The Insightful Corner Hub: Anatomy of a Research Topic

A well-constructed research topic is like a carefully engineered blueprint; every element has a purpose, and each part contributes to a clear understanding of what the study intends to explore. A strong research topic provides structure, direction, and boundaries, enabling the reader to immediately grasp what the study is about and why it matters. In academic writing, a clearly defined topic also strengthens the development of the research problem, objectives, and methodology.

Whether you are designing a small academic project, a graduate thesis, or a large-scale public health investigation, understanding the anatomy of a research topic ensures that your study is coherent, feasible, and aligned with real-world needs. Below is a detailed breakdown of the essential components that make up a strong, well-articulated research topic.

1. Population / Study Subject (Who?)

The population refers to the specific group, individuals, communities, or entities you plan to study. It answers the question: Who is the focus of this research?

Defining the target population clearly helps determine sampling strategies, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the relevance of your findings. A vague population introduces confusion and weakens the study’s precision.

Examples:

• Adults aged 45–85 years
• Nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Kigali
• Community-dwelling patients with hypertension
• Adolescents using social media in urban Rwanda

A strong population statement combines characteristics such as age, profession, health conditions, or geographical grouping. The more precise the definition, the better the research focus.

2. Phenomenon / Issue / Variable of Interest (What?)

This is the core of your researchthe “what” that you want to investigate. It could be a health condition, behavioral pattern, clinical practice, policy issue, or emerging social concern.

Clearly identifying the phenomenon of interest ensures that your topic is anchored in a measurable, observable, or describable concept.

Examples:

• Prevalence of diabetes
• Medication adherence among chronic illness patients
• Knowledge of infection prevention protocols
• Impact of social media on mental health

This part should align with your objectives and inform the choice of research design. A poorly defined issue results in vague research questions and unfocused data collection.

3. Setting / Location (Where?)

The setting answers the question: Where is the study conducted?

Location can influence exposure factors, cultural practices, healthcare access, and many other contextual variables. Specifying the setting ensures the research is grounded in a real environment.

Examples:

• Gisenyi District Hospital
• Urban public secondary schools in Rwanda
• Rural communities in the Northern Province
• Private pharmacies in Kigali City

A well-defined setting also helps with logistics, permissions, and ethical approvals.

4. Time Frame (When?)

The time frame clarifies when the study takes place or what period the data represents. It is important because many issues, especially in public health, are time-sensitive or seasonal.

Examples:

• January to December 2024
• Retrospective review of records from 2015–2020
• A 6-month follow-up study
• A one-day survey conducted in March 2025

A defined time frame limits the scope and provides context for interpreting results.

5. Purpose / Rationale (Why?)

The purpose explains why the study matters its importance, justification, and contribution to knowledge or practice.

This is where you connect the research to real-world needs, knowledge gaps, health burdens, or policy priorities.

Examples:

• To identify risk factors contributing to high disease burden
• To guide intervention design and policy improvement
• To inform better clinical practices
• To address insufficient local data

A clear rationale increases the credibility and relevance of the research.

6. Scope / Delimitations (How Broad?)

Scope defines what the study will and will not cover.

This keeps the research manageable and prevents unnecessary complexity.

Examples:

• Using a cross-sectional approach
• Excluding children under 18
• Focusing only on outpatient departments
• Limiting the study to three selected health facilities

Good delimitations help readers understand the boundaries and limitations of the research.

7. Research Design / Approach (How?) (Optional but Valuable)

Although not always included in the topic itself, mentioning the design strengthens the clarity of your study. It shows how you plan to answer the research question.

Examples:

• Quantitative cross-sectional study
• Qualitative phenomenological approach
• Mixed-methods explanatory sequential design
• Case-control study

Including the design adds methodological precision and helps the reviewer predict the nature of data collection and analysis.

Putting It All Together: Example

Research Topic:

“Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection among adults aged 45–85 attending Gisenyi District Hospital, Rwanda, between January and December 2024: A cross-sectional study.”

Breakdown:

• Population: Adults aged 45–85
• Phenomenon: Hepatitis C virus infection prevalence and associated risk factors
• Setting: Gisenyi District Hospital, Rwanda
• Time Frame: January–December 2024
• Purpose: To determine prevalence and identify associated risk factors
• Scope: Cross-sectional study limited to outpatient attendees
• Design: Quantitative cross-sectional survey