just because it contradicts what you want to say. Do you disagree with its premises, its use of evidence, or its conclusions? Any of these points of disagreement might provide a foothold for advancing your own argument. Or if a secondary source does not address your primary text directly, does it put forth a theory or provide information that will help you to analyze your text?

Your quick dip into a source may also give you a feel for the quality of its scholarship. But there are also many concrete questions you can ask about a source to evaluate its reliability. What are the credentials of the author? Who is the publisher and the intended audience? When was it published? What sources does it cite? For a more detailed breakdown of ways to evaluate print and online sources, consult one or more of the following (reliable!) resources:

Evaluating Resources (UC Berkeley Library) Quality of Sources (Dartmouth College) Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University Library) Evaluating Web Pages (Cornell University Library) Evaluating Print vs. Internet Sources (Purdue OWL) Interpreting Sources (University of Michigan)

Skimming is a valuable reading technique. It can give you a general sense of what a  text is about, and it can help you to locate key arguments and passages relevant to your own research and writing. Skimming is also useful when you’re short on time. Let’s be honest: skimming is sometimes the only reading you have time to do!

But skimming does not mean speed-reading an entire text; zooming through a whole story or story at breakneck speed is, generally speaking, a waste of your time. Instead, skim strategically. Read the first and last pages of the whole work, and then read the beginning and ending of each chapter. Look for words, especially names, which appear repeatedly, dipping selectively into the text to get a sense of the style and “texture” of the writing.

Scholarly and critical texts, typically used as secondary sources, often have abstracts that give a summary of their main argument, and they also often have section headings, topic sentences, and transitions to guide readers through their discussion. Introductions are good places to look for roadmaps and thesis statements, while conclusions often summarize the whole argument. Focusing on these signposts will help you get the gist of an article or book without reading the whole thing in depth. These techniques are especially useful when your research turns up multiple secondary sources and you need to select the ones most relevant to your own topic. 

You can find some pointers on skimming in this very thorough set of instructions on How to Read a Book . 

Taking notes is an essential part of doing research. Obviously, the notes you take should provide a clear record of what you’ve read. But the very act of note-taking can help you to develop your thinking about your research question and ultimately to use evidence to support your argument.

To help yourself read secondary sources critically, you should take thorough but not overly detailed notes . Make sure to record key terms but don’t write out everything word for word; paraphrase whenever possible to make sure you have a grasp of relevant points; and don’t highlight or underline without also making marginal notes about the significance of the marked words or passages and any questions you might have about them. 

Make sure to include complete bibliographic data with your notes on each source so that you can retrace your steps if you end up needing to go back for more information or to check that you are quoting accurately. There are many different formats for note-taking—in the margins of the text or on Post-Its; on paper or in a Word document—and you’ll need to experiment to figure out what works best for you. You will also need to work out a good system for organizing and reviewing the notes you take. If you are juggling multiple sources, for example, consider using index cards or a citation management software ( Zotero and Mendeley are two popular ones) to organize and annotate your sources. You can even use these programs to generate properly formatted endnotes and Works Cited lists.

You can use your notes as the basis for an annotated bibliography ; here are some additional resources on writing annotated bibliographies.  Even if your instructor does not require you to produce a formal bibliography as a preliminary phase of your research paper, your own notes will still serve as the basis for situating and differentiating your own argument within a field of existing literature. Your notes should help you to take a strong, well-informed, and original stance in your writing. 

Research, like writing, is not a linear process. You will probably begin with a broad topic that will gradually become more focused over the course of your research and writing. You’ll then have to do additional research on this more focused and developed version of your original topic. Remember that the evolution of your topic depends not only on your reading but also on your writing throughout the research process. Such preliminary writing might include producing an annotated bibliography and/or a prospectus, as well as in less formal modes such as freewriting, mind mapping, outlining, and drafting.

The process of researching and refining, and researching and refining again, could go on endlessly, but don’t let it. You have to strike a balance between your responsibility as a researcher—citing and integrating the sources most relevant to your topic (not just the first three sources you find!)—and what is humanly possible. You can’t read every source ever written on your topic, and you shouldn’t. Remember that your goal is to develop and answer your specific research question. When you have a good sense of how your argument fits into the existing conversation, you can stop.

How do you know when enough is enough? Here are some diagnostic questions to help you answer the question: “When Can I Stop Researching?”

It’s not enough to use secondary sources merely for factual or historical information, although this is certainly one thing that sources can do for you. It’s also not enough to simply say “I agree” or “I disagree” with what other scholars have written, although this can be a starting place for developing a tentative research question and even a tentative thesis. Through thoughtful selection of and engagement with secondary sources, you can participate in ongoing critical conversations and even propel them in new directions. (Of course, the initial phases of your attempt to enter one of these conversations might reveal to you that you need to find different or additional sources!)

You might begin by considering how your sources are using their own sources . They probably cite other research to support their own claims (“Yes, and…”), to make a new claim instead (“No, because…”), or acknowledge other arguments in order to show a critical “gap” in the conversation, which their own argument will fill (“Although X and Y, nonetheless Z…”). In turn, you can use the specifics of their critical positioning to situate yourself in the discussion.

There are any number of ways of navigating secondary sources effectively , most of them involving either limited alignment or partial dissent. Some of these modes of engagement include adopting a term, adapting a theory, and changing the question, using moves that might be described as “picking a fight,” “drawing battle lines,” “piggybacking,” “leapfrogging,” and “matchmaking.” Here are two overviews of basic maneuvers and fundamental strategies for using secondary sources to develop an argument.

In order to effectively use your secondary sources to develop an argument, you need to clearly and gracefully integrate material from those sources into your sentences. Whether you paraphrase, quote, or summarize this material, you must fully signpost its relation to your argument, whether via limited alignment or focused dissent. As when you are making an argument about a primary text , you need to ensure that you are analyzing your source rather than leaving it undigested for your reader. Toward that end, there are a few things you should consider when integrating sources:

  • Evaluate whether you need to quote, paraphrase, or summarize . Here are some tips on when and how to   summarize effectively. And here is some advice for determining whether   paraphrasing or quoting will best serve your purposes.
  • When paraphrasing, be sure to do so accurately and fairly . You can practice this skill by doing this quick paraphrasing exercise . Just as when you quote word-for-word from a text, it is crucial to avoid plagiarizing when paraphrasing . For more information on avoiding plagiarism when quoting and paraphrasing, jump to the next section, “How do I responsibly cite my sources and avoid plagiarism?”
  • Always be sure to Introduce, Cite, and Explain (“ICE,”for short) your evidence! Another way that you can ICE your evidence is by “sandwiching ” it between a claim and analysis, much as you would introduce and analyze a primary text.
  • Familiarize yourself with guidelines about when quoting is most effective rhetorically and how to avoid quoting extraneous material . Determine which type of quotation —a block, spliced, or signaled quote—best suits your purposes.
  • Before you submit your essay, be sure to review the   nuts and bolts of integrating source material into your prose, i ncluding using proper punctuation. Bonus: here’s a list of signal verbs and phrases to help you synthesize the words and ideas of other scholars.

Whenever you use language, ideas, or arguments from others, you need to cite them. The Berkeley Campus Student Code of Conduct frames improper citation as a form of academic misconduct —failure to cite one’s sources properly constitutes the theft of intellectual property. Plagiarism can make you subject to penalties ranging from failing an assignment to failing a course. Under some circumstances, suspension or even dismissal from the university may be imposed as a sanction.

Correct citation is not only a matter of personal and scholarly integrity. There’s another important reason to cite the arguments of other scholars who have written on your topic: citing them accurately and fully allows other scholars to track down those sources themselves . . . and it also allows you to check your own work. This practice might be compared to writing a detailed account of your experimental method in the sciences—citation is what gives research in the humanities its “replicability.” In sum, citation allows the scholarly conversation to continue moving forward. 

What counts as plagiarism? It can take a wide variety of forms, not just the act of submitting the work of another person as your own. Copying language directly from a source, like “patch-working” together sentences or paragraphs or ideas from multiple sources, is also plagiarism. And paraphrasing or rewording of sources without attribution can also be considered plagiarism. Even if you discover that a source makes the same point that you made first on your own, you still have to cite it! 

The easiest way to avoid plagiarism? If you’re in doubt about whether or not you should cite something, cite it! Accidental plagiarism is still considered plagiarism and is subject to the same repercussions. Keeping scrupulous notes throughout the research and writing process will help you to remember which ideas and phrasings are your own and which came directly from your sources. 

There are several different formats for citing sources; your instructor will tell you which style—MLA style, Chicago, style etc.—to use. For more details on MLA style, the most common citation format in the humanities, try the Purdue OWL or The MLA Style Center .

There is a wealth of resources–guides, grants, mentoring, awards, and more–for undergraduate research across the humanities at UC Berkeley. Here are some of the best-known ones, though you may be able to find others under the auspices of specific departments or programs.

You can begin searching for materials through the Library Guide to Research , which is organized by discipline or area of study. You can also find here the contact information for the particular UC Berkeley librarian who is an expert on research offerings in each subject area, and who can guide you to these resources. There are many research databases and subject-specific guides listed here under each heading. One that you won’t find listed there, A Guide to the Archive Resources of the Bay Area , lists some of the primary research offerings at UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library and other university archives around the Bay. 

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships (OURS) is a clearing house for information about university-wide research grants and mentoring programs across the disciplines including the Haas Scholars Program , Student Mentoring and Research Teams (SMART), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), Underrepresented Researchers of Color (UROC), and Undergraduate Research Apprentices Project (URAP). They have databases with information about many other internal and external grants and programs, as well as offering help with finding and applying for these. Don’t forget to check with individual departments for major-specific prizes. UC Berkeley’s English Department, for example, offers travel grants for undergraduates to attend conferences and to do research at archives elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. 

When your research is done or close to being finished (the submission deadline is in mid-April!), you should consider applying for the Library Prize for Undergraduate Research . 

For additional materials, go to  Teaching Research  in the  For Instructors  section of this website.

humanities topics for research paper

Writing in Humanities: Do’s and Don’ts for Researchers

Writing in Humanities: Do’s and Don’ts for researchers

Academic writing in humanities plays a pivotal role in advancing the field and disseminating new ideas to a diverse global audience. With readers from various cultures and first languages, effective writing in humanities and sociology requires clarity, convention, and a structure that supports reader comprehension. To help researchers make their mark in influential international journals, we present five essential dos and five critical don’ts of effective academic writing in humanities and sociology to help researchers create a lucid narrative and showcase concepts that can strengthen your argument.

5 Dos to keep in mind when writing in humanities

Maintain focus on the problem statement.

When writing in humanities, remember to clearly state the aim of the study and the problem statement in the introduction, and refer back to this in later sections so that readers do not stray away from the key message.

Present relevant, interesting original work

Leading international journals will only publish work that is original and fills gaps in our current understanding. So, choose the topic of your research carefully to ensure your work is novel, relevant, and interesting.

Write in clear, concise, simple language

When writing in humanities, it’s always helpful to use short sentences that convey your message in a clear, easy-to-understand way. While you may be tempted to use technical jargon, steer clear of complex terms and convoluted phrases that can be confusing or even misleading for your audience.

Be aware of the target journal’s scope

Some journals focus on a certain aspect of the subject, while others publish work from related fields like anthropology, psychology, economics, political studies, and history. So, when writing in humanities, keep in mind the target journal’s scope, audience, and ensure your research can be understood by non-academics or peers from other fields.

Make your Abstract impactful and discoverable

Abstracts are perhaps the most important part of your manuscript and must be crafted with a lot of thought. Typically, keywords from the Abstract and research paper title are used to drive its success on search engines so use at least one phrase to indicate your problem statement, the methodological approach used and why it is important for readers and understand.

5 Don’ts when writing in humanities

Not including visuals to break the monotony of text.

Visuals are a great way to convey complex concepts at a glance, but these should be designed to clearly communicate ideas, without needing to refer to body text. Avoid complicated or ambiguous visuals, use high-definition images, include captions and legends, provide abbreviations and symbols where required, and appropriately cite copyrights, sources, or permissions.

Not adhering to ethical reporting guidelines

Academic writing in humanities often include human subjects, which requires appropriate permissions, ethical reporting, data sharing, and author identification. Adherence to the standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and the ASA’s Code of Ethics on informed consent is considered mandatory; neglecting to follow these ethical guidelines can be cause for manuscript rejection.

Not paying attention to analyses of results

Most reputed journals require authors to include an analysis of the study in the Discussion section; it is not enough to merely mention the validity of findings. This is a common reason for journal rejection among early career academics, who detail their findings and state the methods and approach but overlook this aspect in their humanities research paper.

Not addressing the limitations of the study

Humanities and sociology involve the study of human society and culture, with all its diversity and complexities. This makes it crucial to mention the limitations of your study in the final paragraphs of your humanities research paper to help readers understand the study’s purpose in the context of existing relevant international literature. Provide a brief summary of the issues you addressed, the restrictions your report uncovered, and how your research can benefit future studies in the field.

Not mentioning the impact and applications

Researchers aspire to conduct studies that are relevant and positively impacts our world, so when writing in humanities, highlight the value of your work. It is essential to explain why your study is relevant to readers and how it directly connects with existing themes and concepts. Highlighting your study’s potential applications, relevance and contribution allows readers to analyze your work from specific perspectives and understand its significance in the broader context.

Don’t miss the chance to learn more on how to write a good humanities research paper , where the writing style, structure, and presentation differs from other disciplines. And when you are writing in humanities, remember to write simply and clearly to connect with a diverse audience. By following the dos and avoiding the don’ts mentioned above, researchers writing in humanities can elevate their manuscripts, engage their readers, and leave a lasting impact on the field. Happy writing!

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The discipline of the humanities is considered more rational than the study of the social sciences. The humanities are a scientific discipline that includes the customs, heritage, culture, and values of the community and call into question the factors that make a person human. It includes topics such as religion, primitive languages, history, modern languages, performing arts, law, and philosophy.

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  • Published: 09 September 2024

Navigating post-pandemic challenges through institutional research networks and talent management

  • Muhammad Zada   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0466-4229 1 , 2 ,
  • Imran Saeed 3 ,
  • Jawad Khan   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6673-7617 4 &
  • Shagufta Zada 5 , 6  

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications volume  11 , Article number:  1164 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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  • Business and management

Institutions actively seek global talent to foster innovation in the contemporary landscape of scientific research, education, and technological progress. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of international collaboration as researchers and academicians faced limitations in accessing labs and conducting research experiments. This study uses a research collaboration system to examine the relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance. Further, this study underscores the moderating role of top management support. Using a time-lagged study design, data were collected from 363 participants in academic and research institutions. The results show a positive relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system. Moreover, top management support positively moderates the study’s hypothesized relationships. The study’s findings contribute significantly to existing knowledge in this field, with implications for academia, researchers, and government focused on technology transmission, talent management, research creative collaboration, supporting innovation, scientific research, technological progress, and preparing for future challenges.

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Introduction.

Global talent management and the talent hunt within research and educational institutions have become extensively discussed topics in international human resource management (HRM) (Al et al., 2022 ). Global talent management is intricately connected to the notion of finding, managing, and facilitating the fetch of research, skills, techniques, and knowledge among team members and progress in education and technology (Kwok, 2022 ; Sommer et al., 2017 ). This topic assumes a greater position when it is looked at through the lens of research, academicians, and educational institutions serving as a means of achieving scientific and technological advancement and performance (Kaliannan et al., 2023 ; Patnaik et al., 2022 ). Effective knowledge management and transfer occur between teams engaged in cross-border research collaborations (Davenport et al., 2002 ; Fasi, 2022 ). Effective team management, global talent recruitment, and the exchange of scientific knowledge across national boundaries face different challenges due to the swift growth of economic and political fanaticism. This is particularly evident in advanced economies that rely heavily on knowledge-based industries (Vaiman et al., 2018 ). Research and educational sectors are encountering significant challenges in effectively hunting and managing international talent, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which approximately half of the global workforce faced the possibility of job loss (Almeida et al., 2020 ; Radhamani et al., 2021 ). Due to the implementation of lockdown measures by governments, many research intuitions are facing significant issues, and the pandemic has changed the situation; work was stuck, and scientists around the globe are thinking to be prepared for this kind of situation, which is possible through the use scientific research collaboration platforms. These platforms serve as a means to exchange research and knowledge, which is crucial in the talent hunt and management (Haak-Saheem, 2020 ). In the situation above, wherein limitations exist regarding the exchange of research and knowledge within the institutions, it becomes imperative for the top management of institutions to incentivize employees to engage the team in knowledge sharing actively and achieve team-level scientific and technological advancement. It can be achieved by implementing a research collaboration system that facilitates knowledge exchange and contributes to effective talent hunt and management (Haider et al., 2022 ; Xu et al., 2024 ).

A research collaboration network is a tool for scientific and technological advancement and talent management encompassing various processes and practices to facilitate the sharing, integration, translation, and transformation of scientific knowledge (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ). During and after the COVID-19 era characterized by travel restrictions, research networking platforms serve as valuable tools for students and researchers located in variance regions to engage in the exchange of research knowledge and achieve team-level scientific and technological advancement (Yang et al., 2024 ). Enhancing intellectual capital (IC) within the organizations is imperative within this framework (Pellegrini et al., 2022 ; Vătămănescu et al., 2023 ). Intellectual capital (IC) is the intangible assets owned by an organization that has the potential to generate value (Stewart, 1991 ). An organization’s intellectual capital (IC) includes human and structural capital (Marinelli et al., 2022 ). According to Vătămănescu et al. ( 2023 ), the organization can effectively manage the skills and abilities of its team members across different countries by properly utilizing both human and structural capital and establishing a strong research collaboration system with the help of top management support. This capability remains intact even during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study emphasizes the importance of talent hunt and management within research and educational institutions in the post-COVID-19 pandemic because of every country’s following implementation of lockdown measures. Our study focuses on the implication of facilitating the exchange of research, knowledge, and techniques among team members during and after this period. The effective way to share research expertise and techniques in such a scenario is through a research collaboration network (O’Dwyer et al., 2023 ).

While previous research has extensively explored talent management in various industries (Al Ariss, Cascio, & Paauwe, 2014 ; Susanto, Sawitri, Ali, & Rony, 2023 ), a noticeable gap exists in the body of knowledge regarding the discussion of global talent acquisition and management within research and academic institutions, particularly within volatile environments and about scientific and technological advancements (Harsch & Festing, 2020 ). The objective of this research is to fill this research gap.1) To investigate the strategies of how research and educational institutions hunt and manage gobble talent. 2)To analyze the impact of human and structural capital and team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system. 3) To examine the moderating effect of top management support on the IC to use the research collation network among institution research teams and scientific and technological performance.

In addition, current research contributes significantly to the literature by elucidating the pivotal role of organizational intellectual capital in strengthening scientific and technological performance through research collaborative networks. This study advances our grip on how internal resources drive innovation and research outcomes by empirically demonstrating the positive association between human and structural capital and team-level scientific and technological performance. Furthermore, the current study highlights the moderating effect of top management support, suggesting that management commitment can amplify the benefits of intellectual capital (human and structural capital). These results show a subtle perspective on how organizations can influence their intellectual assets to foster higher levels of productivity and innovation. The study’s theoretical contributions lie in integrating resource-based views and organizational theory with performance metrics, while its practical implications provide actionable insights for institutions aiming to optimize their intellectual resources and management practices. This research also sets the stage for future inquiries into the dynamics of intellectual capital and management support in various collaborative contexts.

Research theories, literature review, and hypotheses development

Research theories.

The focus of the current study pertains to the challenges surrounding talent management within institutions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic(Fernandes et al., 2023 ). Global talent management is intently linked to the objective of enhancing the intellectual capital of the organization (Zada et al., 2023 ). Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised much more attention toward scientific and technological advancement, the academic sector has noticed an observable shift towards utilizing research collaboration platforms to share scientific knowledge effectively and achieve scientific and technological performance. Intellectual capital encompasses five distinct resource categories, as identified by Roos and Roos ( 1997 ), comprising three immaterial and two touchable resources. Intangible resources such as human capital, structural capital, and customer capital are complemented by tangible resources, encompassing monetary and physical assets. Global talent management encompasses human and structural capital management (Felin & Hesterly, 2007 ). The enhancement of talent management capabilities within the institution can be achieved by cultivating institution-specific competencies in both human and structural capital (Al Ariss et al., 2014 ). This concept lines up with the theoretical background of the resource-based view (RBV) theory presented by Barney ( 1991 ). According to this theory, organizations should prioritize examining their core resources to recognize valuable assets, competencies, and capabilities that can contribute to attaining a sustainable competitive advantage (Barney, 1991 ).

During and after the COVID-19 scenario, virtual platforms are utilized by institutions to engage students and staff abroad in research and knowledge exchange, which is part of global talent management. Staff possessing adequate knowledge repositories will likely participate in knowledge exchange activities. Therefore, organizations must improve their internal resources to enhance talent management, as per the fundamental principle of the RBV theory (Barney, 1991 ). Enhancing internal resources entails strengthening an organization’s human capital, which refers to its staff’s scientific research and technical skills and knowledge and structural capital. Strengthening these two resources can facilitate the institution in effectively sharing knowledge through a research collaboration platform, consequently enhancing their global talent management endeavors and contributing to the team’s scientific and technological performance.

In this research, we also utilize institutional theory (Oliver, 1997 ) and Scott ( 2008 ) as a framework to examine the utilization of research collaboration social platforms by faculty of institutions. Our focus is on exchanging research and technical knowledge within the climate of global talent management during and after the COVID-19 epidemic. According to Scott ( 2008 ), “Institutional theory is a widely recognized theoretical framework emphasizing rational myths, isomorphism, and legitimacy (p. 78)”. For electronic data interchange, the theory has been utilized in technology adoption research (Damsgaard, Lyytinen ( 2001 )) and educational institutes (J. et al., 2007 ). In the pandemic situation, institutional theory provides researchers with a framework to analyze the motivations of employees within institutions to engage in teams to achieve team-level scientific and technological performance through a research collaboration system. According to institutional theory, organizations should utilize a research collaboration network to ensure that their staff do not need to compromise their established norms, values, and expectations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous countries implemented limitations on international movement as a preventive measure. Consequently, there has been a growing identification of the potential importance of utilizing an institutional research collaboration platform for facilitating the online exchange of knowledge, skills, research techniques, and global talent management among employees of institutions operating across various countries. The active support of staff by the top management of an institution can play a key role in expediting the implementation of social networks for research collaboration within the institution (Zada et al., 2023 ).

Literature review

An institution’s scientific and technological advancement is contingent upon optimal resource utilization (Muñoz et al., 2022 ). Global talent hunt and management encompasses utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT) to provide a way for the exchange of research knowledge and techniques, thereby enabling the implementation of knowledge-based strategies (Muñoz et al., 2022 ). In a high research-level turbulent environment, it becomes imperative to effectively manage human capital (HUC) to facilitate the appropriate exchange of research knowledge and techniques (Salamzadeh, Tajpour, Hosseini, & Brahmi, 2023 ). Research shows that transferring research knowledge and techniques across national boundaries, exchanging best practices, and cultivating faculty skills are crucial factors in maintaining competitiveness (Farahian, Parhamnia, & Maleki, 2022 ; Shao & Ariss, 2020 ).

It is widely acknowledged in scholarly literature that there is a prevailing belief among individuals that talent possesses movability and that research knowledge and techniques can be readily transferred (Bakhsh et al., 2022 ; Council, 2012 ). However, it is essential to note that the matter is more complex than it may initially appear (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ). The proliferation of political and economic nationalism in developed knowledge-based economies poses a significant risk to exchanging research knowledge and techniques among faculty members in research and educational institutions worldwide (Arocena & Sutz, 2021 ). During and after COVID-19, knowledge transfer can be effectively facilitated by utilizing a research collaboration network platform (Duan & Li, 2023 ; Sulaiman et al., 2022 ). This circumstance is noticeable within the domain of international research and development, wherein academic professionals have the opportunity to utilize research collaboration platforms as a means of disseminating valuable research knowledge and techniques to their counterparts in various nations (Jain et al., 2022 ).

The scientific and technological advancement of institutions linked by intuition research and development level and research and development depend on the intuition’s quality of research, knowledge, and management (Anshari & Hamdan, 2022 ). However, there is a need to enhance the research team’s capacity to learn and transfer research knowledge and techniques effectively. Research suggests that institutional human capital (HUC) is critical in managing existing resources and hunting international talent, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic (Sigala, Ren, Li, & Dioko, 2023 ). Human capital refers to the combined implicit and crystal clear knowledge of employees within an institution and their techniques and capabilities to effectively apply this knowledge to achieve scientific and technological advancements (Al-Tit et al., 2022 ). According to Baron and Armstrong ( 2007 ) Human capital refers to the abilities, knowledge, techniques, skills, and expertise of individuals, particularly research team members, that are relevant to the current task.

Furthermore, HUC encompasses the scope of individuals who can contribute to this reservoir of research knowledge, techniques, and expertise through individual learning. As the literature shows, the concept of IC encompasses the inclusion of structural capital (STC), which requires fortification through the implementation of a proper global talent acquisition and management system (Pak et al., 2023 ; Phan et al., 2020 ). STC encompasses various mechanisms to enhance an institution’s performance and productivity (Barpanda, 2021 ). STC is extensively acknowledged as an expedited framework for HUC, as discussed by Bontis ( 1998 ) and further explored by Gogan, Duran, and Draghici ( 2015 ). During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, a practical approach to global talent management involves leveraging research collaboration network platforms to facilitate knowledge exchange among research teams (Arslan et al., 2021 ). However, the crucial involvement of top management support is imperative to effectively manage talent by utilizing research collaboration network platforms for knowledge transfer (Zada et al., 2023 ). Nevertheless, the existing body of knowledge needs to adequately explore the topic of talent management about knowledge transfer on research collaboration platforms, particularly in the context of institution-active management support (Tan & Md. Noor, 2013 ).

Conceptual model and research hypothesis

By analyzing pertinent literature and theoretical frameworks, we have identified the factors influencing staff intention in research and academic institutions to utilize research collaboration networks after the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve scientific and technical performance. This study aims to explain the determinants. Additionally, this study has considered the potential influence of top management support as a moderator on the associations between education and research institution staff intention on IC to utilize research collaboration platforms in the post-COVID-19 era and predictors. Through this discourse, we shall generate several hypotheses to serve as the basis for constructing a conceptual model (see Fig. 1 ).

figure 1

Relationships between study variables: human capital, structural capital, top management support, and team scientific and technological performance. Source: authors’ development.

Human capital and team scientific and technological performance

According to Dess and Picken ( 2000 ), HUC encompasses individuals’ capabilities, knowledge, skills, research techniques, and experience, including staff and supervisors, relevant to the specific task. Human capital also refers to the ability to pay to this reservoir of knowledge, techniques, and expertize through individual learning (Dess & Picken, 2000 ). HUC refers to the combinations of characteristics staff possess, including but not limited to research proficiency, technical aptitude, business acumen, process comprehension, and other similar competencies (Kallmuenzer et al., 2021 ). The HUC is considered an institutional repository of knowledge, as Bontis and Fitz‐enz ( 2002 ) indicated, with its employees serving as representatives. The concept of HUC refers to the combined abilities, research proficiency, and competencies that individuals possess to address and resolve operational challenges within an institutional setting (Barpanda, 2021 ; Yang & Xiangming, 2024 ). The human capital possessed by institutions includes crucial attributes that allow organizations to acquire significant internal resources that are valuable, difficult to replicate, scarce, and cannot be substituted. It aligns with the theoretical framework of the RBV theory, as suggested by Barney ( 1991 ). IC is extensively recognized as a main factor in revitalizing organizational strategy and promoting creativity and innovation. It is crucial to enable organizations to acquire and effectively disseminate knowledge among their employees, contribute to talent management endeavors, and achieve scientific and technological performance (Alrowwad et al., 2020 ; He et al., 2023 ). Human capital is linked to intrinsic aptitude, cognitive capabilities, creative problem-solving, exceptional talent, and the capacity for originality (Bontis & Fitz‐enz, 2002 ). In talent management, there is a focus on enhancing scientific and technological performance and development. According to Shao and Ariss ( 2020 ), HUC is expected to strengthen employee motivation to utilize research collaboration networks for scientific knowledge-sharing endeavors. Based on these arguments, we proposed that.

Hypothesis 1 Human capital (HUC) positively impacts team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system.

Structural capital and team scientific and technological Performance

According to Mehralian, Nazari, and Ghasemzadeh ( 2018 ) structural capital (STC) encompasses an organization’s formalized knowledge assets. It consists of the structures and mechanisms employed by the institution to enhance its talent management endeavors. The concept of STC is integrated within the framework of institutions’ programs, laboratory settings, and databases (Cavicchi & Vagnoni, 2017 ). The significance of an organization’s structural capital as an internal tangible asset that bolsters its human capital has been recognized by scholars such as Secundo, Massaro, Dumay, and Bagnoli ( 2018 ), and This concept also lines up with the RBV theory (J. Barney, 1991 ). The strategic assets of an organization encompass its capabilities, organizational culture, patents, and trademarks (Gogan et al., 2015 ).

Furthermore, Birasnav, Mittal, and Dalpati ( 2019 ) Suggested that these strategic assets promote high-level organizational performance, commonly called STC. Literature shows that STC encompasses an organization’s collective expertise and essential knowledge that remains intact even when employees depart (Alrowwad et al., 2020 ; Mehralian et al., 2018 ; Sarwar & Mustafa, 2023 ). The institution’s socialization, training, and development process facilitates the transfer of scientific research knowledge, skills, and expertise to its team (Arocena & Sutz, 2021 ; Marchiori et al., 2022 ). The STC is broadly recognized as having important potential and is a highly productive resource for generating great value. STC motivates its team member to share expertise with their counterparts at subordinate organizations by utilizing an institution’s research collaboration network and achieving team-level scientific and technological performance. This method remains effective even in challenging environments where traditional means of data collection, face-to-face meetings, and travel are not feasible (Secundo et al., 2016 ). In light of the above literature and theory, we propose the following hypothesis.

Hypothesis 2: Structural capital (STC) positively impacts team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system.

Top management support as a moderator

If the relationship between two constructs is not constant, the existence of a third construct can potentially affect this relationship by enhancing or diminishing its strength. In certain cases, the impact of a third construct can adjust the trajectory of the relationship between two variables. The variable in question is commonly called the “moderating variable.” According to Zada et al. ( 2023 ), top management support to leaders efficiently encourages team members within institutions to share research scientific knowledge with their counterparts in different countries through international research collaboration systems. Similarly, another study shows that the active endorsement of the top management significantly affects the development of direct associations, thereby influencing the team and organization’s overall performance (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ; Phuong et al., 2024 ). Different studies have confirmed that top management support is crucial in fostering a conducive knowledge-sharing environment by offering necessary resources (Ali et al., 2021 ; Lee et al., 2016 ; Zada et al., 2023 ). During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, numerous nations implemented nonessential travel restrictions and lockdown measures. In the given context, utilizing a research collaboration system would effectively facilitate the exchange of research, skills, and knowledge among staff belonging to various subsidiaries of an institution (Rådberg & Löfsten, 2024 ; Rasheed et al., 2024 ). However, it is common for researchers to exhibit resistance to adopting a novel research technique, often citing various justifications for their reluctance. To address the initial hesitance of employees at subsidiary institutes towards utilizing research collaborative networking within the institute, top management must employ strategies that foster motivation, encouragement, and incentives. These measures help create an atmosphere where team members feel empowered to engage with the new system freely. Institutional theory asserts that top management support is crucial for aligning talent management with institutional norms. Human and structural capital, pivotal within the institutional framework, contributes to an institution’s capacity to attract and retain talent, enhancing legitimacy. Adaptation to scientific and technological advancements is imperative for international institutional competitiveness, as institutional theory dictates (Oliver, 1997 ). Grounded on the above discussion, we have hypothesized.

Hypothesis 3a : Top management support moderates the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance. Specifically, this relationship will be stronger for those with higher top management support and weaker for those with lower top management support.

Hypothesis 3b : Top management support moderates the relationship between structural capital (STC) and team scientific and technological performance through the use of research collaboration network platforms. Specifically, this relationship will be stronger for those with higher top management support and weaker for those with lower top management support.

Methods data and sample

Sample and procedures.

To test the proposed model, we collected data from respondents in China’s research and academic sector in three phases to mitigate standard method variance (Podsakoff, MacKenzie, Lee, & Podsakoff, 2003 ). In the first phase (T1-phase), respondents rated human capital, structural capital, and demographic information. After one month, respondents rated the team’s scientific and technological performance in the second phase (T2-phase). Following another one-month interval, respondents were asked to rate top management support in the third phase (T3-phase). In the first phase, after contacting 450 respondents, we received 417 usable questionnaires (92.66%). In the second phase, we received 403 usable questionnaires. In the third phase, we received 363 usable questionnaires (90.07%), constituting our final sample for interpreting the results. The sample comprises 63.4% male and 36.6% female respondents. The age distribution of the final sample was as follows: 25–30 years old (6.6%), 31–35 years old (57%), 36–40 years old (19.8%), and above 40 years old (16.5%). Regarding respondents’ experience, 45.7% had 1–5 years, 39.4% had 6–10 years, 11.3% had 11–15 years, and 3.6% had over 16 years. According to the respondents’ levels of education, 4.1% had completed bachelor’s degrees, 11.6% had earned master’s degrees, 78.8% were doctorate (PhD) scholars, and 5.5% were postdoctoral and above.

Measurement

To measure the variables, the current study adopted a questionnaire from previous literature, and age, gender, education, and experience were used as control variables. A five-point Likert scale was used (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Human capital (HUC) was measured through an eight-item scale adopted by Kim, Atwater, Patel, and Smither ( 2016 ). The sample item is “The extent to which human capital of research and development department is competitive regarding team performance”. The self-reported scale developed by Nezam, Ataffar, Isfahani, and Shahin ( 2013 ) was adopted to measure structural capital. The scale consists of seven items. The sample scale item is “My organization emphasizes IT investment.” In order to measure top management support, a six-item scale was developed by Singh, Gupta, Busso, and Kamboj ( 2021 ), was adopted, and sample item includes “Sufficient incentives were provided by top management (TM) for achieving scientific and technological performance.” Finlay, the self-reported scale developed by Gonzalez-Mulé, Courtright, DeGeest, Seong, and Hong ( 2016 ) was adopted to gauge team scientific and technological performance and scales items are four. The sample item is “This team achieves its goals.”

Assessment of measurement model

In the process of employing AMOS for analysis, the initial step encompasses an assessment of the model to determine the strength and validity of the study variables. The evaluation of variable reliability conventionally revolves around two key aspects, which are indicator scale reliability and internal reliability. More precisely, indicator reliability is deemed to be recognized when factor loadings exceed the threshold of 0.60. In parallel, internal consistency reliability is substantiated by the attainment of values exceeding 0.70 for both Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability, aligning with well-established and recognized guidelines (Ringle et al., 2020 ).

To gauge the reliability of construct indicators, we utilized two key metrics which are composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE). The CR values for all variables were notably high, exceeding 0.70 and falling within the range of 0.882 to 0.955. This signifies a robust level of reliability for the indicators within each construct. Furthermore, the AVE values, which indicate convergent validity, exceeded the minimum threshold of 0.50, with each construct value varying from 0.608 to 0.653, thus affirming the presence of adequate convergent validity.

In addition to assessing convergent validity, we also examined discriminant validity by scrutinizing the cross-loadings of indicators on the corresponding variables and the squared correlations between constructs and AVE values. Our findings indicated that all measures exhibited notably stronger loadings on their intended constructs, thereby underscoring the measurement model’s discriminant validity.

Discriminant validity was recognized by observing average variance extracted (AVE) values that exceeded the squared correlations between constructs, as indicated in Table 1 . In conjunction with the Composite Reliability (CR) and AVE values, an additional discriminant validity assessment was conducted through a Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT) analysis. This analysis entailed a comparison of inter-construct correlations against a predefined upper threshold of 0.85. The results demonstrated that all HTMT values remained significantly below this threshold, affirming satisfactory discriminant validity for each variable (Henseler et al., 2015 ). Every HTMT value recorded was situated beneath the specified threshold, thereby supplying supplementary confirmation regarding the constructs’ discriminant validity. In summary, the results of the outer model assessment indicate that the variables showcased commendable levels of reliability and validity, with the discriminant validity being suitably and convincingly established.

Moreover, correlation Table 2 shows that human capital is significantly and positively correlated with structural capital ( r  = 0.594**), TMS ( r  = 0.456 **), and STP ( r  = 0.517**). Structural capital is also significantly and positively correlated with TMS ( r  = 0.893**) and STP ( r  = 0.853**). Furthermore, TMS is significantly and positively correlated with STP (0.859**).

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)

A comprehensive confirmatory factor analysis was estimated by employing the software AMOS version 24 to validate the distinctiveness of the variables. CFA shows the fitness of the hypothesized four factors model, including human capital, structural capital, top management support, and team scientific and technological performance, as delineated in Table 3 ; the results show that the hypothesized four-factor model shows fit and excellent alternative models. Consequently, The study variables demonstrate validity and reliability, which makes the dimension model appropriate for conducting a structural path analysis, as advocated by Hair, Page, and Brunsveld ( 2019 ).

Hypotheses testing

This study used the bootstrapping approach, which involves 5,000 bootstrap samples to test the proposed study model and assess the significance and strength of the structural correlations. Using this approach, bias-corrected confidence intervals and p-values were generated in accordance with Streukens and Leroi-Werelds ( 2016 ) guidelines. First, we did an analysis that entailed checking the path coefficients and their connected significance. The findings, as shown in Table 4 , validate Hypothesis 1, revealing a positive correlation between HUC and STP ( β  = 0.476, p  < 0.001). Additionally, the finding validates Hypothesis 2, highlighting a positive association between structural capital and STP ( β  = 0.877, p  < 0.001). For the moderation analysis, we utilized confidence intervals that do not encompass zero, per the guidelines that Preacher and Hayes ( 2008 ) recommended.

In our analysis, we found support for Hypothesis 3a, which posited that top management support (TMS) moderates the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). The results in Table 4 showed that the moderating role, more precisely, the interaction between HUC and TMS, was substantial and positive ( β  = −0.131, p  = 0.001). These results suggest that TMS enhances the positive association between HUC and STP, as shown in Fig. 2 . Consequently, we draw the conclusion that our data substantiates hypothesis 3a. Furthermore, Hypothesis 3b posited that TMS moderates the relationship between STC and STP. The results indicate that TMS moderates the association between STC and STP ( β  = −0.141, p  = 0.001, as presented in Table 4 and Fig. 3 ).

figure 2

The moderating effect of top management support (TMS) on the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). Source: authors’ development.

figure 3

The moderating effect of top management support (TMS) on the relationship between structural capital (SUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). Source: authors’ development.

The current study highlights the importance of research and academic institutions effectively enhancing their scientific and technological capabilities to manage their global talent within an international research collaboration framework and meet future challenges. Additionally, it underscores the need for these institutions to facilitate scientific knowledge exchange among their employees and counterparts in different countries. The enhancement of talent management through the exchange of scientific research knowledge can be most effectively accomplished by utilizing a collaborative research system between educational and research institutions (Shofiyyah et al., 2023 ), particularly in the context of the COVID-19 landscape. This study has confirmed that enhancing the higher education and research institutions’ human capital (HUC) and structural capital (STC) could attract and maintain global talent management and lead to more effective scientific and technological progress. The findings indicate that the utilization of human capital (HUC) has a significant and positive effect on scientific and technological term performance (STP) (Hypothesis 1), which is consistent with previous research (Habert & Huc, 2010 ). This study has additionally demonstrated that the implementation of s tructural capital (STC) has a significant and positive effect on team scientific and technological performance (STP), as indicated by hypothesis 2, which is also supported by the previous studies finding in different ways (Sobaih et al., 2022 ). This study has also shown that top management support moderates the association between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance hypothesis 3a and the association between structural capital (STC) and team scientific and technological performance hypothesis 3b. These hypotheses have garnered support from previous studies’ findings in different domains (Chatterjee et al., 2022 ). The study’s empirical findings also confirm the substantial moderating influence exerted by top management support on the relationships between HUC and STP described in hypothesis 3a and STC and STP described in hypothesis 3b, as evidenced by the results presented in Table 4 . Additionally, graphical representations are conducted to investigate the impacts on hypotheses 3a and 3b resulting from the application of high-top management support (TMS) and weak TMS.

The effect of high-top management support (TMS) and weak TMS on Hypothesis 3a is depicted in Fig. 2 . The solid line illustrates the effects of robust TMS on Hypothesis 3a, while the dashed line shows the effects of weak TMS on Hypothesis 3a. The graphic description validates that, as human capital (HUC) increases, team scientific and technological performance (STP) is more pronounced when influenced by robust TMS than weak TMS. This is evidenced by the steeper slope of the solid line in comparison to the dashed line. This finding suggests that employees within the research and academic sectors are more likely to utilize research collaboration networks when influenced by HUC and receive strong support from the organization’s top management.

The graph in Fig. 3 shows the impact of solid top management support (TMS) and weak TMS on Hypothesis 3b. The dotted lines continuous on the graph correspond to the effects of robust TMS and weak TMS, respectively. Figure 3 illustrates that, with increasing top management support (TMS), scientific and technological performance (STP) increase is more significant for robust TMS than weak TMS. This is evident from the steeper slope of the continuous line compared to the slope of the dotted line. This finding suggests that employees within universities and institutes are more likely to engage in research collaboration systems when they receive strong support from top management despite enhanced structural support.

Theoretical contribution

The current study makes significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the intricate dynamics between organizational intellectual capital and team performance within scientific and technological research, especially during the unprecedented times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its detailed examination of human and structural capital, alongside the moderating impact of top management support, the study provides a multi-faceted understanding of how these factors interact to enhance team outcomes.

This research enriches the literature on intellectual capital by providing empirical evidence on the positive association between HUC and STC and team performance. HUC, which includes employees’ skills, knowledge, and expertise, is a critical driver of innovation and productivity (Lenihan et al., 2019 ). The study highlights how a team’s collective intelligence and capabilities can lead to superior scientific and technological outputs. This finding aligns with and extends previous research that underscores the importance of skilled HR in achieving organizational success (Luo et al., 2023 ; Salamzadeh et al., 2023 ). Structural capital, encompassing organizational processes, databases, and intellectual property, contributes significantly to team performance(Ling, 2013 ). The study illustrates how well-established structures and systems facilitate knowledge sharing, streamline research processes, and ultimately boost the efficiency and effectiveness of research teams. This aspect of the findings adds depth to the existing literature by demonstrating the tangible benefits of investing in robust organizational infrastructure to support research activities.

Another essential contribution of this study is integrating a research collaboration network as a facilitating factor. This network, including digital platforms and tools that enable seamless communication and collaboration among researchers, has become increasingly vital in remote work and global collaboration (Mitchell, 2023 ). By examining how these systems leverage HUC and STC to enhance team performance, the study provides a practical understanding of the mechanisms through which technology can facilitate team scientific and technological performance.

One of the most novel contributions of this study is its emphasis on the moderating role of top management support. The findings suggest that when top management actively supports research initiatives, provides required resources, and fosters innovation, the positive effects of human and structural capital on team performance are amplified (Zada et al., 2023 ). This aspect of the study addresses a gap in the literature by highlighting the critical influence of top management on the success of intellectual capital investments. It underscores the importance of managerial involvement and strategic vision in driving research excellence and team scientific and technological performance.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the current study are weightage for organizations aiming to enhance their research and innovation capabilities and boost their scientific and technical progress. Organizations should prioritize recruiting, training, and retaining highly skilled and trained researchers and professionals globally. This can be achieved through targeted hiring practices, offering competitive compensation and retention, providing continuous professional development opportunities, and developing proper research collaboration networks. Organizations can leverage their expertize to drive innovative research and technological advancements by nurturing a global, talented workforce. Investing in robust organizational structures, processes, and systems is critical (Joseph & Gaba, 2020 ). This includes developing comprehensive databases, implementing efficient research processes, securing intellectual property, and strengthening collaborations. These factors support efficient knowledge sharing and streamline research activities, leading to higher productivity and quality research outcomes (Azeem et al., 2021 ). Organizations should ensure that their infrastructure is adaptable and can support remote and collaborative work environments.

The current study emphasizes the importance of digital platforms and tools facilitating research collaboration. Organizations should adopt advanced research collaboration networks that enable seamless communication, data sharing, and talent management. These systems are particularly crucial in a globalized research environment where team members may be geographically dispersed. Investing in such technology can significantly enhance research projects’ productivity in a sustainable way (Susanto et al., 2023 ). Top Management plays a vital role in the success of research initiatives and contributes to scientific and technological performance. Top management should actively support research teams by providing required resources, setting clear strategic directions, and fostering a culture of innovation. This includes allocating budgets for organizational research and development, encouraging cross-border collaboration, recognizing and rewarding research achievements, and enhancing overall performance. Effective Management ensures that the intellectual capital within the organization is fully utilized and aligned with organizational developmental goals (Paoloni et al., 2020 ). Organizations should create a working atmosphere that encourages research, creativity, and innovation. This can be done by establishing innovation labs, promoting interdisciplinary research, recruiting international talents, sharing research scholars, and encouraging the sharing of ideas across different departments globally. A research-oriented culture that supports innovation can inspire researchers to pursue groundbreaking work and contribute to the organization’s competitive edge.

Limitations and future research direction

The research presents numerous theoretical and practical implications; however, it has. The potential limitation of common method bias could impact the findings of this study. This concern arises because the data for the study variables were obtained from a single source and relied on self-report measures (Podsakoff, 2003 ). Therefore, it is recommended that future studies be conducted longitudinally to gain additional insights into organizations’ potential to enhance efficiency. Furthermore, it is essential to note that the sample size for this study was limited to 363 respondents who were deemed usable. These respondents were drawn from only ten research and academic institutions explicitly targeting the education and research sector.

Consequently, this restricted sample size may hinder the generalizability of the findings. Future researchers may employ a larger sample size and implement a more systematic approach to the organization to enhance the comprehensiveness and generalizability of findings in the context of global talent management and scientific and technological advancement. Furthermore, in future investigations, researchers may explore alternative boundary conditions to ascertain whether additional factors could enhance the model’s efficacy.

Numerous academic studies have emphasized the significance of examining talent management outcomes in global human resource management (HRM). The continuous international movement of highly qualified individuals is viewed as a driving force behind the development of new technologies, the dissemination of scientific findings, and the collaboration between institutions worldwide. Every organization strives to build a qualified and well-trained team, and the personnel department of the organization focuses on finding ways to transfer knowledge from experienced workers to new hires. This study uses a research collaboration system to examine the relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance. Further, this study underscores the moderating role of top management support. These findings offer a nuanced perspective on how organizations can leverage their intellectual assets to foster higher productivity and innovation, especially in emergencies.

Data availability

Due to respondents’ privacy concerns, data will not be publicly available. However, it can be made available by contacting the corresponding author at a reasonable request.

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Muhammad Zada

Facultad de Administración y Negocios, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, 8320000, Chile

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Imran Saeed

College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ilma University, Karachi, Pakistan

Shagufta Zada

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Conceptualization: Muhammad Zada and Imran Saeed. Methodology: Jawad Khan. Software: Shagufta Zada. Data collection: Muhammad Zada, Shagufta Zada and Jawad Khan. Formal analysis: Imran Saeed and Jawad Khan. Resources: Muhammad Zada. Writing original draft preparation: Muhammad Zada and Imran Saeed. Writing review and editing: Jawad Khan, Shagufta Zada. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the paper.

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The author sought and received ethical approval from the Research Ethical Committee School of Economics and Management at Hanjiang Normal University, China, with approval number 2023REC001, and the study complied with ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. All the participants were accessed with the support of the HR Department employed in China’s research and academia sector. Response Participants were provided with comprehensive information regarding the study’s purpose and procedures. Confidentiality and privacy were strictly implemented throughout the research process. Using the time lag data collection approach, we collected from 393 employees employed in China’s research and academic sector.

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Zada, M., Saeed, I., Khan, J. et al. Navigating post-pandemic challenges through institutional research networks and talent management. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11 , 1164 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03697-9

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