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60 Most Interesting Technology Research Topics for 2024

August 22, 2024

Scrambling to find technology research topics for the assignment that’s due sooner than you thought? Take a scroll through these 60 interesting technology essay topics in 10 different categories, including controversial technology topics, and some example research questions for each.

Social Technology Research Topics

Whether you have active profiles on every social media platform, you’ve taken a social media break, or you generally try to limit your engagement as much as possible, you probably understand how pervasive social technologies have become in today’s culture. Social technology will especially appeal to those looking for widely discussed, mainstream technology essay topics.

• How do viewers respond to virtual influencers vs. human influencers? Is one more effective or ethical over the other?
• Across social media platforms, when and where is mob mentality most prevalent? How do the nuances of mob mentality shift depending on the platform or topic?
• Portable devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets have certainly made daily life easier in some ways. But how have they made daily life more difficult?
• How does access to social media affect developing brains? And what about mature brains?
• Can dating apps alter how users perceive and interact with people in real life?
• Studies have proven “doomscrolling” to negatively impact mental health—could there ever be any positive impacts?
• How much can bots truly shape or manipulate opinions on social media? Is their influence positive or negative?
• Social media algorithms can contribute to the spread of sensationalized or controversial stories. Should social media companies be held accountable for misinformation on their platforms?

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology Research Topics

Following cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has been a rollercoaster over the last few years. Since Bitcoin’s conception in 2009, cryptocurrency has consistently showed up on many lists of controversial technology topics, and continues to undergo massive shifts in popularity as well as value.

• Is it ethical for celebrities or influential people to promote cryptocurrencies or cryptographic assets like NFTs ?
• What are the environmental impacts of mining cryptocurrencies? Could those impacts ever change?
• How does cryptocurrency impact financial security and financial health?
• Could the privacy cryptocurrency offers ever be worth the added security risks?
• How might cryptocurrency regulations and impacts continue to evolve?
• Created to enable cryptocurrency, blockchain has since proven useful in several other industries. What new uses could blockchain have?

Artificial Intelligence Technology Research Topics

ChatGPT , voice cloning , and deepfakes continue to be a major source of conversation (and contention). While people have discussed artificial intelligence for ages, recent advances have pushed this topic to the front of our minds. Those searching for controversial technology topics should pay close attention to this section.

• OpenAI –the company behind ChatGPT–has shown commitment to safe, moderated AI tools that they hope will provide positive benefits to society. Sam Altman, their CEO, recently testified before a US Senate committee. He described what AI makes possible and called for more regulation in the industry. But even with companies like OpenAI displaying efforts to produce safe AI and advocating for regulations, can AI ever have a purely positive impact? Are certain pitfalls unavoidable?
• In a similar vein, can AI ever actually be ethically or safely produced? Will there always be certain risks?
• How might AI tools impact society across future generations?
• Countless movies and television shows explore the idea of AI going wrong, going back all the way to 1927’s Metropolis . What has a greater impact on public perception—representations in media or industry developments? And can public perception impact industry developments and their effectiveness?
• Is it ever okay to use voice cloning or deepfakes without the person’s knowledge or consent?

Beauty and Anti-Aging Technology

Throughout human history, people in many cultures have gone to extreme lengths to capture and maintain youth. But technology has taken this pursuit to another level. For those seeking technology essay topics that are both timely and timeless, this one’s a gold mine.

• With augmented reality technology, companies like Perfect allow app users to virtually try on makeup, hair color, hair accessories, and hand or wrist accessories. Could virtual try-ons lead to a somewhat less wasteful beauty industry? What downsides should we consider?
• Users of the Perfect app can also receive virtual diagnoses for skin care issues and virtually “beautify” themselves with smoothed skin, erased blemishes, whitened teeth, brightened under-eye circles, and reshaped facial structures. How could advancements in beauty and anti-aging technology affect self-perception and mental health?
• What are the best alternatives to animal testing within the beauty and anti-aging industry?
• Is anti-aging purely a cosmetic pursuit? Could anti-aging technology provide other benefits?
• Could people actually find a “cure” to aging? And could a cure to aging lead to longer lifespans?
• How might longer human lifespans affect the Earth?
• Should social media influencers be expected to disclose when they are using augmented reality, filters, or Photoshop on their photos?

Geoengineering Technology Research Topics

An umbrella term, geoengineering refers to large-scale technologies that can alter the earth and its climate. Typically, these types of technologies aim to combat climate change. Those searching for controversial technology topics should consider looking into this one.

• What benefits can solar geoengineering provide? Can they outweigh the severe risks?
• Compare solar geoengineering methods like mirrors in space, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and other proposed methods. How have these methods evolved? How might they continue to evolve?
• Which direct air capture methods are most sustainable?
• How can technology contribute to reforestation efforts?
• What are the best uses for biochar? And how can biochar help or harm the earth?
• Out of all the carbon geoengineering methods that exist or have been proposed, which should we focus on the most?
• Given the potential unintended consequences, is geoengineering ethical?

Creative and Performing Arts Technology Topics

While tensions often arise between artists and technology, they’ve also maintained a symbiotic relationship in many ways. It’s complicated. But of course, that’s what makes it interesting. Here’s another option for those searching for hot-button technology essay topics.

• How has the relationship between art and technology evolved over time?
• How has technology impacted the ways people create art? And how has technology impacted the ways people engage with art?
• Technology has made creating and viewing art widely accessible. Does this increased accessibility change the value of art? And do we value physical art more than digital art?
• Does technology complement storytelling in the performing arts? Or does technology hinder storytelling in the performing arts?
• Which current issues in the creative or performing arts could potentially be solved with technology?
• Should digital or AI-generated art be valued in the same way as more traditional art forms, like drawing, painting, or sculpting?

Cellular Agriculture Technology Research Topics

And another route for those drawn to controversial technology topics: cellular agriculture. You’ve probably heard about popular plant-based meat options from brands like Impossible and Beyond Meat . While products made with cellular agriculture also don’t require the raising and slaughtering of livestock, they are not plant-based. Cellular agriculture allows for the production of animal-sourced foods and materials made from cultured animal cells.

• Many consumers have a proven bias against plant-based meats. Will that same bias extend to cultured meat, despite cultured meat coming from actual animal cells?
• Which issues can arise from patenting genes?
• Does the animal agriculture industry provide any benefits that cellular agriculture may have trouble replicating?
• How might products made with cellular agriculture become more affordable?
• Could cellular agriculture conflict with the notion of a “ circular bioeconomy ?” And should we strive for a circular bioeconomy? Can we create a sustainable relationship between technology, capitalism, and the environment, with or without cellular agriculture?

Transportation Technology Research Topics

For decades, we’ve expected flying cars to carry us into a techno-utopia, where everything’s shiny, digital, and easy. We’ve heard promises of super fast trains that can zap us across the country or even across the world. We’ve imagined spring breaks on the moon, jet packs, and teleportation. Who wouldn’t love the option to go anywhere, anytime, super quickly? Transportation technology is another great option for those seeking widely discussed, mainstream technology essay topics.

• Once upon a time, Lady Gaga was set to perform in space as a promotion for Virgin Galactic . While Virgin Galactic never actually launched the iconic musician/actor, they launched their first commercial flight full of civilians–who paid $450,000 a pop–on a 90-minute trip into the stars in 2023. And if you think that’s pricey, SpaceX launched three businessmen into space for $55 million in April 2022 (though with meals included, this is actually a total steal). So should we be launching people into space just for fun? What are the impacts of space tourism?
• Could technology improve the way hazardous materials get transported?
• How can the 5.9 GHz Safety Band affect drivers?
• Which might be safer: self-driving cars or self-flying airplanes?
• Compare hyperloop and maglev.  Which is better and why?
• Can technology improve safety for cyclists?

Gaming Technology Topics

A recent study involving over 2,000 children found links between video game play and enhanced cognitive abilities. While many different studies have found the impacts of video games to be positive or neutral, we still don’t fully understand the impact of every type of video game on every type of brain. Regardless, most people have opinions on video gaming. So this one’s for those seeking widely discussed, mainstream, and controversial technology topics.

• Are different types or genres of video games more cognitively beneficial than others? Or are certain gaming consoles more cognitively beneficial than others?
• How do the impacts of video games differ from other types of games, such as board games or puzzles?
• What ethical challenges and safety risks come with virtual reality gaming?
• How does a player perceive reality during a virtual reality game compared to other types of video games?
• Can neurodivergent brains benefit from video games in different ways than neurotypical brains?

Medical Technology

Advancements in healthcare have the power to change and save lives. In the last ten years, countless new medical technologies have been developed, and in the next ten years, countless more will likely emerge. Always relevant and often controversial, this final technology research topic could interest anyone.

• Which ethical issues might arise from editing genes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology? And should this technology continue to be illegal in the United States?
• How has telemedicine impacted patients and the healthcare they receive?
• Can neurotechnology devices potentially affect a user’s agency, identity, privacy, and/or cognitive liberty?
• How could the use of medical 3-D printing continue to evolve?
• Are patients more likely to skip digital therapeutics than in-person therapeutic methods? And can the increased screen time required by digital therapeutics impact mental health?

Now that you’ve picked from this list of technology essay topics, do a deep dive and immerse yourself in new ideas, new information, and new perspectives. And of course, now that these topics have motivated you to change the world, look into the best computer science schools , the top feeders to tech and Silicon Valley , the best summer programs for STEM students , and the best biomedical engineering schools .

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Mariya holds a BFA in Creative Writing from the Pratt Institute and is currently pursuing an MFA in writing at the University of California Davis. Mariya serves as a teaching assistant in the English department at UC Davis. She previously served as an associate editor at Carve Magazine for two years, where she managed 60 fiction writers. She is the winner of the 2015 Stony Brook Fiction Prize, and her short stories have been published in Mid-American Review , Cutbank , Sonora Review , New Orleans Review , and The Collagist , among other magazines.

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Research Question Examples 🧑🏻‍🏫

25+ Practical Examples & Ideas To Help You Get Started 

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | October 2023

A well-crafted research question (or set of questions) sets the stage for a robust study and meaningful insights.  But, if you’re new to research, it’s not always clear what exactly constitutes a good research question. In this post, we’ll provide you with clear examples of quality research questions across various disciplines, so that you can approach your research project with confidence!

Research Question Examples

• Psychology research questions
• Business research questions
• Education research questions
• Healthcare research questions
• Computer science research questions

Examples: Psychology

Let’s start by looking at some examples of research questions that you might encounter within the discipline of psychology.

How does sleep quality affect academic performance in university students?

This question is specific to a population (university students) and looks at a direct relationship between sleep and academic performance, both of which are quantifiable and measurable variables.

What factors contribute to the onset of anxiety disorders in adolescents?

The question narrows down the age group and focuses on identifying multiple contributing factors. There are various ways in which it could be approached from a methodological standpoint, including both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Do mindfulness techniques improve emotional well-being?

This is a focused research question aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific intervention.

How does early childhood trauma impact adult relationships?

This research question targets a clear cause-and-effect relationship over a long timescale, making it focused but comprehensive.

Is there a correlation between screen time and depression in teenagers?

This research question focuses on an in-demand current issue and a specific demographic, allowing for a focused investigation. The key variables are clearly stated within the question and can be measured and analysed (i.e., high feasibility).

Examples: Business/Management

Next, let’s look at some examples of well-articulated research questions within the business and management realm.

How do leadership styles impact employee retention?

This is an example of a strong research question because it directly looks at the effect of one variable (leadership styles) on another (employee retention), allowing from a strongly aligned methodological approach.

What role does corporate social responsibility play in consumer choice?

Current and precise, this research question can reveal how social concerns are influencing buying behaviour by way of a qualitative exploration.

Does remote work increase or decrease productivity in tech companies?

Focused on a particular industry and a hot topic, this research question could yield timely, actionable insights that would have high practical value in the real world.

How do economic downturns affect small businesses in the homebuilding industry?

Vital for policy-making, this highly specific research question aims to uncover the challenges faced by small businesses within a certain industry.

Which employee benefits have the greatest impact on job satisfaction?

By being straightforward and specific, answering this research question could provide tangible insights to employers.

Examples: Education

Next, let’s look at some potential research questions within the education, training and development domain.

How does class size affect students’ academic performance in primary schools?

This example research question targets two clearly defined variables, which can be measured and analysed relatively easily.

Do online courses result in better retention of material than traditional courses?

Timely, specific and focused, answering this research question can help inform educational policy and personal choices about learning formats.

What impact do US public school lunches have on student health?

Targeting a specific, well-defined context, the research could lead to direct changes in public health policies.

To what degree does parental involvement improve academic outcomes in secondary education in the Midwest?

This research question focuses on a specific context (secondary education in the Midwest) and has clearly defined constructs.

What are the negative effects of standardised tests on student learning within Oklahoma primary schools?

This research question has a clear focus (negative outcomes) and is narrowed into a very specific context.

Need a helping hand?

Examples: Healthcare

Shifting to a different field, let’s look at some examples of research questions within the healthcare space.

What are the most effective treatments for chronic back pain amongst UK senior males?

Specific and solution-oriented, this research question focuses on clear variables and a well-defined context (senior males within the UK).

How do different healthcare policies affect patient satisfaction in public hospitals in South Africa?

This question is has clearly defined variables and is narrowly focused in terms of context.

Which factors contribute to obesity rates in urban areas within California?

This question is focused yet broad, aiming to reveal several contributing factors for targeted interventions.

Does telemedicine provide the same perceived quality of care as in-person visits for diabetes patients?

Ideal for a qualitative study, this research question explores a single construct (perceived quality of care) within a well-defined sample (diabetes patients).

Which lifestyle factors have the greatest affect on the risk of heart disease?

This research question aims to uncover modifiable factors, offering preventive health recommendations.

Examples: Computer Science

Last but certainly not least, let’s look at a few examples of research questions within the computer science world.

What are the perceived risks of cloud-based storage systems?

Highly relevant in our digital age, this research question would align well with a qualitative interview approach to better understand what users feel the key risks of cloud storage are.

Which factors affect the energy efficiency of data centres in Ohio?

With a clear focus, this research question lays a firm foundation for a quantitative study.

How do TikTok algorithms impact user behaviour amongst new graduates?

While this research question is more open-ended, it could form the basis for a qualitative investigation.

What are the perceived risk and benefits of open-source software software within the web design industry?

Practical and straightforward, the results could guide both developers and end-users in their choices.

Remember, these are just examples…

In this post, we’ve tried to provide a wide range of research question examples to help you get a feel for what research questions look like in practice. That said, it’s important to remember that these are just examples and don’t necessarily equate to good research topics . If you’re still trying to find a topic, check out our topic megalist for inspiration.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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450+ Technology Research Topics & Ideas for Your Paper

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Technology is like a massive puzzle where each piece connects to form the big picture of our modern lives. Be it a classroom, office, or a hospital, technology has drastically changed the way we communicate and do business. But to truly understand its role, we need to explore different technology research topics.

And that's where this blog will be handy! Powered by solid experience, our professional term paper writers gathered multiple technology research paper topics in literally any direction. Whether you're a student looking for an intriguing subject for your project or just a tech enthusiast trying to broaden your understanding, we've got your back. Dive into this collection of tech topics and see how technological progress is shaping our world.

What Are Technology Topics?

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. It's the smartphone in your hand, the electric car on your street, and the spacecraft exploring Mars. It might also be the code that protects your online privacy and the microscope that uncovers mysteries of the human cell.

Technology permeates our lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, learn, work, and play. But, beyond the gadgets and gizmos, there's a world of diverse technology research topics, ideas, concepts, and challenges.

Technology topics zoom in on these ideas, peeling back the layers of the tech universe. As a researcher, you might study how AI is changing healthcare, explore the ethical implications of robotics, or investigate the latest innovations in renewable energy. Your project should probe into the 'how,' the 'why,' and the 'what next' of the technology that is reshaping our world. So, whether you're dissecting the impact of EdTech on traditional learning or predicting the future of space exploration, research topics in technology are limitless.

Branches of Technology Research Paper Topics

Undoubtedly, the reach of technology is extensive. It's woven its way into almost every corner of our lives. Before we move to technological research topics, let’s first see just where technology has left its mark. So, here are some areas where technology is really shaking things up:

• Government services: E-governance, digital IDs, and digital voting are just a few examples of technology's application in government services.
• Finance: Fintech innovations include cryptocurrencies, mobile banking, robo-advising, and contactless payments.
• Education: Technology is used in a wide variety of educational contexts, from e-learning platforms and digital textbooks to educational games and virtual classrooms.
• Communication: Social media, video conferencing, instant messaging, and email are all examples of tech's role in communication.
• Healthcare: From electronic medical records and telemedicine to advanced imaging technology and robotic surgery, technology is surely transforming healthcare.
• Agriculture: Technological advancements are revolutionizing agriculture through precision farming, automated machinery, drones, and genetic engineering.
• Retail: It also influences retail through e-commerce, mobile payments, virtual fitting rooms, and personalized shopping experiences.
• Environment: Tech is used in climate modeling, conservation efforts, renewable energy, and pollution control.

These are far from all sectors where technology can be applied. But this list shows how diverse topics in technology can be.

How to Choose a Technology Research Topic?

Before you select any idea, it’s important to understand what a good technology research topic is. In a nutshell, a decent topic should be interesting, relevant, and feasible to research within your available resources and time. Make sure it’s specific enough, but not to narrow so you can find enough credible resources. 

Your technology topic sets the course of your research. It influences the type and amount of information you'll search for, the methods you'll use to find it, and the way you'll interpret it. Ultimately, the right topic can make your research process not only more manageable but also more meaningful. But how to get started, you may ask. Don’t worry! Below we are going to share valuable tips from our thesis writers on how to choose a worthy topic about technology.

• Make research Study the latest trends and explore relevant technology news. Your task is to come up with something unique that’s not been done before. Try to look for inspiration in existing literature, scientific articles, or in past projects.
• Recognize your interests Start with what you are genuinely curious about in the field of technology. Passion can be a great motivator during the research process.
• Consider the scope You want a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. It should provide enough material to explore without being overwhelming.
• Check availability of resources Ensure there are sufficient trustworthy resources available for your chosen topic.
• Evaluate the relevance Your technology research idea should be pertinent to your field of study and resonate with current trends. This can make your research more valuable and engaging for your audience.

Top List of Technology Research Topics

Are you looking for the best research topics about technology? Stop by! Here, we’ve carefully collected the topic ideas to ignite your curiosity and support your research. Each topic offers various data sources, allowing you to construct well-supported arguments. So, let's discover these fascinating subjects together!

• AI's influence on healthcare.
• Challenges of cybersecurity in a connected world.
• Role of drones in modern agriculture.
• Could renewable energy replace fossil fuels?
• Impact of virtual reality on education.
• Blockchain's potential beyond cryptocurrencies.
• Ethical considerations in biotechnology.
• Can smart cities enhance quality of life?
• Autonomous vehicles – opportunities and threats.
• Robotics in manufacturing.
• Is big data changing decision-making processes?
• E-waste : Challenges and solutions.
• Role of IoT in smart homes.
• Implications of 5G technology.
• EdTech: A revolution in learning?

Good Technology Research Topics

Ready for another batch of inspiration? Get ready to discover great technology topics for a research paper across various disciplines. These ideas are designed to stimulate your creativity and provide substantial information for your research. So, let's explore these exciting themes together!

• Impact of nanotechnology on medicine.
• Harnessing quantum computing potential.
• Augmented reality in tourism.
• Can bioinformatics revolutionize disease prediction?
• Sustainability in tech product design.
• Darknet : A hidden side of the internet.
• How does technology influence human behavior?
• Assistive technology in special education.
• Are smart textiles transforming the fashion industry?
• Role of GIS in urban planning.
• Space tourism: A reality or fantasy?
• Potential of digital twins in engineering.
• How is telemedicine shaping healthcare delivery?
• Green IT : Addressing environmental issues.
• Impact of machine learning on finance.

Interesting Technology Research Paper Topics

For those craving intriguing angles and fresh ideas, we present these interesting topics in technology. This collection is filled with thought-provoking subjects that cover the lesser-known areas of technology. Each topic is concise, clear, and ready to spark a fascinating research journey!

• Cyber-physical systems in industry 4.0.
• Social implications of deepfake technology.
• Can gamification enhance learning outcomes?
• Neuromorphic computing: Emulating the human brain.
• Li-Fi : Light-based communication technology.
• Health risks of prolonged screen time.
• Quantum cryptography and secure communication.
• Role of technology in sustainable agriculture.
• Can we predict earthquakes with AI?
• Virtual influencers: A new trend in marketing.
• Tech solutions for wildlife conservation.
• Role of 3D printing in organ transplantation.
• Impact of automation on the job market.
• Cloud gaming: A new era in the gaming industry.
• Genomic editing: Possibilities and ethical concerns.

New Technology Research Topics

Understanding the fast-paced world of technology requires us to keep up with the latest developments. Hence, we bring you burning  technology research paper topics. These ideas reflect the most recent trends and advances in technology, offering fresh perspectives for your research. Let's take a look at these compelling subjects!

• Potential of hyper automation in business processes.
• How is AI changing digital marketing?
• Brain-computer interfaces: The future of communication?
• Quantum supremacy : Fact or fiction?
• 5D data storage: Revolutionizing data preservation.
• Rise of voice technology in consumer applications.
• Using AI for mental health treatment.
• Implications of edge computing for IoT devices.
• Personalized learning with AI in education.
• Role of technology in reducing food waste.
• Digital twin technology in urban development.
• Impact of AI on patent law.
• Cybersecurity in the era of quantum computing.
• Role of VR in disaster management training.
• AI in talent recruitment: Pros and cons.

Unique Technology Research Topics

For those wanting to stand out with truly original research, we offer 100% authentic topics about technology. We understand that professors highly value unique perspectives. Below we've meticulously selected these technology paper topics to offer you something different. These are not your everyday technology subjects but rather unexpected gems ready to be explored.

• Digital ethics in AI application.
• Role of technology in countering climate change.
• Is there a digital divide in developing countries?
• Role of drones in disaster management.
• Quantum internet: Possibilities and challenges.
• Digital forensic techniques in cybersecurity.
• Impact of technology on traditional art forms.
• Biohacking: Can we really upgrade ourselves?
• Technology and privacy: An inevitable trade-off?
• Developing empathy through virtual reality.
• AI and creativity: Can machines be artists?
• Technology's impact on urban gardening.
• Role of technology in accessible tourism.
• Quantum biology: A frontier of science.
• Unmanned underwater vehicles: Opportunities and threats.

Informative Research Topics in Technology

If you are seeking comprehensive information on technologies, this selection will definitely provide you with insights. As you may know, every study should be backed up by credible sources. Technology topics for research papers below are very easy to investigate, so you will surely find a bunch of academic resources.

• Exploring  adaptive learning systems in online education.
• Role of technology in modern archaeology.
• Impact of immersive technology on journalism.
• The rise of telehealth services.
• Green data centers: A sustainable solution?
• Cybersecurity in mobile banking.
• 3D bioprinting : A revolution in healthcare?
• How technology affects sleep quality.
• AI in music production: A new era?
• Technology's role in preserving endangered languages.
• Smart grids for sustainable energy use.
• The future of privacy in a digital world.
• Can technology enhance sports performance?
• Role of AR in interior design.
• How technology is transforming public libraries.

Controversial Research Topics on Technology

Technological field touches upon areas where technology, ethics, and society intersect and often disagree. This has sparked debates and, sometimes, conspiracy theories, primarily because of the profound implications technologies have for our future. Take a look at these ideas, if you are up to a more controversial research topic about technology:

• Facial recognition technology: Invasion of privacy?
• Tech addiction: Myth or reality?
• The ethics of AI in warfare.
• Should social media platforms censor content?
• Are cryptocurrencies a boon or a bane?
• Is technology causing more harm than good to our health?
• The bias in machine learning algorithms.
• Genetic engineering: Playing God or advancing science?
• Will AI replace human jobs?
• Net neutrality: Freedom of internet or control?
• The risk of AI superintelligence.
• Tech companies' monopoly: Beneficial or detrimental?
• Are we heading towards a surveillance society?
• AI in law enforcement: Safeguard or threat?
• Do we rely too much on technology?

Easy Technology Research Paper Topics

Who ever thought the tech field was only for the tech-savvy? Well, it's time to dispel that myth. Here in our collection of simple technology research topics, we've curated subjects that break down complex tech concepts into manageable chunks. We believe that every student should get a chance to run a tech related project without any hurdles.

• Impact of social media on interpersonal communication.
• Smartphones: A boon or a bane?
• How technology improves accessibility for people with disabilities.
• E-learning versus traditional learning.
• Impact of technology on travel and tourism.
• Pros and cons of online shopping.
• How has technology changed entertainment?
• Technology's role in boosting productivity at work.
• Online safety: How to protect ourselves?
• Importance of digital literacy in today's world.
• How has technology influenced the music industry?
• E-books vs printed books: A tech revolution?
• Does technology promote loneliness?
• Role of technology in shaping modern communication.
• The impact of gaming on cognitive abilities.

Technology Research Topics Ideas for Students

As an experienced paper writing service online that helps students all the time, we understand that every learner has unique academic needs. With this in mind, the next section of our blog is designed to cater specifically to different academic levels. Whether you're a high school student just starting to explore technology or a doctoral candidate delving deep into a specialized topic, we've got different technology topics arranged by complexity.

Technology Research Topics for High School Students

High school students are expected to navigate complex topics, fostering critical thinking and promoting in-depth exploration. The proposed research paper topics on technology will help students understand how tech advancements shape various sectors of society and influence human life.

• How have smartphones changed our communication?
• Does virtual reality in museums enhance visitor experience?
• Understanding privacy issues in social media.
• How has technology changed the way we listen to music?
• Role of technology in promoting fitness and healthy lifestyle.
• Advantages and disadvantages of online learning.
• Does excessive screen time affect sleep quality?
• Do video games affect academic performance?
• How do GPS systems work?
• How has technology improved animation in films?
• Pros and cons of using smart home devices.
• Are self-driving cars safe?
• Technology's role in modernizing local libraries.
• Can technology help us lead more sustainable lifestyles?
• Can technology help improve road safety for teenagers?

Technology Research Topics for College Students

Think technology research topics for college are all about rocket science? Think again! Our compilation of college-level tech research topics brings you a bunch of intriguing, conversation-stirring, and head-scratching questions. They're designed to let you sink into the world of technology while also pushing your academic boundaries. Time to dive in, explore, question, and take your own unique stance on hot-button issues.

• Biometrics in identity verification: A privacy risk?
• Impact of 5G on mobile gaming.
• Are wearable fitness devices a true reflection of health?
• Can machine learning help predict climate change effects?
• Are digital currencies disrupting traditional finance?
• Use of drones in search and rescue operations.
• Impact of e-learning on academic performance.
• Does artificial intelligence have a place in home security?
• What are the ethical issues surrounding robotic surgery?
• Are e-wallets a safer option for online transactions?
• How has technology transformed news dissemination?
• AI in language translation: How accurate can it be?
• Personalized advertising: Boon or bane for online users?
• Are smart classes making learning more interactive?
• Influence of technology on homemade crafts and DIY culture.

Technology Research Topics for University Students

Are you browsing for university technology research ideas? We've got you covered. Whether you're about to dig deep into high-tech debates, or just taking your first steps, our list of technology research questions is your treasure chest.

• Blockchain applications in ensuring academic integrity.
• Impact of quantum computing on data security.
• Are brain-computer interfaces a future communication tool?
• Does digital currency pose a threat to the global economy?
• Use of AI in predicting and managing natural disasters.
• Can biometrics replace traditional identification systems?
• Role of nanotechnology in waste management.
• Machine learning's influence on climate change modeling.
• Edge computing: Revolutionizing data processing?
• Is virtual reality in psychological therapy a viable option?
• Potential of synthetic biology in medical research.
• Quantum cryptography: An uncrackable code?
• Is space tourism achievable with current technology?
• Ethical implications of gene editing technologies.
• Artificial intelligence in governance.

Technology Research Paper Topics in Different Areas

In the next section, we've arranged a collection of technology research questions related to different areas like computer science, biotechnology, and medicine. Find an area you are interested in and look through subject-focused ideas and topics for a research paper on technology.

Technology Research Topics on Computer Science

Computer science is a field that has rapidly developed over the past decades. It deals with questions of technology's influence on society, as well as applications of cutting-edge technologies in various industries and sectors. Here are some computer science research topics on technology to get started:

• Prospects of machine learning in malware detection.
• Influence of cloud computing on business operations.
• Quantum computing: potential impacts on cryptography.
• Role of big data in personalized marketing.
• Can AI models effectively simulate human decision-making?
• Future of mobile applications: Towards augmented reality?
• Pros and cons of open source software development.
• Role of computer science in advancing virtual reality.
• Natural language processing: Transforming human-computer interaction?
• Developing secure e-commerce platforms: Challenges and solutions.
• Green computing : solutions for reducing energy consumption.
• Data mining in healthcare: An untapped opportunity?
• Understanding cyber threats in the internet of things.
• Algorithmic bias: Implications for automated decision-making.
• Role of neural networks in image recognition.

Information Technology Research Topics

Information technology is a dynamic field that involves the use of computers and software to manage and process information. It's crucial in today's digital era, influencing a range of industries from healthcare to entertainment. Here are some captivating information technology related topics:

• Impact of cloud technology on data management.
• Role of information technology in disaster management.
• Can artificial intelligence help improve data accuracy?
• Cybersecurity measures for protecting personal information.
• Evolving role of IT in healthcare administration.
• Adaptive learning systems: A revolution in education?
• E-governance : Impact on public administration.
• Role of IT in modern supply chain management.
• Bioinformatics and its role in personalized medicine.
• Is data mining an invasion of privacy?
• Can virtual reality enhance training and development programs?
• Role of IT in facilitating remote work.
• Smart devices and data security: A potential risk?
• Harnessing IT for sustainable business practices.
• How can big data support decision-making processes?

Technology Research Topics on Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, or AI as we fondly call it, is all about creating machines that mimic human intelligence. It's shaping everything from how we drive our cars to how we manage our calendars. Want to understand the mind of a machine? Choose a topic about technology for a research paper from the list below:

• AI's role in detecting fake news.
• Chatbots in customer service: Are humans still needed?
• Algorithmic trading: AI's impact on financial markets.
• AI in agriculture: a step towards sustainable farming?
• Facial recognition systems: an AI revolution or privacy threat?
• Can AI outperform humans in creative tasks?
• Sentiment analysis in social media: how effective is AI?
• Siri, Alexa, and the future of AI.
• AI in autonomous vehicles: safety concern or necessity?
• How AI algorithms are transforming video games.
• AI's potential in predicting and mitigating natural disasters.
• Role of AI in combating cyber threats.
• Influence of AI on job recruitment and HR processes.
• Can AI help in advancing climate change research?
• Can machines make accurate diagnoses?

Technology Research Topics in Cybersecurity Command

Cybersecurity Command focuses on strengthening digital protection. Its goal is to identify vulnerabilities, and outsmart cyber threats. Ready to crack the code of the cybersecurity command? Check out these technology topics for research designed to take you through the tunnels of cyberspace:

• Cybersecurity strategies for a post-quantum world.
• Role of AI in identifying cyber threats.
• Is cybersecurity command in healthcare a matter of life and death?
• Is there any connection between cryptocurrency and cybercrime?
• Cyber warfare : The invisible battleground.
• Mitigating insider threats in cybersecurity command.
• Future of biometric authentication in cybersecurity.
• IoT security: command challenges and solutions.
• Cybersecurity and cloud technology: A secure match?
• Influence of blockchain on cybersecurity command.
• Machine learning's role in malware detection.
• Cybersecurity protocols for mobile devices.
• Ethics in cybersecurity: Hacking back and other dilemmas.
• What are some steps to recovery after a breach?
• Social engineering: Human factor in cybersecurity.

Technology Research Topics on Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that has been gaining a lot of traction in the past few decades. It involves the application of biological principles to understand and solve various problems. The following research topic ideas for technology explore biotechnology's impact on medicine, environment, agriculture, and other sectors:

• Can GMOs solve global hunger issues?
• Understanding biotech's role in developing personalized medicine.
• Using biotech to fight antibiotic resistance.
• Pros and cons of genetically modified animals.
• Biofuels – are they really a sustainable energy solution?
• Ethical challenges in gene editing.
• Role of biotech in combating climate change.
• Can biotechnology help conserve biodiversity?
• Biotech in beauty: Revolutionizing cosmetics.
• Bioluminescence – a natural wonder or a biotech tool?
• Applications of microbial biotechnology in waste management.
• Human organ farming: Possibility or pipe dream?
• Biotech and its role in sustainable agriculture.
• Biotech advancements in creating allergy-free foods.
• Exploring the future of biotech in disease detection.

>> Read more: Biology Topics to Research

Technology Research Paper Topics on Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is an area of science that involves the manipulation of genes to change or enhance biological characteristics. This field has raised tremendous ethical debates while offering promising solutions in medicine and agriculture. Here are some captivating topics for a technology research paper on genetic engineering:

• Future of gene editing: Breakthrough or ethical dilemma?
• Role of CRISPR technology in combating genetic diseases.
• Pros and cons of genetically modified crops.
• Impact of genetic engineering on biodiversity.
• Can gene therapy provide a cure for cancer?
• Genetic engineering and the quest for designer babies.
• Legal aspects of genetic engineering.
• Use of genetic engineering in organ transplantation.
• Genetic modifications: Impact on human lifespan.
• Genetically engineered pets: A step too far?
• The role of genetic engineering in biofuels production.
• Ethics of genetic data privacy.
• Genetic engineering and its impact on world hunger.
• Genetically modified insects: Solution for disease control?
• Genetic engineering: A tool for biological warfare?

Reproduction Technology Research Paper Topics

Reproduction technology is all about the science that aids human procreation. It's a field teeming with innovation, from IVF advancements to genetic screening. Yet, it also stirs up ethical debates and thought-provoking technology topics to write about:

• Advances in in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technology .
• The rise of surrogacy: Technological advancements and implications.
• Ethical considerations in sperm and egg donation.
• Genetic screening of embryos: A step forward or an ethical minefield?
• Role of technology in understanding and improving fertility.
• Artificial Wombs: Progress and prospects.
• Ethical and legal aspects of posthumous reproduction.
• Impact of reproductive technology on the LGBTQ+ community.
• The promise and challenge of stem cells in reproduction.
• Technology's role in preventing genetic diseases in unborn babies.
• Social implications of childbearing technology.
• The concept of 'designer babies': Ethical issues and future possibilities.
• Reproductive cloning: Prospects and controversies.
• Technology and the future of contraception.
• Role of AI in predicting successful IVF treatment.

Medical Technology Topics for a Research Paper

The healthcare field is undergoing massive transformations thanks to cutting-edge medical technology. From revolutionary diagnostic tools to life-saving treatments, technology is reshaping medicine as we know it. To aid your exploration of this dynamic field, we've compiled medical technology research paper topics:

• Role of AI in early disease detection.
• Impact of telemedicine on rural healthcare.
• Nanotechnology in cancer treatment: Prospects and challenges.
• Can wearable technology improve patient outcomes?
• Ethical considerations in genome sequencing.
• Augmented reality in surgical procedures.
• The rise of personalized medicine: Role of technology.
• Mental health apps: Revolution or hype?
• Technology and the future of prosthetics.
• Role of Big Data in healthcare decision making.
• Virtual reality as a tool for pain management.
• Impact of machine learning on drug discovery.
• The promise of medical drones for emergency response.
• Technology's role in combating antimicrobial resistance.
• Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Blessing or curse?

>> More ideas: Med Research Topics

Health Technology Research Topics

Health technology is driving modern healthcare to new heights. From apps that monitor vital stats to robots assisting in surgeries, technology's touch is truly transformative. Take a look at these topics related to technology applied in healthcare:

• Role of mobile apps in managing diabetes.
• Impact of health technology on patient privacy.
• Wearable tech: Fad or future of personal health monitoring?
• How can AI help in battling mental health issues?
• Role of digital tools in promoting preventive healthcare.
• Smart homes for the elderly: Boon or bane?
• Technology and its impact on health insurance.
• The effectiveness of virtual therapy sessions.
• Can health chatbots replace human doctors?
• Technology's role in fighting the obesity epidemic.
• The use of blockchain in health data management.
• Impact of technology on sleep health.
• Social media and its effect on mental health.
• Prospects of 3D printing in creating medical equipment.
• Tele-rehabilitation: An effective solution for physical therapy?

>> View more: Public Health Topics to Research

Communication Technology Research Topics

With technology at the helm, our ways of communicating are changing at an unprecedented pace. From simple text messages to immersive virtual conferences, technology has rewritten the rules of engagement. So, without further ado, let's explore these communication research ideas for technology that capture the essence of this revolution.

• AI chatbots: Re-defining customer service.
• The impact of 5G on global communication.
• Augmented Reality: The future of digital marketing?
• Is 'digital divide' hindering global communication?
• Social media's role in shaping public opinion.
• Can holographic communication become a reality?
• Influence of emojis in digital communication.
• The cybersecurity challenges in modern communication.
• Future of journalism in the digital age.
• How technology is reshaping political communication.
• The influence of streaming platforms on viewing habits.
• Privacy concerns in the age of instant messaging.
• Can technology solve the issue of language barriers?
• The rise of podcasting: A digital renaissance.
• Role of virtual reality in remote communication.

Research Topics on Technology in Transportation

Technology is the driving force behind the dramatic changes in transportation, making journeys safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly. Whether it's autonomous vehicles or the concept of Hyperloop, there are many transportation technology topics for a research paper to choose from:

• Electric vehicles: A step towards sustainable travel.
• The role of AI in traffic management.
• Pros and cons of autonomous vehicles.
• Hyperloop: An ambitious vision of the future?
• Drones in goods delivery: Efficiency vs. privacy.
• Technology's role in reducing aviation accidents.
• Challenges in implementing smart highways.
• The implications of blockchain in logistics.
• Could vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles solve traffic problems?
• Impact of GPS technology on transportation.
• How has technology influenced public transit systems?
• Role of 5G in future transportation.
• Ethical concerns over self-driving cars.
• Technology in maritime safety: Progress and hurdles.
• The evolution of bicycle technology: From spokes to e-bikes.

Technology Research Paper Topics on Education

The intersection of technology and education is an exciting frontier with limitless possibilities. From online learning to interactive classrooms, you can explore various technology paper topics about education:

• How does e-learning affect student engagement?
• VR classrooms: A glimpse into the future?
• Can AI tutors revolutionize personalized learning?
• Digital textbooks versus traditional textbooks: A comparison.
• Gamification in education: Innovation or distraction?
• The impact of technology on special education.
• How are Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) reshaping higher education?
• The role of technology in inclusive education.
• Cybersecurity in schools: Measures and challenges.
• The potential of Augmented Reality (AR) in classroom learning.
• How is technology influencing homeschooling trends?
• Balancing technology and traditional methods in early childhood education.
• Risks and benefits of student data tracking.
• Can coding be the new literacy in the 21st century?
• The influence of social media on academic performance.

>> Learn more: Education Research Paper Topics

Relationships and Technology Research Topics

In the digital age, technology also impacts our relationships. It has become an integral part of how we communicate, meet people, and sustain our connections. Discover some thought-provoking angles with these research paper topics about technology:

• How do dating apps affect modern relationships?
• The influence of social media on interpersonal communication.
• Is technology enhancing or hindering long-distance relationships?
• The psychology behind online dating: A study.
• How do virtual reality environments impact social interaction?
• Social media friendships: Genuine or superficial?
• How does technology-mediated communication affect family dynamics?
• The impact of technology on work-life balance.
• The role of technology in sustaining long-term relationships.
• How does the 'always connected' culture influence personal boundaries?
• Cyberbullying and its effect on teenage relationships.
• Can technology predict compatibility in relationships?
• The effects of 'ghosting' in digital communication.
• How technology assists in maintaining relationships among elderly populations.
• Social media: A boon or bane for marital relationships?

Agriculture Technology Research Paper Topics

Modern agriculture is far from just tilling the soil and harvesting crops. Technology has made remarkable strides into the fields, innovating and improving agricultural processes. Take a glance at these technology research paper topic ideas:

• Can drone technology transform crop monitoring?
• Precision agriculture: Benefits and challenges.
• Aquaponics and the future of sustainable farming.
• How is artificial intelligence aiding in crop prediction?
• Impact of blockchain technology in food traceability.
• The role of IoT in smart farming.
• Vertical farming : Is it a sustainable solution for urban food supply?
• Innovations in irrigation technology for water conservation.
• Automated farming: A boon or a threat to employment in agriculture?
• How satellite imagery is improving crop disease detection.
• Biotechnology in crop improvement: Pros and cons.
• Nanotechnology in agriculture: Scope and limitations.
• Role of robotics in livestock management.
• Agricultural waste management through technology.
• Is hydroponics the future of farming?

Technological Research Topics on Environment

Our planet is facing numerous environmental challenges, and technology may hold the key to solving many of these. With innovations ranging from renewable energy sources to waste management systems, the realm of technology offers a plethora of research angles. So, if you're curious about the intersection of technology and environment, this list of research topics is for you:

• Innovations in waste management: A technology review.
• The role of AI in predicting climate change impacts.
• Renewable energy: Advancements in solar technology.
• The impact of electric vehicles on carbon emissions.
• Can smart agriculture help solve world hunger?
• Role of technology in water purification and conservation.
• The impact of IoT devices on energy consumption.
• Technology solutions for oil spills.
• Satellite technology in environmental monitoring.
• Technological advances in forest conservation.
• Green buildings: Sustainable construction technology.
• Bioengineering: A solution to soil erosion?
• Impact of nanotechnology on environmental conservation.
• Ocean clean-up initiatives: Evaluating existing technology.
• How can technology help in reducing air pollution?

>> View more: Environmental Science Research Topics

Energy & Power Technology Topics for Research Paper

Energy and power are two pivotal areas where technology is bringing unprecedented changes. You can investigate renewable energy sources or efficient power transmission. If you're excited about exploring the intricacies of energy and power advancements, here are some engaging technology topics for research papers:

• Assessing the efficiency of wind energy technologies.
• Power storage: Current and future technology.
• Solar panel technology: Recent advancements and future predictions.
• Can nuclear fusion be the answer to our energy crisis?
• Smart grid technology: A revolution in power distribution.
• Evaluating the impact of hydropower on ecosystems.
• The role of AI in optimizing power consumption.
• Biofuels vs. fossil fuels: A comparative study.
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Technological challenges and solutions.
• Technology advancements in geothermal power.
• How is IoT technology helping in energy conservation?
• Harnessing wave and tidal energy: Technological possibilities.
• Role of nanotechnology in improving solar cell efficiency.
• Power transmission losses: Can technology provide a solution?
• Assessing the future of coal technology in the era of renewable energy.

Research Topics about Technology in Finance

The finance sector has seen drastic changes with the rise of technology, which has revolutionized the way financial transactions are conducted and services are offered. Consider these research topics in technology applied in the finance sector:

• Rise of cryptocurrency: An evaluation of Bitcoin's impact.
• Algorithmic trading: How does it reshape financial markets?
• Role of AI and machine learning in financial forecasting.
• Technological challenges in implementing digital banking.
• How is blockchain technology transforming financial services?
• Cybersecurity risks in online banking: Identifying solutions.
• FinTech startups: Disrupting traditional finance systems.
• Role of technology in financial inclusion.
• Assessing the impact of mobile wallets on the banking sector.
• Automation in finance: Opportunities and threats.
• Role of big data analytics in financial decision making.
• AI-based robo-advisors vs. human financial advisors.
• The future of insurance technology (InsurTech).
• Can technology solve the issue of financial fraud?
• Impact of regulatory technology (RegTech) in maintaining compliance.

>> More ideas: Finance Research Topics

War Technology Research Paper Topics

The nature of warfare has transformed significantly with the evolution of technology, shifting the battlegrounds from land, sea, and air to the realms of cyber and space. This transition opens up a range of topics to explore. Here are some research topics in the realm of war technology:

• Drones in warfare: Ethical implications.
• Cyber warfare: Assessing threats and defense strategies.
• Autonomous weapons: A boon or a curse?
• Implications of artificial intelligence in modern warfare.
• Role of technology in intelligence gathering.
• Satellite technology and its role in modern warfare.
• The future of naval warfare: Autonomous ships and submarines.
• Hypersonic weapons: Changing the dynamics of war.
• Impact of nuclear technology in warfare.
• Technology and warfare: Exploring the relationship.
• Information warfare: The role of social media.
• Space warfare: Future possibilities and implications.
• Bio-warfare: Understanding technology's role in development and prevention.
• Impact of virtual reality on military training.
• War technology and international law: A critical examination.

Food Technology Topics for Research Papers

Food technology is a field that deals with the study of food production, preservation, and safety. It involves understanding how various techniques can be applied to increase shelf life and improve nutrition value of foods. Check out our collection of food technology research paper topic ideas:

• Lab-grown meats: Sustainable solution or a mere hype?
• How AI is enhancing food safety and quality?
• Precision agriculture: Revolutionizing farming practices.
• GMOs: Assessing benefits and potential risks.
• Role of robotics in food manufacturing and packaging.
• Smart kitchens: Streamlining cooking through technology.
• Nanofood: Tiny technology, big impact.
• Sustainable food systems: Role of technology.
• Food traceability: Ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Food delivery apps: Changing the face of dining out.
• The rise of plant-based alternatives and their production technologies.
• Virtual and augmented reality in culinary experiences.
• Technology in mitigating food waste.
• Innovations in food packaging: Impact on freshness and sustainability.
• IoT in smart farming: Improving yield and reducing waste.

Entertainment Technology Topics

Entertainment technology is reinventing the ways we experience amusement. This industry is always presenting new angles for research and discussion, be it the rise of virtual reality in movies or the influence of streaming platforms on the music industry. Here's a list of unique research topics related to entertainment technology:

• Impact of virtual reality on the movie industry.
• Streaming platforms vs traditional media: A comparative study.
• Technology in music: Evolution and future prospects.
• eSports: Rise of a new form of entertainment.
• Augmented reality in theme parks.
• The transformation of theater with digital technology.
• AI and film editing: Redefining the art.
• The role of technology in the rise of independent cinema.
• Podcasts: Revolutionizing radio with technology.
• Immersive technologies in art exhibitions.
• The influence of technology on fashion shows and design.
• Livestreaming concerts: A new norm in the music industry?
• Drones in entertainment: Applications and ethics.
• Social media as an entertainment platform.
• The transformation of journalism in the era of digital entertainment.

Technology Research Questions

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology, numerous intriguing questions arise. Below, we present new research questions about technology that can fuel your intellectual pursuit.

• What potential does quantum computing hold for resolving complex problems?
• How will advancements in AI impact job security across different sectors?
• In what ways can blockchain technology reform the existing financial systems?
• How is nanotechnology revolutionizing the field of medicine?
• What are the ethical implications surrounding the use of facial recognition technology?
• How will the introduction of 6G change our communication patterns?
• In what ways is green technology contributing to sustainable development?
• Can virtual reality transform the way we approach education?
• How are biometrics enhancing the security measures in today's digital world?
• How is space technology influencing our understanding of the universe?
• What role can technology play in solving the global water crisis?
• How can technology be leveraged to combat climate change effectively?
• How is technology transforming the landscape of modern agriculture?
• Can technological advancements lead to a fully renewable energy-dependent world?
• How does technology influence the dynamics of modern warfare?

Bottom Line on Research Topics in Technology

Technology is a rapidly evolving field, and there's always something new to explore. Whether you're writing for the computer sciences, information technology or food technology realm, there are endless ideas that you can research on. Pick one of these technology research paper topics and jumpstart your project.

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• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Topics

120 Technology Research Paper Topics

How to choose a topic for a technology research paper:, information technology research paper topics:.

• Artificial intelligence in cybersecurity
• The impact of blockchain technology on supply chain management
• Ethical considerations in the use of big data analytics
• The role of cloud computing in enhancing business productivity
• Internet of Things (IoT) and its implications for smart cities
• Cybersecurity challenges in the era of remote work
• The potential of virtual reality in healthcare applications
• The impact of social media on consumer behavior and marketing strategies
• Data privacy and protection in the age of digital surveillance
• The role of machine learning algorithms in predicting and preventing cyber attacks
• The use of biometric authentication systems for enhanced security
• The future of quantum computing and its potential applications
• The ethical implications of facial recognition technology
• The role of artificial intelligence in personalized medicine
• The impact of 5G technology on the Internet of Things

Technology Management Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of artificial intelligence on technology management
• Strategies for effective technology adoption and implementation in organizations
• The role of technology in enhancing supply chain management
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in businesses
• The influence of big data analytics on technology management decision-making
• The role of technology in improving project management practices
• Investigating the relationship between technology management and innovation
• The impact of cybersecurity on technology management in organizations
• Exploring the role of technology in enhancing customer relationship management
• The challenges and benefits of cloud computing in technology management
• The role of technology in improving knowledge management practices
• Investigating the impact of technology on organizational change management
• The role of technology in improving sustainability and environmental management
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities of mobile technology in management
• The influence of technology on talent management and human resources practices

Medical Technology Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics
• The role of wearable devices in monitoring and managing chronic diseases
• Advancements in robotic surgery and its implications for patient outcomes
• The use of virtual reality in pain management and rehabilitation
• The potential of nanotechnology in targeted drug delivery systems
• The development of 3D printing in personalized medicine
• The ethical considerations of genetic engineering in medical technology
• The application of telemedicine in rural and underserved areas
• The role of big data analytics in improving healthcare delivery
• The use of blockchain technology in securing medical records and data
• The impact of mobile health applications on patient engagement and self-care
• The potential of gene editing technologies in treating genetic disorders
• The development of smart implants for real-time monitoring and treatment
• The use of bioinformatics in personalized medicine and precision healthcare
• The challenges and opportunities of implementing electronic health records (EHR) systems

Innovating Technology Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of artificial intelligence on job automation
• Blockchain technology and its potential applications in supply chain management
• The role of virtual reality in enhancing medical training and patient care
• The future of renewable energy: exploring advancements in solar panel technology
• The potential of 3D printing in revolutionizing manufacturing processes
• The ethical implications of gene editing technology in human embryos
• The use of drones in disaster management and emergency response
• Exploring the potential of quantum computing in solving complex problems
• The impact of Internet of Things (IoT) on smart cities and urban planning
• Augmented reality in education: enhancing learning experiences through interactive technology
• The development of self-driving cars and their potential impact on transportation systems
• The role of big data analytics in improving healthcare outcomes and patient care
• The future of cybersecurity: addressing emerging threats in a hyper-connected world
• Exploring the potential of nanotechnology in medicine and drug delivery systems
• The use of biometric technology in enhancing security and privacy measures

Computer Technology Research Paper Topics:

• Artificial intelligence and its impact on society
• Cybersecurity measures and challenges in the digital age
• Big data analytics and its role in decision-making processes
• Internet of Things (IoT) and its impact on everyday life
• Virtual reality and its applications in various industries
• The role of blockchain technology in securing digital transactions
• Cloud computing and its benefits for businesses and individuals
• Ethical considerations in the development and use of autonomous systems
• The impact of social media on personal privacy and data security
• Augmented reality and its potential in enhancing user experiences
• The challenges and opportunities of 5G technology implementation
• The impact of automation on the job market and workforce dynamics
• The future of wearable technology and its implications for healthcare and fitness

Technology Development Research Paper Topics:

• The role of blockchain technology in enhancing cybersecurity
• The future of virtual reality in education and training
• The potential of 5G technology in revolutionizing communication networks
• The ethical implications of gene editing technology
• The use of drones in disaster management and relief operations
• The development of renewable energy technologies for sustainable power generation
• The application of nanotechnology in medicine for targeted drug delivery
• The role of big data analytics in improving business decision-making processes
• The challenges and opportunities of implementing Internet of Things (IoT) in smart cities
• The development of autonomous vehicles and their impact on transportation systems
• The potential of quantum computing in solving complex computational problems
• The use of biometric technology for enhancing security and privacy
• The impact of social media on mental health and well-being
• The development of wearable technology for healthcare monitoring and management

Technology and Business Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of artificial intelligence on business operations
• The role of blockchain technology in supply chain management
• Cybersecurity challenges and solutions for small businesses
• The adoption of cloud computing in the healthcare industry
• The influence of social media on consumer behavior and marketing strategies
• The use of big data analytics for business decision-making
• The future of e-commerce: Trends and innovations
• The role of virtual reality in enhancing customer experiences
• The ethical implications of data privacy in the digital age
• The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in smart cities
• The potential of 5G technology for transforming industries
• The impact of automation and robotics on job displacement and workforce dynamics
• The role of technology in sustainable business practices
• The challenges and opportunities of implementing digital transformation strategies
• The role of technology in enhancing supply chain resilience and agility

Data Technology Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of big data analytics on business decision-making
• Ethical considerations in data mining and data privacy
• Machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection in cybersecurity
• The role of data visualization in improving data-driven decision-making
• The application of artificial intelligence in healthcare data analysis
• Predictive modeling for customer churn in the telecommunications industry
• The use of blockchain technology for secure and transparent data sharing
• Data-driven approaches for personalized marketing and customer segmentation
• The challenges and opportunities of data integration in a multi-cloud environment
• The role of data analytics in optimizing supply chain management
• Exploring the potential of data-driven approaches in urban planning and smart cities
• Data-driven approaches for fraud detection and prevention in financial institutions
• The impact of data analytics on improving educational outcomes
• The role of data technology in enhancing cybersecurity measures
• The ethical implications of using data technology in criminal justice systems

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• Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Published on October 26, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your research paper , dissertation , or thesis .

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

Table of contents

How to write a research question, what makes a strong research question, using sub-questions to strengthen your main research question, research questions quiz, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research questions.

You can follow these steps to develop a strong research question:

• Choose your topic
• Do some preliminary reading about the current state of the field
• Narrow your focus to a specific niche
• Identify the research problem that you will address

The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for different purposes.

Using your research problem to develop your research question

Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research , the way you frame your question should help determine your choices.

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Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question.

Focused and researchable

Feasible and specific

Complex and arguable

Relevant and original

Chances are that your main research question likely can’t be answered all at once. That’s why sub-questions are important: they allow you to answer your main question in a step-by-step manner.

Good sub-questions should be:

• Less complex than the main question
• Focused only on 1 type of research
• Presented in a logical order

Here are a few examples of descriptive and framing questions:

• Descriptive: According to current government arguments, how should a European bank tax be implemented?
• Descriptive: Which countries have a bank tax/levy on financial transactions?
• Framing: How should a bank tax/levy on financial transactions look at a European level?

Keep in mind that sub-questions are by no means mandatory. They should only be asked if you need the findings to answer your main question. If your main question is simple enough to stand on its own, it’s okay to skip the sub-question part. As a rule of thumb, the more complex your subject, the more sub-questions you’ll need.

Try to limit yourself to 4 or 5 sub-questions, maximum. If you feel you need more than this, it may be indication that your main research question is not sufficiently specific. In this case, it’s is better to revisit your problem statement and try to tighten your main question up.

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (“ x affects y because …”).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses . In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

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The Ultimate Guide to Qualitative Research - Part 1: The Basics

• Introduction and overview
• What is qualitative research?
• What is qualitative data?
• Examples of qualitative data
• Qualitative vs. quantitative research
• Mixed methods
• Qualitative research preparation
• Theoretical perspective
• Theoretical framework
• Literature reviews
• Introduction

Why are research questions so important?

Research question examples, types of qualitative research questions, writing a good research question, guiding your research through research questions.

• Conceptual framework
• Conceptual vs. theoretical framework
• Data collection
• Qualitative research methods
• Focus groups
• Observational research
• Case studies
• Ethnographical research
• Ethical considerations
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Power dynamics
• Reflexivity

Research questions

The research question plays a critical role in the research process, as it guides the study design, data collection , analysis , and interpretation of the findings.

A research paper relies on a research question to inform readers of the research topic and the research problem being addressed. Without such a question, your audience may have trouble understanding the rationale for your research project.

People can take for granted the research question as an essential part of a research project. However, explicitly detailing why researchers need a research question can help lend clarity to the research project. Here are some of the key roles that the research question plays in the research process:

Defines the scope and focus of the study

The research question helps to define the scope and focus of the study. It identifies the specific topic or issue that the researcher wants to investigate, and it sets the boundaries for the study. A research question can also help you determine if your study primarily contributes to theory or is more applied in nature. Clinical research and public health research, for example, may be more concerned with research questions that contribute to practice, while a research question focused on cognitive linguistics are aimed at developing theory.

Provides a rationale for the study

The research question provides a rationale for the study by identifying a gap or problem in existing literature or practice that the researcher wants to address. It articulates the purpose and significance of the study, and it explains why the study is important and worth conducting.

Guides the study design

The research question guides the study design by helping the researcher select appropriate research methods , sampling strategies, and data collection tools. It also helps to determine the types of data that need to be collected and the best ways to analyze and interpret the data because the principal aim of the study is to provide an answer to that research question.

Shapes the data analysis and interpretation

The research question shapes the data analysis and interpretation by guiding the selection of appropriate analytical methods and by focusing the interpretation of the findings. It helps to identify which patterns and themes in the data are more relevant and worth digging into, and it guides the development of conclusions and recommendations based on the findings.

Generates new knowledge

The research question is the starting point for generating new knowledge. By answering the research question, the researcher contributes to the body of knowledge in the field and helps to advance the understanding of the topic or issue under investigation.

Overall, the research question is a critical component of the research process, as it guides the study from start to finish and provides a foundation for generating new knowledge.

Supports the thesis statement

The thesis statement or main assertion in any research paper stems from the answers to the research question. As a result, you can think of a focused research question as a preview of what the study aims to present as a new contribution to existing knowledge.

Here area few examples of focused research questions that can help set the stage for explaining different types of research questions in qualitative research . These questions touch upon various fields and subjects, showcasing the versatility and depth of research.

• What factors contribute to the job satisfaction of remote workers in the technology industry?
• How do teachers perceive the implementation of technology in the classroom, and what challenges do they face?
• What coping strategies do refugees use to deal with the challenges of resettlement in a new country?
• How does gentrification impact the sense of community and identity among long-term residents in urban neighborhoods?
• In what ways do social media platforms influence body image and self-esteem among adolescents?
• How do family dynamics and communication patterns affect the management of type 2 diabetes in adult patients?
• What is the role of mentorship in the professional development and career success of early-career academics?
• How do patients with chronic illnesses experience and navigate the healthcare system, and what barriers do they encounter?
• What are the motivations and experiences of volunteers in disaster relief efforts, and how do these experiences impact their future involvement in humanitarian work?
• How do cultural beliefs and values shape the consumer preferences and purchasing behavior of young adults in a globalized market?
• How do individuals whose genetic factors predict a high risk for developing a specific medical condition perceive, cope with, and make lifestyle choices based on this information?

These example research questions highlight the different kinds of inquiries common to qualitative research. They also demonstrate how qualitative research can address a wide range of topics, from understanding the experiences of specific populations to examining the impact of broader social and cultural phenomena.

Also, notice that these types of research questions tend to be geared towards inductive analyses that describe a concept in depth or develop new theory. As such, qualitative research questions tend to ask "what," "why," or "how" types of questions. This contrasts with quantitative research questions that typically aim to verify an existing theory. and tend to ask "when," "how much," and "why" types of questions to nail down causal mechanisms and generalizable findings.

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As you can see above, the research questions you ask play a critical role in shaping the direction and depth of your study. These questions are designed to explore, understand, and interpret social phenomena, rather than testing a hypothesis or quantifying data like in quantitative research. In this section, we will discuss the various types of research questions typically found in qualitative research, making it easier for you to craft appropriate questions for your study.

Descriptive questions

Descriptive research questions aim to provide a detailed account of the phenomenon being studied. These questions usually begin with "what" or "how" and seek to understand the nature, characteristics, or functions of a subject. For example, "What are the experiences of first-generation college students?" or "How do small business owners adapt to economic downturns?"

Comparative questions

Comparative questions seek to examine the similarities and differences between two or more groups, cases, or phenomena. These questions often include the words "compare," "contrast," or "differences." For example, "How do parenting practices differ between single-parent and two-parent families?" or "What are the similarities and differences in leadership styles among successful female entrepreneurs?"

Exploratory questions

Exploratory research questions are open-ended and intended to investigate new or understudied areas. These questions aim to identify patterns, relationships, or themes that may warrant further investigation. For example, "How do teenagers use social media to construct their identities?" or "What factors influence the adoption of renewable energy technologies in rural communities?"

Explanatory questions

Explanatory research questions delve deeper into the reasons or explanations behind a particular phenomenon or behavior. They often start with "why" or "how" and aim to uncover underlying motivations, beliefs, or processes. For example, "Why do some employees resist organizational change?" or "How do cultural factors influence decision-making in international business negotiations?"

Evaluative questions

Evaluative questions assess the effectiveness, impact, or outcomes of a particular intervention, program, or policy. They seek to understand the value or significance of an initiative by examining its successes, challenges, or unintended consequences. For example, "How effective is the school's anti-bullying program in reducing incidents of bullying?" or "What are the long-term impacts of a community-based health promotion campaign on residents' well-being?"

Interpretive questions

Interpretive questions focus on understanding how individuals or groups make sense of their experiences, actions, or social contexts. These questions often involve the analysis of language, symbols, or narratives to uncover the meanings and perspectives that shape human behavior. For example, "How do cancer survivors make sense of their illness journey?" or "What meanings do members of a religious community attach to their rituals and practices?"

There are mainly two overarching ways to think about how to devise a research question. Many studies are built on existing research, but others can be founded on personal experiences or pilot research.

Using the literature review

Within scholarly research, the research question is often built from your literature review . An analysis of the relevant literature reporting previous studies should allow you to identify contextual, theoretical, or methodological gaps that can be addressed in future research.

A compelling research question built on a robust literature review ultimately illustrates to your audience what is novel about your study's objectives.

Conducting pilot research

Researchers may conduct preliminary research or pilot research when they are interested in a particular topic but don't yet have a basis for forming a research question on that topic. A pilot study is a small-scale, preliminary study that is conducted in order to test the feasibility of a research design, methods, and procedures. It can help identify unresolved puzzles that merit further investigation, and pilot studies can draw attention to potential issues or problems that may arise in the full study.

One potential benefit of conducting a pilot study in qualitative research is that it can help the researcher to refine their research question. By collecting and analyzing a small amount of data, the researcher can get a better sense of the phenomenon under investigation and can develop a more focused and refined research question for the full study. The pilot study can also help the researcher to identify key themes, concepts, or variables that should be included in the research question.

In addition to helping to refine the research question, a pilot study can also help the researcher to develop a more effective data collection and analysis plan. The researcher can test different methods for collecting and analyzing data, and can make adjustments based on the results of the pilot study. This can help to ensure that the full study is conducted in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Overall, conducting a pilot study in qualitative research can be a valuable tool for refining the research question and developing a more effective research design, methods, and procedures. It can help to ensure that the full study is conducted in a rigorous and effective manner, and can increase the likelihood of generating meaningful and useful findings.

When you write a research question for your qualitative study, consider which type of question best aligns with your research objectives and the nature of the phenomenon you are investigating. Remember, qualitative research questions should be open-ended, allowing for a range of perspectives and insights to emerge. As you progress in your research, these questions may evolve or be refined based on the data you collect, helping to guide your analysis and deepen your understanding of the topic.

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How to Write a Research Question: Types and Examples 

The first step in any research project is framing the research question. It can be considered the core of any systematic investigation as the research outcomes are tied to asking the right questions. Thus, this primary interrogation point sets the pace for your research as it helps collect relevant and insightful information that ultimately influences your work.   

Typically, the research question guides the stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting. Depending on the use of quantifiable or quantitative data, research questions are broadly categorized into quantitative or qualitative research questions. Both types of research questions can be used independently or together, considering the overall focus and objectives of your research.  

What is a research question?

A research question is a clear, focused, concise, and arguable question on which your research and writing are centered. 1 It states various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. These questions also set the boundaries of the study, ensuring cohesion. 

Designing the research question is a dynamic process where the researcher can change or refine the research question as they review related literature and develop a framework for the study. Depending on the scale of your research, the study can include single or multiple research questions. 

A good research question has the following features: 

• It is relevant to the chosen field of study. 
• The question posed is arguable and open for debate, requiring synthesizing and analysis of ideas. 
• It is focused and concisely framed. 
• A feasible solution is possible within the given practical constraint and timeframe. 

A poorly formulated research question poses several risks. 1   

• Researchers can adopt an erroneous design. 
• It can create confusion and hinder the thought process, including developing a clear protocol.  
• It can jeopardize publication efforts.  
• It causes difficulty in determining the relevance of the study findings.  
• It causes difficulty in whether the study fulfils the inclusion criteria for systematic review and meta-analysis. This creates challenges in determining whether additional studies or data collection is needed to answer the question.  
• Readers may fail to understand the objective of the study. This reduces the likelihood of the study being cited by others. 

Now that you know “What is a research question?”, let’s look at the different types of research questions. 

Types of research questions

Depending on the type of research to be done, research questions can be classified broadly into quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies. Knowing the type of research helps determine the best type of research question that reflects the direction and epistemological underpinnings of your research. 

The structure and wording of quantitative 2 and qualitative research 3 questions differ significantly. The quantitative study looks at causal relationships, whereas the qualitative study aims at exploring a phenomenon. 

• Quantitative research questions:  
• Seeks to investigate social, familial, or educational experiences or processes in a particular context and/or location.  
• Answers ‘how,’ ‘what,’ or ‘why’ questions. 
• Investigates connections, relations, or comparisons between independent and dependent variables. 

Quantitative research questions can be further categorized into descriptive, comparative, and relationship, as explained in the Table below. 

• Qualitative research questions  

Qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible. It concerns broad areas of research or more specific areas of study to discover, explain, or explore a phenomenon. These are further classified as follows: 

• Mixed-methods studies  

Mixed-methods studies use both quantitative and qualitative research questions to answer your research question. Mixed methods provide a complete picture than standalone quantitative or qualitative research, as it integrates the benefits of both methods. Mixed methods research is often used in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research, especially in the behavioral, health, and social science fields. 

What makes a good research question

A good research question should be clear and focused to guide your research. It should synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument, and should ideally be something that you are interested in. But avoid questions that can be answered in a few factual statements. The following are the main attributes of a good research question. 

• Specific: The research question should not be a fishing expedition performed in the hopes that some new information will be found that will benefit the researcher. The central research question should work with your research problem to keep your work focused. If using multiple questions, they should all tie back to the central aim. 
• Measurable: The research question must be answerable using quantitative and/or qualitative data or from scholarly sources to develop your research question. If such data is impossible to access, it is better to rethink your question. 
• Attainable: Ensure you have enough time and resources to do all research required to answer your question. If it seems you will not be able to gain access to the data you need, consider narrowing down your question to be more specific. 
• You have the expertise 
• You have the equipment and resources 
• Realistic: Developing your research question should be based on initial reading about your topic. It should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge in your field or discipline. 
• Based on some sort of rational physics 
• Can be done in a reasonable time frame 
• Timely: The research question should contribute to an existing and current debate in your field or in society at large. It should produce knowledge that future researchers or practitioners can later build on. 
• Novel 
• Based on current technologies. 
• Important to answer current problems or concerns. 
• Lead to new directions. 
• Important: Your question should have some aspect of originality. Incremental research is as important as exploring disruptive technologies. For example, you can focus on a specific location or explore a new angle. 
• Meaningful whether the answer is “Yes” or “No.” Closed-ended, yes/no questions are too simple to work as good research questions. Such questions do not provide enough scope for robust investigation and discussion. A good research question requires original data, synthesis of multiple sources, and original interpretation and argumentation before providing an answer. 

Steps for developing a good research question

The importance of research questions cannot be understated. When drafting a research question, use the following frameworks to guide the components of your question to ease the process. 4  

• Determine the requirements: Before constructing a good research question, set your research requirements. What is the purpose? Is it descriptive, comparative, or explorative research? Determining the research aim will help you choose the most appropriate topic and word your question appropriately. 
• Select a broad research topic: Identify a broader subject area of interest that requires investigation. Techniques such as brainstorming or concept mapping can help identify relevant connections and themes within a broad research topic. For example, how to learn and help students learn. 
• Perform preliminary investigation: Preliminary research is needed to obtain up-to-date and relevant knowledge on your topic. It also helps identify issues currently being discussed from which information gaps can be identified. 
• Narrow your focus: Narrow the scope and focus of your research to a specific niche. This involves focusing on gaps in existing knowledge or recent literature or extending or complementing the findings of existing literature. Another approach involves constructing strong research questions that challenge your views or knowledge of the area of study (Example: Is learning consistent with the existing learning theory and research). 
• Identify the research problem: Once the research question has been framed, one should evaluate it. This is to realize the importance of the research questions and if there is a need for more revising (Example: How do your beliefs on learning theory and research impact your instructional practices). 

How to write a research question

Those struggling to understand how to write a research question, these simple steps can help you simplify the process of writing a research question. 

Sample Research Questions

The following are some bad and good research question examples 

• Example 1 

• Example 2 

References:  

• Thabane, L., Thomas, T., Ye, C., & Paul, J. (2009). Posing the research question: not so simple.  Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie ,  56 (1), 71-79. 
• Rutberg, S., & Bouikidis, C. D. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research.  Nephrology Nursing Journal ,  45 (2), 209-213. 
• Kyngäs, H. (2020). Qualitative research and content analysis.  The application of content analysis in nursing science research , 3-11. 
• Mattick, K., Johnston, J., & de la Croix, A. (2018). How to… write a good research question.  The clinical teacher ,  15 (2), 104-108. 
• Fandino, W. (2019). Formulating a good research question: Pearls and pitfalls.  Indian Journal of Anaesthesia ,  63 (8), 611. 
• Richardson, W. S., Wilson, M. C., Nishikawa, J., & Hayward, R. S. (1995). The well-built clinical question: a key to evidence-based decisions.  ACP journal club ,  123 (3), A12-A13 

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How to Develop a Good Research Question? — Types & Examples

Cecilia is living through a tough situation in her research life. Figuring out where to begin, how to start her research study, and how to pose the right question for her research quest, is driving her insane. Well, questions, if not asked correctly, have a tendency to spiral us!

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Questions lead everyone to answers. Research is a quest to find answers. Not the vague questions that Cecilia means to answer, but definitely more focused questions that define your research. Therefore, asking appropriate question becomes an important matter of discussion.

A well begun research process requires a strong research question. It directs the research investigation and provides a clear goal to focus on. Understanding the characteristics of comprising a good research question will generate new ideas and help you discover new methods in research.

In this article, we are aiming to help researchers understand what is a research question and how to write one with examples.

Table of Contents

What Is a Research Question?

A good research question defines your study and helps you seek an answer to your research. Moreover, a clear research question guides the research paper or thesis to define exactly what you want to find out, giving your work its objective. Learning to write a research question is the beginning to any thesis, dissertation , or research paper. Furthermore, the question addresses issues or problems which is answered through analysis and interpretation of data.

Why Is a Research Question Important?

A strong research question guides the design of a study. Moreover, it helps determine the type of research and identify specific objectives. Research questions state the specific issue you are addressing and focus on outcomes of the research for individuals to learn. Therefore, it helps break up the study into easy steps to complete the objectives and answer the initial question.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions can be categorized into different types, depending on the type of research you want to undergo. Furthermore, knowing the type of research will help a researcher determine the best type of research question to use.

1. Qualitative Research Question

Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research. However, unlike quantitative questions, qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional and more flexible. Qualitative research question focus on discovering, explaining, elucidating, and exploring.

i. Exploratory Questions

This form of question looks to understand something without influencing the results. The objective of exploratory questions is to learn more about a topic without attributing bias or preconceived notions to it.

Research Question Example: Asking how a chemical is used or perceptions around a certain topic.

ii. Predictive Questions

Predictive research questions are defined as survey questions that automatically predict the best possible response options based on text of the question. Moreover, these questions seek to understand the intent or future outcome surrounding a topic.

Research Question Example: Asking why a consumer behaves in a certain way or chooses a certain option over other.

iii. Interpretive Questions

This type of research question allows the study of people in the natural setting. The questions help understand how a group makes sense of shared experiences with regards to various phenomena. These studies gather feedback on a group’s behavior without affecting the outcome.

Research Question Example: How do you feel about AI assisting publishing process in your research?

2. Quantitative Research Question

Quantitative questions prove or disprove a researcher’s hypothesis through descriptions, comparisons, and relationships. These questions are beneficial when choosing a research topic or when posing follow-up questions that garner more information.

i. Descriptive Questions

It is the most basic type of quantitative research question and it seeks to explain when, where, why, or how something occurred. Moreover, they use data and statistics to describe an event or phenomenon.

Research Question Example: How many generations of genes influence a future generation?

ii. Comparative Questions

Sometimes it’s beneficial to compare one occurrence with another. Therefore, comparative questions are helpful when studying groups with dependent variables.

Example: Do men and women have comparable metabolisms?

iii. Relationship-Based Questions

This type of research question answers influence of one variable on another. Therefore, experimental studies use this type of research questions are majorly.

Example: How is drought condition affect a region’s probability for wildfires.  

How to Write a Good Research Question?

1. Select a Topic

The first step towards writing a good research question is to choose a broad topic of research. You could choose a research topic that interests you, because the complete research will progress further from the research question. Therefore, make sure to choose a topic that you are passionate about, to make your research study more enjoyable.

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

After finalizing the topic, read and know about what research studies are conducted in the field so far. Furthermore, this will help you find articles that talk about the topics that are yet to be explored. You could explore the topics that the earlier research has not studied.

3. Consider Your Audience

The most important aspect of writing a good research question is to find out if there is audience interested to know the answer to the question you are proposing. Moreover, determining your audience will assist you in refining your research question, and focus on aspects that relate to defined groups.

4. Generate Potential Questions

The best way to generate potential questions is to ask open ended questions. Questioning broader topics will allow you to narrow down to specific questions. Identifying the gaps in literature could also give you topics to write the research question. Moreover, you could also challenge the existing assumptions or use personal experiences to redefine issues in research.

5. Review Your Questions

Once you have listed few of your questions, evaluate them to find out if they are effective research questions. Moreover while reviewing, go through the finer details of the question and its probable outcome, and find out if the question meets the research question criteria.

6. Construct Your Research Question

There are two frameworks to construct your research question. The first one being PICOT framework , which stands for:

• Population or problem
• Intervention or indicator being studied
• Comparison group
• Outcome of interest
• Time frame of the study.

The second framework is PEO , which stands for:

• Population being studied
• Exposure to preexisting conditions
• Outcome of interest.

Research Question Examples

• How might the discovery of a genetic basis for alcoholism impact triage processes in medical facilities?
• How do ecological systems respond to chronic anthropological disturbance?
• What are demographic consequences of ecological interactions?
• What roles do fungi play in wildfire recovery?
• How do feedbacks reinforce patterns of genetic divergence on the landscape?
• What educational strategies help encourage safe driving in young adults?
• What makes a grocery store easy for shoppers to navigate?
• What genetic factors predict if someone will develop hypothyroidism?
• Does contemporary evolution along the gradients of global change alter ecosystems function?

How did you write your first research question ? What were the steps you followed to create a strong research question? Do write to us or comment below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research questions guide the focus and direction of a research study. Here are common types of research questions: 1. Qualitative research question: Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research. However, unlike quantitative questions, qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional and more flexible. Different types of qualitative research questions are: i. Exploratory questions ii. Predictive questions iii. Interpretive questions 2. Quantitative Research Question: Quantitative questions prove or disprove a researcher’s hypothesis through descriptions, comparisons, and relationships. These questions are beneficial when choosing a research topic or when posing follow-up questions that garner more information. Different types of quantitative research questions are: i. Descriptive questions ii. Comparative questions iii. Relationship-based questions

Qualitative research questions aim to explore the richness and depth of participants' experiences and perspectives. They should guide your research and allow for in-depth exploration of the phenomenon under investigation. After identifying the research topic and the purpose of your research: • Begin with Broad Inquiry: Start with a general research question that captures the main focus of your study. This question should be open-ended and allow for exploration. • Break Down the Main Question: Identify specific aspects or dimensions related to the main research question that you want to investigate. • Formulate Sub-questions: Create sub-questions that delve deeper into each specific aspect or dimension identified in the previous step. • Ensure Open-endedness: Make sure your research questions are open-ended and allow for varied responses and perspectives. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Encourage participants to share their experiences, opinions, and perceptions in their own words. • Refine and Review: Review your research questions to ensure they align with your research purpose, topic, and objectives. Seek feedback from your research advisor or peers to refine and improve your research questions.

Developing research questions requires careful consideration of the research topic, objectives, and the type of study you intend to conduct. Here are the steps to help you develop effective research questions: 1. Select a Topic 2. Conduct Preliminary Research 3. Consider Your Audience 4. Generate Potential Questions 5. Review Your Questions 6. Construct Your Research Question Based on PICOT or PEO Framework

There are two frameworks to construct your research question. The first one being PICOT framework, which stands for: • Population or problem • Intervention or indicator being studied • Comparison group • Outcome of interest • Time frame of the study The second framework is PEO, which stands for: • Population being studied • Exposure to preexisting conditions • Outcome of interest

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Technology Research Topics

Table of contents

• 1 What are Technology Research Topics?
• 2 Tips for Writing Technology Research Papers
• 3 Computer Science and Engineering Technology Research Topics
• 4 Energy and Power Technology Research Topics
• 5 Medical Devices & Diagnostics
• 6 Pharmaceutical Technology Research Topics
• 7 Food Technology Research Topic
• 8 Educational Technology Research Topic
• 9 Controversial Technology Research Topics
• 10 Transportation Technology Research Topics
• 11.1 Conclusion

Have you ever wondered what interesting technology topics for research papers mean? Then this article will provide you with the answer and topic examples that you can research and write on.

Have you ever wondered what interesting technology topics for research paper mean? Then this article will provide you with the answer and topic examples that you can research and write on.

Tech-related topics are among the vastest categories for college students, experts, and researchers. The field covers everything development majorly. The good thing about technology is that it cuts across every business sector and education field. It is important in Sciences, Socials and Fine Arts.

There have been many technology research topics about technology and development of sciences in the 21st century. This is due to the massive scope of this field. Researchers and thesis students have continued to research the foundation of every development. Triggering new findings that contribute to the overall improvement of the field. There have been many thesis papers on technologies, and there will still be more over the years. This is because the field has witnessed the highest and fastest growth among other disciplines and sciences.

This article seeks to take the research of technology and its concepts to a higher level. By considering very recent topics in line with the evolution and revolution of the field. The topics suggested in this article are divided into various categories to give readers a very good understanding of the latest technological concepts.

What are Technology Research Topics?

A technology research topic is a research or thesis title that gives a researcher or expert an idea of what to work on. While in certain instances, people who make technology research will have their topic scribbled out for them, most of the time, they will need to get a topic themselves. These topics make it easy for them to work on.

Generally, a topic based on the technological field will be very formal. It must contain researched data and facts. The topic must have a final aim of projecting a solution, answer, or knowledge to the targeted audience. With this being the case, getting a technology research title requires more than just picking any topic. What will pass on as the best topic for research title will be one that can be researched and provides a solution to a problem that the target audience needs. In certain instances, both the problem and the solution may be completely new to the target audience.

However, the ability of the writer to make their target audience know that there is a problem and a corresponding solution could do the thesis and project a pathway to ground-breaking research. Hence, a research title must open the researcher, thesis student, and expert to opportunities that could trigger landmark solutions.

Based on the importance of a research title to an entire technology thesis or research, a potential writer must ensure that they know what it takes to draft an excellent technology and scientific research paper title. The good thing is that tips are available to draft an excellent thesis topic.

Tips for Writing Technology Research Papers

There are very important steps that must be followed for a writer to make an excellent thesis topic. One major tip is that any topic selected must include at least one recent technology. A thesis topic that needs today’s basic technology as a roadmap has a higher probability of coming out much more successfully than one that does not include any current or new technology. It is also possible to buy a research paper based on technology to avoid all the processes of learning new technology concepts. Below are the top tips for writing excellent technology Research projects.

• Understand The Research Assignment This step is very important and will determine whether you need to purchase a research paper or not. You have to understand the assignment to be asked to research if you seek to give out great quality work. You need to ensure that you know the problem being projected to you and what is needed as a solution. The best research paper topics technology are those the writers fully understood and created.
• Get the Topic Idea You can only carve out a topic for an assignment that you understand. This is why the first step is imperative and why this one must follow. Understanding the topic that currently and comprehensively covers the assignment and its solution will help you develop a catching title. Even if you seek to purchase research papers for sale , you will need to fully understand the assignment and the relevant fitting topic before purchasing. You will get value for your money and wow your target audience.
• Choose a Scope to Research If you are writing your research yourself, you should know that getting a topic is not just enough. A topic may cut into very vast areas, and it would be impossible for you to research all of these areas before your submission deadline. So the best way to ensure that you give quality research assignments is by specifying the scope of your topic. Identify which questions you want to provide answers for and focus on them. That way, your effort will be concentrated with a better output.
• Get Good Links Knowing how to get great links for your work is very important as that will help you give out excellent work. Relying on established sources for important theories will help you establish a more convincing solution to the problem your research is about.

This article will consider major research topics on different technology research topics so that researchers and students planning to write a thesis or research paper can select from them and start their project immediately.

Computer Science and Engineering Technology Research Topics

Computer Science is one of the widest fields of Technology projects. As such, there are multiple writing topics to explore following the consistent and continuous development of the sector. As for Computer Science, there are many research works on computer engineering and more to explore. Thanks to the growth in better computer hardware and the more seamless management systems developed over time.

This section consists of 15 different research topics that thesis and college students can work on and get approval from their supervisors.

All the topics are recent and in line with global needs in 2023 and the next couple of years. They include:

• Blockchain technology and the banking industry
• The connection between human perception and virtual reality
• Computer-assisted education and the future
• High-dimensional data modeling and computer science
• Parallel computing Languages
• Imperative and declarative language in computer science
• The machine architecture and the efficiency of code
• The use of mesh generation for computational domains
• Persistent data structure optimization
• System programming language development
• Cyber-physical system vs sensor network
• Network economics and game theory
• Computational thinking and science
• Types of software security
• Programming language and floating-point

Energy and Power Technology Research Topics

Unlike many technology-related topics, Energy and Power is one that cuts into the spheres of politics, economics, and pure science. In the areas of Economics, Energy and Power are the second most arbitrated cases. It’s only behind Construction disputes.

However, energy and Power in Science and Practicality are not for the sake of disputes. In recent years, there has been more harmony between energy and other tech-related disciplines. This has triggered many research projects, and writing research assignments is not out of the equation.

So do you have an energy/Power research assignment to handle, then this section provides you with amazing topic ideas and scopes that you can choose and pick from? All the topics are very recent and in line with the needs of today’s assignments.

Get topics that focus on Cars, power industries, chemicals, and more.

• The use of fuel cells for stationary power generation
• Energy density
• Lithium-air and lithium-ion battery
• The better between gasoline and lithium-air batteries
• Renewable energy technologies
• The pros and cons of renewable energy usage
• Algae and biofuels
• Solar installations of India
• The use of robots in adjusting solar panels to weather
• Create energy and inertial confinement fusion
• Hydrogen energy and the future
• Alternative energy sources amidst gas price increase
• The application of energy transformation methods in respect to hydrogen energy
• AC systems and thermal storage
• Loading balance using smart grid

Medical Devices & Diagnostics

Medical devices and diagnostics are fast-growing fields with many opportunities for researchers to explore. There are thousands of devices that aid doctors in treating and managing patients. However, it cannot be emphatically stated that all of these devices offer the best results, where research assignments come into play.

As medical devices, medical diagnoses are also A very concentrated research area. Diagnostic research is highly related to medical devices because diagnoses are carried out with modern gadgets being produced by experts.

This section will consider top medical devices and diagnoses research titles in line with recent needs.

• Difference between Medical Devices and Drugs
• How Diagnostics helps treatment in 2023
• The Era of genetics Diagnostics and Discovery of Hidden Vulnerabilities
• How are Medical Smart Carts changing the game of Medicine?
• The Eventuality of AI in Smart Medical Devices
• The Regulation of Medical Devices
• Should Private Diagnoses Be Used for Making Critical Medical Decisions?
• Diagnostic Devices, Genetic Tests, and In Vitro Devices
• 3D & 4D Printing in Biomedicine
• Innovation in Minimally Invasive Therapies, Screening and Biosensing: Complex Networks, Data-driven Models
• Are medical Devices turning the Health Sector into a small interconnected powerhouse?
• Advances in Methods of Diagnostic & Therapeutic Devices
• What are Intra-Body Communication & Sensing?
• Smart Gadgets Data Collection in terms of Neuroscience
• The Contribution of Smartphone-Enabled Point-of-Care Diagnostic & Communication Systems

Pharmaceutical Technology Research Topics

Medicine has continued to improve, with technology in this area spiking in the last 20 years than it did centuries before. Pharmaceutical technology is one of the major flag bearers of this growth. As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, the potential of pharmaceutical technology knows no bounds as long as there is continuous research in the field.

With that being the case, there are multiple research titles and projects available to take on in this field, with the opportunity almost endless. This section lists some of these topics to help research students get great topics that they can work on for the best effect. While they are only 15, they all cover a large scope of inexhaustible topics, leaving the researcher to make their choice.

• The technologies of pharmaceuticals and their specialty medications
• The technology and trend of prior electronic authorization in pharmacy
• Medication therapy management and its effectiveness
• Electronic prescription of a controlled substance as regards the issues of drug abuse
• Health information exchange and medication therapy management
• How efficient and effective is a drug prescription monitoring program?
• The script standard of NCPDP for specialty pharmacies
• The patient’s interest in real-time pharmacy
• AIDS: development of drugs and vaccines
• Pharmaceutical technologies and data security
• The DNA library technology: an overview
• The impact of cloud ERP in the pharmaceutical industry
• Cannabidiol medication in pain management and the future
• Pharmaceutical research with phenotypic screening
• The benefits of cloud technology for small pharmaceutical companies

Food Technology Research Topic

Food research assignments and thesis have been going on for decades and even centuries due to their importance to living organisms. In 2023, this trend is expected to continue with more research topics to explore. Here are some amazing topic ideas that you can choose from and offer a mind-blowing research assignment.

• The types of machines used in the food industry
• 3D printing and the food industry
• Micro packaging and the future
• The impacts of robots as regards safety in butchery
• Swallowing disorder: 3D printed food as a solution
• Food technology and food waste: what are the solutions
• Biofilms and cold plasma
• Drones and precision agriculture
• Food industry and the time-temperature indicators
• Preservatives, additives, and the human gut microbiome
• Hydroponic and conventional farming
• The elimination of byproducts in edible oil production
• The baking industry and the newest technology
• Electronic nose in agriculture and food industry
• Food safety

Educational Technology Research Topic

As far as college students are concerned, technology in education and its subsequent research is the biggest assignment and thesis they have to consider. Education technology has continued to grow, with many gadgets and smart equipment introduced to facilitate better learning.

This section will consider some of the major education research titles that technology students can pick and provide excellent research.

• How is computational thinking improving critical thinking among students
• The effect of professional learning for college student
• The impact of technology in educational research
• The relevance of technology in advancing scientific research
• Virtual reality and its role in helping student understand complex concepts
• Global learning through technology and how it affects education standards
• Data centers and their role in education
• Cultural competence and socio-emotional learning
• Artificial intelligence and educational system
• Is the development of sufficient national capacities related to science, technology, and innovation possible?
• How inclusive is the architecture of learning systems?
• Student-centered learning
• The impact of connectivity for schools and learning, especially in rural environments
• Energy sources: their technological relativity and use in education
• Community college: advantages and disadvantages

Controversial Technology Research Topics

As the name suggests, Controversial technology topics are among the most researched in science. How good is technology considering its effects on the global world and nature? This argument is the foundation of Controversial technology topics. See 15 different technology topics to choose from as you start your research assignment.

• Can Human Trials Improve Drugs and Medicines Faster?
• The Legality of Euthanasia and Assisted Killings in Medicine
• Why Kids should not be exposed to the Internet and Social Media Gadgets in Their Earlier Years
• How Is Technology Destroying the World’s Ecology?
• Is Technology Leading the Destruction of the World’s Climate?
• How Has Technology Increased Radiation and the Depletion of the World?
• Does Technology Increase Gang Initiation due to Internet Access?
• How Social Media Increases the Rate of Children and Young Adults Death?
• The Relationship Between Technology and Depression
• Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR): Editing the Human Genome
• The Possible Devastation of World from High-Tech Military Weapons
• Space Colonization: How it is Good and Bad for Mother Earth
• Are Law Enforcement use of Hidden Cameras an Encroachment of Privacy?
• How Virtual Reality Can Become the New Reality If Developed?
• The Wins of Cochlear Implant Research

Transportation Technology Research Topics

Transportation technology research titles are among the hottest categories for students currently. See 15 best research topics for tech and science-related research to pick from.

• Are Computerized self-driving Cars Safe?
• The development and Advantages of hybrid cars and Electric cars
• How to Protect your smart car from hijackers and Car Thieves?
• Will the next-generation Cars Have Reliable GPS devices and Replace Drivers?
• The Evolution of High-speed rail networks and How They Change Rail Transport
• Driving and Using Cell phones: The Global Stats of Cell Phone Related Auto Accidents
• Is Teleportation an Impossible Physics?
• Will Gyroscopes be the new convenient solutions for public transportation?
• Will Logistics Companies be More Efficient With Electric Trucks?
• How Carbon fiber Serves as an optional material for unit load devices
• The Benefits of Advanced Transport Management Systems (TMS)?
• Can Solar Roadways Become More Cost-Effective?
• Does Technology Provide the Possibility of Water Powered Cars?
• How AI has Penetrated the Transport System and Make It More Effective
• Speed and Safety: How Technology Has Revolutionized Transport Systems

Information Communication Technologies (ITC) Research Topics

ICT is arguably the biggest field of technology, thanks to the amazing developments that have been achieved over the years in the field. ICT plays a major role in different areas of human life. This includes the area of TELECOMs, Education, Family, and Industries.

This section will consider 15 major technology titles on ICT to help students get topics to work on.

• How is technology improving Humans reading ability?
• Do online formats of readable information encourage readers to skim through instead of Understanding the Topics?
• How has technology made it extremely easy to get information in Seconds: a good or bad development?
• The Misconception of Gauging Intelligence?
• How are Internet Search Engines changing us?
• The introduction of ICT and new technologies in Education and How they improve Students’ learning
• Is it worrisome that schools and Colleges now educate students via iPads, social media, Smart Boards, and other new Applications?
• Did the Digital Age trigger any loss of information and Unique Intelligence that conventional and Traditional Learning and research methods provided in the Old era?
• Do Search Engines and Web2 Platforms censor information, leave users blindsided, and Keep them in the Dark?
• Should Encyclopedia sites such as Wikipedia be Regulated because of the High Risk of it Providing Wrong Information to the Public?
• Are Blogs and Online Websites Better than Books?
• The Importance of Traditional Researching and learning in a Highly Digital World
• Do PDFs and Other Electronic Books Promote Short Attention Span?
• Are Tech-Savvy generations dumber or Smarter?
• Should Schools Become Fully Digitalized?

This article shows that technology research papers require a good understanding of technological and scientific concepts. That way, people can easily understand the basis of an assignment. They know how to draft the topic and scope. They also get excellent resources for completing the projects.

This article explained what technological research papers are. It explained how to write them and listed many topic examples people can use for their projects. Therefore, if you follow all the information discussed in this article, you will get top technology ideas for research.

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415 Research Question Examples Across 15 Disciplines

A research question is a clearly formulated query that delineates the scope and direction of an investigation. It serves as the guiding light for scholars, helping them to dissect, analyze, and comprehend complex phenomena. Beyond merely seeking answers, a well-crafted research question ensures that the exploration remains focused and goal-oriented.

The significance of framing a clear, concise, and researchable question cannot be overstated. A well-defined question not only clarifies the objective of the research but also determines the methodologies and tools a researcher will employ. A concise question ensures precision, eliminating the potential for ambiguity or misinterpretation. Furthermore, the question must be researchable—posing a question that is too broad, too subjective, or unanswerable can lead to inconclusive results or an endless loop of investigation. In essence, the foundation of any meaningful academic endeavor rests on the articulation of a compelling and achievable research question.

Research questions can be categorized based on their intent and the nature of the information they seek. Recognizing the different types is essential for crafting an effective inquiry and guiding the research process. Let's delve into the various categories:

• Descriptive Research Questions: These types of questions aim to outline and characterize specific phenomena or attributes. They seek to provide a clear picture of a situation or context without necessarily diving into causal relationships. For instance, a question like "What are the main symptoms of the flu?" is descriptive as it seeks to list the symptoms.
• Explanatory (or Causal) Research Questions: Explanatory questions delve deeper, trying to uncover the reasons or causes behind certain phenomena. They are particularly common in experimental research where researchers are attempting to establish cause-and-effect relationships. An example might be, "Does smoking increase the risk of lung cancer?"
• Exploratory Research Questions: As the name suggests, these questions are used when researchers are entering uncharted territories. They are designed to gather preliminary information on topics that haven't been studied extensively. A question like "How do emerging technologies impact remote tribal communities?" can be seen as exploratory if there's limited existing research on the topic.
• Comparative Research Questions: These questions are formulated when the objective is to compare two or more groups, conditions, or variables. Comparative questions might look like "How do test scores differ between students who study regularly and those who cram?"
• Predictive Research Questions: The goal here is to forecast or predict potential outcomes based on certain variables or conditions. Predictive research might pose questions such as "Based on current climate trends, how will average global temperatures change by 2050?"

Here are examples of research questions across various disciplines, shedding light on queries that stimulate intellectual curiosity and advancement. In this post, we will delve into disciplines ranging from the Natural Sciences, such as Physics and Biology, to the Social Sciences, including Sociology and Anthropology, as well as the Humanities, like Literature and Philosophy. We'll also explore questions from fields as varied as Health Sciences, Engineering, Business, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Education, Law, Agriculture, Arts, Computer Science, Architecture, and Languages. This comprehensive overview aims to illustrate the breadth and depth of inquiries that shape our world of knowledge.

Agriculture and forestry examples

Architecture and planning examples, arts and design examples, business and finance examples, computer science and informatics examples, education examples, engineering and technology examples, environmental sciences examples, health sciences examples, humanities examples, languages and linguistics examples, law examples, mathematics and statistics examples, natural sciences examples, social sciences examples.

• Descriptive: What are the primary factors that influence crop yield in temperate climates?
• Explanatory: Why do certain soil types yield higher grain production than others?
• Exploratory: How might new organic farming techniques influence soil health over a decade?
• Comparative: How do the growth rates differ between genetically modified and traditional corn crops?
• Predictive: Based on current climate models, how will changing rain patterns impact wheat production in the next 20 years?

Animal science

• Descriptive: What are the common behavioral traits of domesticated cattle in grass-fed conditions?
• Explanatory: Why do certain breeds of chickens have a higher egg production rate?
• Exploratory: What potential benefits could arise from integrating tech wearables in livestock management?
• Comparative: How does the milk yield differ between Holstein and Jersey cows when given the same diet?
• Predictive: How might increasing global temperatures influence the reproductive cycles of swine?

Aquaculture

• Descriptive: What are the most commonly farmed fish species in Southeast Asia?
• Explanatory: Why do shrimp farms have a higher disease outbreak rate compared to fish farms?
• Exploratory: How might innovative recirculating aquaculture systems revolutionize the industry's environmental impact?
• Comparative: How do growth rates of salmon differ between open-net pens and land-based tanks?
• Predictive: What will be the impact of ocean acidification on mollusk farming over the next three decades?
• Descriptive: What tree species dominate the temperate rainforests of North America?
• Explanatory: Why are certain tree species more resistant to pest infestations?
• Exploratory: What are the potential benefits of integrating drone technology in forest health monitoring?
• Comparative: How do deforestation rates compare between legally protected and unprotected areas in the Amazon?
• Predictive: Given increasing global demand for timber, how might tree populations in Siberia change in the next half-century?

Horticulture

• Descriptive: What are the common characteristics of plants suitable for urban vertical farming?
• Explanatory: Why do roses require specific pH levels in the soil for optimal growth?
• Exploratory: What potential methods might promote year-round vegetable farming in colder regions?
• Comparative: How does fruit yield differ between traditionally planted orchards and high-density planting systems?
• Predictive: How might changing global temperatures affect wine grape production in traditional regions?

Soil science

• Descriptive: What are the main components of loamy soil?
• Explanatory: Why does clay-rich soil retain more water compared to sandy soil?
• Exploratory: How might biochar applications transform nutrient availability in degraded soils?
• Comparative: How do nutrient levels vary between soils managed with organic versus inorganic fertilizers?
• Predictive: Based on current farming practices, how will soil quality in the Midwest U.S. evolve over the next 30 years?

Architectural design

• Descriptive: What are the dominant architectural styles of public buildings constructed in the 21st century?
• Explanatory: Why do certain architectural elements from classical periods continue to influence modern designs?
• Exploratory: How might sustainable materials revolutionize the future of architectural design?
• Comparative: How do energy consumption levels differ between buildings with passive design elements and those without?
• Predictive: Based on urbanization trends, how will the design of residential buildings evolve in the next two decades?

Landscape architecture

• Descriptive: What are the primary components of a successful urban park design?
• Explanatory: Why do certain types of vegetation promote greater biodiversity in urban settings?
• Exploratory: What innovative techniques can be employed to restore and integrate wetlands into urban landscapes?
• Comparative: How does visitor satisfaction vary between nature-inspired landscapes and more structured, geometric designs?
• Predictive: With the effects of climate change, how might coastal landscape architecture adapt to rising sea levels over the coming century?

Urban planning

• Descriptive: What are the main components of a pedestrian-friendly city center?
• Explanatory: Why do certain urban layouts promote more efficient traffic flow than others?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of vertical farming impact urban food security and cityscape aesthetics?
• Comparative: How do the air quality levels differ between cities with green belts and those without?
• Predictive: Based on increasing telecommuting trends, how will urban planning strategies adjust to potentially reduced daily commutes in the future?

Graphic design

• Descriptive: What are the prevailing typography trends in modern branding?
• Explanatory: Why do certain color schemes evoke specific emotions or perceptions in consumers?
• Exploratory: How is augmented reality reshaping the landscape of interactive graphic design?
• Comparative: How do print and digital designs differ in terms of elements and principles when targeting a young adult audience?
• Predictive: Based on evolving digital platforms, what are potential future trends in web design aesthetics?

Industrial design

• Descriptive: What characterizes the ergonomic features of leading office chairs in the market?
• Explanatory: Why have minimalist designs become more prevalent in consumer electronics over the past decade?
• Exploratory: How might bio-inspired design influence the future of transportation vehicles?
• Comparative: How does user satisfaction differ between traditional versus modular product designs?
• Predictive: Given the push towards sustainability, how will material selection evolve in the next decade of product design?

Multimedia arts

• Descriptive: What techniques define the most popular virtual reality (VR) experiences currently available?
• Explanatory: Why do certain sound designs enhance immersion in video games more effectively than others?
• Exploratory: How might holographic technologies revolutionize stage performances or public installations in the future?
• Comparative: How do user engagement levels differ between 2D animations and 3D animations in educational platforms?
• Predictive: With the rise of augmented reality (AR) wearables, what might be the next frontier in multimedia art installations?

Performing arts

• Descriptive: What styles of dance are currently predominant in global theater productions?
• Explanatory: Why do certain rhythms or beats universally resonate with audiences across cultures?
• Exploratory: How might digital avatars or AI entities play roles in future theatrical performances?
• Comparative: How does audience reception differ between traditional plays and experimental, interactive performances?
• Predictive: Considering global digitalization, how might virtual theaters redefine the experience of live performances in the future?

Visual arts

• Descriptive: What themes are prevalent in contemporary art exhibitions worldwide?
• Explanatory: Why have mixed media installations gained prominence in the 21st-century art scene?
• Exploratory: How is the intersection of technology and art opening new mediums or platforms for artists?
• Comparative: How do traditional painting techniques, such as oil and watercolor, contrast in terms of texture and luminosity?
• Predictive: With the evolution of digital art platforms, how might the definition and appreciation of "original" artworks change in the coming years?

Entrepreneurship

• Descriptive: What are the main challenges faced by startups in the tech industry?
• Explanatory: Why do some entrepreneurial ventures succeed while others fail within their first five years?
• Exploratory: How are emerging digital platforms reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape?
• Comparative: How do funding opportunities for entrepreneurs differ between North America and Europe?
• Predictive: What sectors are predicted to see the most startup growth in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary sources of external funding for large corporations?
• Explanatory: Why did the stock market experience a significant drop in Q4 2022?
• Exploratory: How might blockchain technology revolutionize the future of banking?
• Comparative: How do the financial markets in developing countries compare to those in developed countries?
• Predictive: Based on current economic indicators, what is the forecasted health of the global economy for the next five years?

Human resources

• Descriptive: What are the most sought-after employee benefits in the tech industry?
• Explanatory: Why is there a high turnover rate in the retail sector?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of remote work affect HR practices in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do HR practices in multinational corporations differ from those in local companies?
• Predictive: What skills will be in highest demand in the workforce by 2030?
• Descriptive: What are the core responsibilities of middle management in large manufacturing firms?
• Explanatory: Why do some management strategies fail in diverse cultural environments?
• Exploratory: How are companies adapting their management structures in response to the gig economy?
• Comparative: How does management style in Eastern companies compare with Western businesses?
• Predictive: How might artificial intelligence reshape management practices in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the most effective digital marketing channels for e-commerce businesses?
• Explanatory: Why did a particular viral marketing campaign succeed in reaching a global audience?
• Exploratory: How might virtual reality change the landscape of product advertising?
• Comparative: How do marketing strategies differ between B2B and B2C sectors?
• Predictive: What consumer behaviors are forecasted to dominate online shopping trends in the next five years?

Operations research

• Descriptive: What are the primary optimization techniques used in supply chain management?
• Explanatory: Why do certain optimization algorithms perform better in specific industries?
• Exploratory: How can quantum computing impact the future of operations research?
• Comparative: How does operations strategy differ between service and manufacturing industries?
• Predictive: Based on current technological advancements, how might automation reshape supply chain strategies by 2035?

Artificial intelligence

• Descriptive: What are the primary algorithms used in deep learning?
• Explanatory: Why do certain neural network architectures outperform others in image recognition tasks?
• Exploratory: How might quantum computing influence the development of AI models?
• Comparative: How do reinforcement learning methods compare to supervised learning in game playing scenarios?
• Predictive: Based on current trends, how will AI impact the job market over the next decade?

Cybersecurity

• Descriptive: What are the most common types of cyberattacks reported in 2022?
• Explanatory: Why are certain industries more vulnerable to ransomware attacks?
• Exploratory: How might advances in quantum computing challenge existing encryption methods?
• Comparative: How do open-source software vulnerabilities compare to those in proprietary systems?
• Predictive: Given emerging technologies, what types of cyber threats will likely dominate in the next five years?

Data science

• Descriptive: What are the main tools used by data scientists in large-scale data analysis?
• Explanatory: Why does algorithm X yield more accurate predictions than algorithm Y for certain datasets?
• Exploratory: How can machine learning models improve real-time data processing in IoT devices?
• Comparative: How does the performance of traditional statistical models compare to machine learning models in predicting stock prices?
• Predictive: Based on current data trends, what industries will likely benefit the most from data analytics advancements in the coming decade?

Information systems

• Descriptive: What are the core components of a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system?
• Explanatory: Why have cloud-based information systems seen a rapid adoption rate in recent years?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of blockchain technology revolutionize supply chain information systems?
• Comparative: How do information system strategies differ between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retailers?
• Predictive: Given the rise of remote work, how will information systems evolve to support decentralized teams in the future?

Software engineering

• Descriptive: What are the standard practices in agile software development?
• Explanatory: Why do some software projects face significant delays despite rigorous planning?
• Exploratory: How are emerging programming languages shaping the future of software development?
• Comparative: How does the software development lifecycle in startup environments compare to that in large corporations?
• Predictive: Based on current development trends, which software platforms are forecasted to dominate market share by 2030?

Adult education

• Descriptive: What are the primary motivations behind adults seeking further education later in life?
• Explanatory: Why do some adult education programs have a higher success rate compared to others?
• Exploratory: How might online learning platforms revolutionize adult education in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do adult education methodologies differ from traditional collegiate teaching techniques?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how will the demand for adult education courses change in the upcoming years?

Curriculum studies

• Descriptive: What are the core components of a modern high school curriculum in the United States?
• Explanatory: Why have certain subjects, like financial literacy, become more emphasized in recent curriculum updates?
• Exploratory: How can interdisciplinary studies be better incorporated into traditional curricula?
• Comparative: How does the math curriculum in the US compare to that in other developed countries?
• Predictive: Based on pedagogical research, what subjects are forecasted to gain prominence in curricula over the next decade?

Educational administration

• Descriptive: What are the main responsibilities of a school principal in large urban schools?
• Explanatory: Why do some schools consistently perform better in standardized testing than others, despite similar resources?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies shape the administrative tasks of educational institutions in the future?
• Comparative: How does school administration differ between private and public educational institutions?
• Predictive: Given the rise of online education, how will the role of educational administrators evolve in the coming years?

Educational psychology

• Descriptive: What cognitive strategies are commonly used by students to enhance memory retention during studies?
• Explanatory: Why do certain teaching methodologies resonate better with students having specific learning styles?
• Exploratory: How can insights from behavioral psychology improve student engagement in virtual classrooms?
• Comparative: How does the motivation level of students differ between self-paced versus instructor-led courses?
• Predictive: With the increasing integration of technology in education, how will student learning behaviors change in the next decade?

Special education

• Descriptive: What interventions are commonly used to support students with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive classrooms?
• Explanatory: Why do some special education programs yield better academic outcomes for students with specific learning disabilities?
• Exploratory: How can augmented reality technologies be utilized to enhance learning for students with visual impairments?
• Comparative: How does special education support differ between urban and rural school districts?
• Predictive: Based on advancements in assistive technologies, how will the landscape of special education transform in the near future?

Aerospace engineering

• Descriptive: What are the key materials and technologies utilized in modern spacecraft design?
• Explanatory: Why are certain alloys preferred in high-temperature aerospace applications?
• Exploratory: How might advances in propulsion technologies revolutionize space travel in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do commercial aircraft designs differ from military aircraft designs in terms of aerodynamics?
• Predictive: Given current research trends, how will the efficiency of jet engines change in the upcoming years?

Biomedical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles behind the design of modern prosthetic limbs?
• Explanatory: Why have bio-compatible materials like titanium become crucial in implantable medical devices?
• Exploratory: How can nanotechnology be leveraged to improve drug delivery systems in the future?
• Comparative: How do MRI machines differ from CT scanners in terms of their underlying technology and application?
• Predictive: Based on emerging trends, how will wearable health monitors evolve in the next decade?

Chemical engineering

• Descriptive: What processes are involved in the large-scale production of ethylene?
• Explanatory: Why is distillation the most common separation method in the petroleum industry?
• Exploratory: How might green chemistry principles transform traditional chemical manufacturing processes?
• Comparative: How does the production of biofuels compare to traditional fossil fuels in terms of yield and environmental impact?
• Predictive: Given global sustainability goals, how will the chemical industry's reliance on fossil resources shift in the future?

Civil engineering

• Descriptive: What are the primary considerations in the structural design of skyscrapers in earthquake-prone regions?
• Explanatory: Why are steel-reinforced concrete beams commonly used in bridge construction?
• Exploratory: How can smart city concepts influence the infrastructure planning of urban centers in the future?
• Comparative: How do tunneling methods differ between soft soil and hard rock terrains?
• Predictive: With the increasing threat of climate change, how will coastal infrastructure design criteria change to account for rising sea levels?

Computer engineering

• Descriptive: What are the main components of a modern central processing unit (CPU) and their functions?
• Explanatory: Why is silicon predominantly used in semiconductor manufacturing?
• Exploratory: How might quantum computing redefine the landscape of traditional computing architectures?
• Comparative: How do solid-state drives (SSDs) compare to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in terms of performance and longevity?
• Predictive: Given advancements in chip miniaturization, how will the form factor of consumer electronics evolve in the coming years?

Electrical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the standard stages involved in the transmission and distribution of electrical power?
• Explanatory: Why are transformers essential in the power distribution network?
• Exploratory: How can emerging smart grid technologies improve the efficiency and reliability of electrical distribution systems?
• Comparative: How do AC and DC transmission methods differ in terms of efficiency and infrastructure requirements?
• Predictive: With the rise of renewable energy sources, how will power grid management complexities change in the next decade?

Mechanical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the fundamental principles behind the operation of a four-stroke internal combustion engine?
• Explanatory: Why are certain polymers used as vibration dampeners in machinery?
• Exploratory: How might advancements in materials science impact the design of future automotive systems?
• Comparative: How do hydraulic systems compare to pneumatic systems in terms of energy efficiency and application?
• Predictive: With the push towards sustainability, how will traditional manufacturing methods evolve to reduce their carbon footprint?

Climatology

• Descriptive: What are the primary factors that influence the El Niño and La Niña phenomena?
• Explanatory: Why have certain regions experienced more intense and frequent heatwaves in the past decade?
• Exploratory: How might changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations impact global wind patterns in the future?
• Comparative: How do urban areas differ from rural areas in terms of microclimate conditions?
• Predictive: Given current greenhouse gas emission trends, what will be the average global temperature increase by the end of the century?

Conservation science

• Descriptive: What are the primary threats faced by tropical rainforests around the world?
• Explanatory: Why are certain species more vulnerable to habitat fragmentation than others?
• Exploratory: How can community involvement enhance conservation efforts in protected areas?
• Comparative: How does the effectiveness of in-situ conservation compare to ex-situ conservation for endangered species?
• Predictive: If current deforestation rates continue, how many species are predicted to go extinct in the next 50 years?
• Descriptive: What are the dominant flora and fauna in a temperate deciduous forest biome?
• Explanatory: Why do certain ecosystems, like wetlands, have higher biodiversity than others?
• Exploratory: How might the spread of invasive species alter nutrient cycling in freshwater lakes?
• Comparative: How do the trophic dynamics of grassland ecosystems differ from those of desert ecosystems?
• Predictive: How will global ecosystems change if bee populations continue to decline at current rates?

Environmental health

• Descriptive: What are the major pollutants found in urban air?
• Explanatory: Why do certain pollutants cause respiratory diseases in humans?
• Exploratory: How might green building designs reduce the health risks associated with indoor air pollutants?
• Comparative: How do the health impacts of living near coal-fired power plants compare to living near nuclear power plants?
• Predictive: Given increasing urbanization trends, how will air quality in major cities change over the next two decades?

Marine biology

• Descriptive: What are the primary species that comprise a coral reef ecosystem?
• Explanatory: Why are coral reefs particularly sensitive to changes in sea temperature?
• Exploratory: How might deep-sea exploration reveal unknown marine species and their adaptations?
• Comparative: How do the feeding strategies of pelagic fish differ from benthic fish in oceanic ecosystems?
• Predictive: If ocean acidification trends continue, what will be the impact on shell-forming marine organisms in the next 30 years?
• Descriptive: What are the most common oral health issues faced by elderly individuals?
• Explanatory: Why do sugary foods lead to a higher prevalence of cavities?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies revolutionize dental procedures in the coming decade?
• Comparative: How do the effects of electric toothbrushes compare to manual ones in reducing plaque?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how might the prevalence of gum diseases change in populations with increased sugar consumption over the next decade?

Kinesiology

• Descriptive: What are the primary physiological changes that occur during aerobic exercise?
• Explanatory: Why do some athletes experience muscle cramps during extensive physical activity?
• Exploratory: How might different stretching routines impact athletic performance?
• Comparative: How do the biomechanics of running on a treadmill differ from running outdoors?
• Predictive: If sedentary lifestyles continue to rise, what could be the potential impact on musculoskeletal health in the next 20 years?
• Descriptive: What are the main symptoms associated with the early stages of Parkinson's disease?
• Explanatory: Why are some viruses, like the flu, more prevalent in colder months?
• Exploratory: How might genetic editing technologies, like CRISPR, be utilized to treat hereditary diseases in the future?
• Comparative: How does the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy compare to targeted therapy in treating certain cancers?
• Predictive: Given advances in telemedicine, how might patient-doctor interactions evolve over the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary responsibilities of nurses in intensive care units?
• Explanatory: Why is there a higher burnout rate among nurses compared to other healthcare professionals?
• Exploratory: How can training programs be improved to better equip nurses for challenges in emergency situations?
• Comparative: How does the patient recovery rate differ when cared for by specialized nurses versus general ward nurses?
• Predictive: How will the role of nurses change with the integration of more AI-based diagnostic tools in hospitals?
• Descriptive: What are the main nutritional components of a Mediterranean diet?
• Explanatory: Why does a diet high in processed sugars lead to increased risks of type 2 diabetes?
• Exploratory: How might gut microbiota be influenced by various diets and what are the potential health implications?
• Comparative: How does the nutritional profile of plant-based proteins compare to animal-based proteins?
• Predictive: If global meat consumption trends continue, what could be the implications for population-wide nutritional health in 30 years?
• Descriptive: What are the primary active ingredients in over-the-counter pain relievers?
• Explanatory: Why do certain medications cause drowsiness as a side effect?
• Exploratory: How might nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enhance the efficacy of certain treatments?
• Comparative: How do the effects of generic drugs compare to their brand-name counterparts?
• Predictive: Given the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how might pharmaceutical approaches to bacterial infections change in the future?

Public health

• Descriptive: What are the main factors contributing to public health disparities in urban vs rural areas?
• Explanatory: Why did certain regions have higher transmission rates during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Exploratory: How can community engagement strategies be optimized for more effective health campaigns?
• Comparative: How do vaccination rates and outcomes differ between countries with public vs private healthcare systems?
• Predictive: Based on current trends, how will global public health challenges evolve over the next 50 years?

Art history

• Descriptive: What are the primary artistic styles observed in the Renaissance era?
• Explanatory: Why did the Baroque art movement emerge after the Renaissance?
• Exploratory: How might newly discovered ancient art pieces reshape our understanding of prehistoric artistic practices?
• Comparative: How does European Romantic art differ from Asian Romantic art of the same period?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how might digital art impact traditional art gallery setups in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary themes in Homer's "Odyssey"?
• Explanatory: Why did Greek tragedies place a strong emphasis on the concept of fate?
• Exploratory: Are there undiscovered works that might provide more insight into daily life in ancient Rome?
• Comparative: How do Roman epics compare to their Greek counterparts in terms of character development?
• Predictive: How will emerging technologies like virtual reality affect the study of ancient ruins?

Cultural studies

• Descriptive: How is the concept of family portrayed in contemporary American media?
• Explanatory: Why has the influence of Western culture grown in certain Eastern countries over the last century?
• Exploratory: What are the emerging subcultures in the digital age and how do they communicate?
• Comparative: How does the representation of masculinity vary between Eastern and Western films?
• Predictive: In what ways might globalization affect cultural identities in the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What events led to the fall of the Berlin Wall?
• Explanatory: Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain?
• Exploratory: Are there undocumented civilizational interactions in ancient times that new archaeological findings might reveal?
• Comparative: How did the responses to the Black Plague differ between European and Asian nations?
• Predictive: Given historical patterns, how might major global powers react to dwindling natural resources in the future?
• Descriptive: What are the main narrative techniques used in James Joyce's "Ulysses"?
• Explanatory: Why did the Gothic novel become popular in 19th-century England?
• Exploratory: How might translations of ancient texts reveal different interpretations based on the translator's cultural background?
• Comparative: How does the portrayal of war differ between post-WWII American and French literature?
• Predictive: How might the rise of AI-authored literature change the publishing industry?
• Descriptive: What are the core principles of existentialism as described by Jean-Paul Sartre?
• Explanatory: Why did the philosophy of existentialism gain prominence post-WWII?
• Exploratory: How might ancient Eastern philosophies provide insights into modern ethical dilemmas surrounding technology?
• Comparative: How does Nietzsche's concept of the "Ubermensch" compare to Aristotle's "virtuous person"?
• Predictive: As AI becomes more prevalent, how might philosophical discussions around consciousness evolve?

Religious studies

• Descriptive: What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
• Explanatory: Why did Protestantism emerge within Christianity during the 16th century?
• Exploratory: Are there common motifs in creation myths across various religions?
• Comparative: How do concepts of the afterlife compare between Christianity, Buddhism, and Ancient Egyptian beliefs?
• Predictive: How might interfaith dialogue shape religious practices in multi-faith societies over the next decade?

Classic languages

• Descriptive: What are the primary grammatical structures in Ancient Greek?
• Explanatory: Why did Latin play a foundational role in the development of many modern European languages?
• Exploratory: Are there yet-to-be-deciphered scripts from ancient civilizations that might provide insight into lost languages?
• Comparative: How do the verb conjugation patterns in Latin compare to those in Sanskrit?
• Predictive: Given the ongoing research in classical studies, how might our understanding of certain ancient texts change in the next decade?

Comparative literature

• Descriptive: What are the main themes in Japanese Haiku and English Sonnets?
• Explanatory: Why do certain folklore tales appear with variations across different cultures?
• Exploratory: How might newly translated works from lesser-known languages reshape the world literature canon?
• Comparative: How does the role of the tragic hero in French literature differ from its portrayal in Russian literature?
• Predictive: As global communication becomes more interconnected, how might the study of world literature evolve in universities?

Modern languages

• Descriptive: What are the primary tonal patterns observed in Mandarin Chinese?
• Explanatory: Why has English become a dominant lingua franca in international business and diplomacy?
• Exploratory: Which lesser-studied languages might become more prominent due to socio-political changes in their regions?
• Comparative: How do the grammatical complexities of Russian compare to those of German?
• Predictive: Given current global trends, which languages are predicted to become more widely spoken in the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What are the primary articulatory features of plosive sounds?
• Explanatory: Why do certain accents develop specific pitch fluctuations and intonations?
• Exploratory: How do various environmental factors affect vocal cord vibrations and sound production?
• Comparative: How does the pronunciation of fricatives differ between Spanish and Portuguese speakers?
• Predictive: How might advancements in voice recognition technology influence phonetics research in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary signs and symbols used in American road signage?
• Explanatory: Why do red roses universally symbolize love or passion in many cultures?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging symbols in digital communication that could become universally recognized signs in the future?
• Comparative: How do the semiotic structures in print advertisements differ between Western and Eastern cultures?
• Predictive: As emoji usage becomes more widespread, how might they impact written language semantics in the coming years?
• Descriptive: What are the key statutes governing tenant rights in residential leases?
• Explanatory: Why do personal injury claims vary significantly in settlement amounts even under similar circumstances?
• Exploratory: How might alternative dispute resolution mechanisms evolve in civil law contexts over the next decade?
• Comparative: How do defamation laws differ between jurisdictions that adopt the British common law system versus the Napoleonic code?
• Predictive: How might the rise of online transactions affect the volume and nature of civil law cases related to contract disputes?

Constitutional law

• Descriptive: What are the main principles enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?
• Explanatory: Why have some constitutional rights been subject to varying interpretations over time?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging debates around digital rights and freedoms that might reshape constitutional interpretations in the future?
• Comparative: How does the protection of freedom of speech differ between the U.S. Constitution and the German Basic Law?
• Predictive: Given global socio-political trends, how might constitutional democracies adjust their foundational texts in the next two decades?

Corporate law

• Descriptive: What are the primary duties and liabilities of a board of directors in a publicly traded company?
• Explanatory: Why do mergers and acquisitions often involve extensive due diligence processes?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of digital currencies impact the regulatory landscape for corporations in the finance sector?
• Comparative: How does the legal framework for shareholder rights in the U.S. compare to that of Japan?
• Predictive: How might changing global trade dynamics influence corporate structuring and international partnerships?

Criminal law

• Descriptive: What constitutes first-degree murder in the majority of jurisdictions?
• Explanatory: Why are certain offenses classified as misdemeanors while others are felonies?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging patterns in cybercrime that suggest new areas of legal vulnerability?
• Comparative: How does the treatment of juvenile offenders differ between Scandinavian countries and the U.S.?
• Predictive: Given advancements in technology, how might criminal law evolve to address potential misuses of artificial intelligence?

International law

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles of the Geneva Conventions?
• Explanatory: Why have some nations refused to recognize or be bound by certain international treaties?
• Exploratory: How might global climate change reshape international agreements and treaties in the coming years?
• Comparative: How do regional trade agreements in Africa compare to those in Southeast Asia in terms of provisions and enforcement mechanisms?
• Predictive: How might geopolitical shifts influence the role and effectiveness of international courts in resolving state disputes?

Applied mathematics

• Descriptive: What are the primary mathematical models used to predict the spread of infectious diseases?
• Explanatory: Why does the Navier–Stokes equation play a pivotal role in fluid dynamics?
• Exploratory: How might new computational methods enhance the efficiency of existing algorithms in applied mathematics?
• Comparative: How do optimization techniques in operations research differ from those in machine learning applications?
• Predictive: Given the rapid growth of quantum computing, how might it reshape the landscape of applied mathematical problems in the next decade?

Applied statistics

• Descriptive: What are the standard procedures for handling missing data in a large-scale survey?
• Explanatory: Why do statisticians use bootstrapping techniques in hypothesis testing?
• Exploratory: How might emerging data sources, like wearables and IoT devices, introduce new challenges and opportunities in applied statistics?
• Comparative: How does the performance of Bayesian methods compare to frequentist methods in complex hierarchical models?
• Predictive: With the increasing availability of big data, how might the role of applied statisticians evolve in the next five years?

Pure mathematics

• Descriptive: What are the axioms underpinning Euclidean geometry?
• Explanatory: Why is Gödel's incompleteness theorem considered a foundational result in the philosophy of mathematics?
• Exploratory: Are there newly emerging areas of study within number theory due to advancements in computational mathematics?
• Comparative: How do algebraic structures differ between rings and fields?
• Predictive: Considering current research trends, what areas of pure mathematics are poised for significant breakthroughs in the next decade?

Theoretical statistics

• Descriptive: What foundational principles underlie the Central Limit Theorem?
• Explanatory: Why is the concept of sufficiency crucial in the design of statistical tests?
• Exploratory: How might advances in artificial intelligence influence theoretical developments in statistical inference?
• Comparative: How do likelihood-based inference methods compare to Bayesian methods in terms of theoretical underpinnings?
• Predictive: As data generation mechanisms evolve, how might the theoretical foundations of statistics need to adapt in the future?
• Descriptive: What are the key features and behaviors of black holes?
• Explanatory: Why does the expansion of the universe appear to be accelerating?
• Exploratory: What potential insights might the study of exoplanets provide about the conditions necessary for life?
• Comparative: How do the properties of spiral galaxies differ from those of elliptical galaxies?
• Predictive: Based on current data, what are the projected future behaviors of our sun as it ages?
• Descriptive: What are the primary functions and structures of ribosomes in a cell?
• Explanatory: Why does DNA replication occur semi-conservatively?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies like CRISPR redefine our understanding of genetic engineering?
• Comparative: How do the metabolic processes of prokaryotic cells differ from those of eukaryotic cells?
• Predictive: Given the current trajectory of climate change, how might the biodiversity in tropical rainforests be affected over the next century?
• Descriptive: What are the key properties and uses of the noble gases?
• Explanatory: Why do exothermic reactions release heat?
• Exploratory: How might advances in nanochemistry influence drug delivery systems?
• Comparative: How do ionic bonds differ in strength and characteristics from covalent bonds?
• Predictive: Considering the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how might the field of medicinal chemistry adapt to produce effective treatments in the future?

Earth science

• Descriptive: What are the primary layers of Earth's atmosphere and their respective characteristics?
• Explanatory: Why do certain regions experience more seismic activity than others?
• Exploratory: How might the study of ancient ice cores provide insights into past climate conditions?
• Comparative: How do the processes of weathering differ between arid and humid climates?
• Predictive: Given current data on deforestation, what could be its impact on global soil quality and erosion patterns over the next 50 years?
• Descriptive: What are the fundamental principles underlying quantum mechanics?
• Explanatory: Why does the speed of light in a vacuum remain constant regardless of the observer's frame of reference?
• Exploratory: How might studies in string theory reshape our understanding of the universe at the smallest scales?
• Comparative: How do the effects of general relativity contrast with predictions from Newtonian physics under extreme gravitational conditions?
• Predictive: With advancements in particle physics, what potential new particles or phenomena might be discovered in the next decade?

Anthropology

• Descriptive: What are the primary rituals and customs of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon?
• Explanatory: Why did the ancient Mayan civilization collapse?
• Exploratory: How might modern urbanization impact the preservation of ancient burial sites?
• Comparative: How do hunter-gatherer societies differ from agricultural societies in terms of social structures?
• Predictive: Given global trends, how might indigenous cultures evolve over the next century?

Communication

• Descriptive: What are the main modes of communication used by millennials compared to baby boomers?
• Explanatory: Why has the usage of social media platforms surged in the last two decades?
• Exploratory: How might advancements in virtual reality reshape interpersonal communication in the future?
• Comparative: How do written communication skills differ between those educated in traditional schools versus online schools?
• Predictive: How might the nature of journalism change with the rise of automated content generation?
• Descriptive: What are the primary components of a nation's gross domestic product (GDP)?
• Explanatory: Why did the economic recession of 2008 occur?
• Exploratory: How might the concept of universal basic income impact labor market dynamics?
• Comparative: How do free market economies differ from command economies in terms of resource allocation?
• Predictive: Based on current global economic trends, which industries are predicted to boom in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the geographical features of the Himalayan mountain range?
• Explanatory: Why do desert regions exist on the western coasts of continents, such as the Atacama in South America?
• Exploratory: How might rising sea levels reshape the world's coastlines over the next century?
• Comparative: How does urban planning in European cities differ from that in American cities?
• Predictive: Given current urbanization rates, which cities are poised to become megacities by 2050?

Political science

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles of a parliamentary democracy?
• Explanatory: Why do certain nations adopt federal systems while others prefer unitary systems?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of populism influence global diplomatic relations in the 21st century?
• Comparative: How do the rights of citizens in liberal democracies differ from those in authoritarian regimes?
• Predictive: Based on current political trends, which nations might see significant shifts in governance models over the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What are the primary stages of cognitive development in children according to Piaget?
• Explanatory: Why do certain individuals develop phobias?
• Exploratory: How might emerging neuroscientific tools, like fMRI, alter our understanding of human emotions?
• Comparative: How do coping mechanisms differ between individuals with high resilience versus those with low resilience?
• Predictive: Given the rise in digital communication, how might human attention spans evolve in future generations?

Social work

• Descriptive: What are the core principles and practices in child protective services?
• Explanatory: Why do certain communities have higher rates of child neglect and abuse?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of artificial intelligence in social work affect decision-making in child welfare cases?
• Comparative: How do intervention strategies for substance abuse differ between urban and rural settings?
• Predictive: Based on current societal trends, what challenges might social workers face in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the defining characteristics of Generation Z as a social cohort?
• Explanatory: Why have nuclear families become less prevalent in Western societies?
• Exploratory: How might the widespread adoption of virtual realities impact social interactions and community structures in the future?
• Comparative: How do the roles and perceptions of elderly individuals differ between Eastern and Western societies?
• Predictive: Given the rise in remote work, how might urban and suburban living patterns change over the next three decades?

In synthesizing the vast range of research questions posed across diverse disciplines, it becomes clear that every academic field, from the humanities to the social sciences, offers unique perspectives and methodologies to uncover and understand various facets of our world. These questions, whether descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, comparative, or predictive, serve as guiding lights, driving scholarship and innovation. As academia continues to evolve and adapt, these inquiries not only define the boundaries of current knowledge but also pave the way for future discoveries and insights, emphasizing the invaluable role of continuous inquiry in the ever-evolving tapestry of human understanding.

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Home » Research Questions – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Research Questions – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

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Research Questions

Definition:

Research questions are the specific questions that guide a research study or inquiry. These questions help to define the scope of the research and provide a clear focus for the study. Research questions are usually developed at the beginning of a research project and are designed to address a particular research problem or objective.

Types of Research Questions

Types of Research Questions are as follows:

Descriptive Research Questions

These aim to describe a particular phenomenon, group, or situation. For example:

• What are the characteristics of the target population?
• What is the prevalence of a particular disease in a specific region?

Exploratory Research Questions

These aim to explore a new area of research or generate new ideas or hypotheses. For example:

• What are the potential causes of a particular phenomenon?
• What are the possible outcomes of a specific intervention?

Explanatory Research Questions

These aim to understand the relationship between two or more variables or to explain why a particular phenomenon occurs. For example:

• What is the effect of a specific drug on the symptoms of a particular disease?
• What are the factors that contribute to employee turnover in a particular industry?

Predictive Research Questions

These aim to predict a future outcome or trend based on existing data or trends. For example :

• What will be the future demand for a particular product or service?
• What will be the future prevalence of a particular disease?

Evaluative Research Questions

These aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular intervention or program. For example:

• What is the impact of a specific educational program on student learning outcomes?
• What is the effectiveness of a particular policy or program in achieving its intended goals?

How to Choose Research Questions

Choosing research questions is an essential part of the research process and involves careful consideration of the research problem, objectives, and design. Here are some steps to consider when choosing research questions:

• Identify the research problem: Start by identifying the problem or issue that you want to study. This could be a gap in the literature, a social or economic issue, or a practical problem that needs to be addressed.
• Conduct a literature review: Conducting a literature review can help you identify existing research in your area of interest and can help you formulate research questions that address gaps or limitations in the existing literature.
• Define the research objectives : Clearly define the objectives of your research. What do you want to achieve with your study? What specific questions do you want to answer?
• Consider the research design : Consider the research design that you plan to use. This will help you determine the appropriate types of research questions to ask. For example, if you plan to use a qualitative approach, you may want to focus on exploratory or descriptive research questions.
• Ensure that the research questions are clear and answerable: Your research questions should be clear and specific, and should be answerable with the data that you plan to collect. Avoid asking questions that are too broad or vague.
• Get feedback : Get feedback from your supervisor, colleagues, or peers to ensure that your research questions are relevant, feasible, and meaningful.

How to Write Research Questions

Guide for Writing Research Questions:

• Start with a clear statement of the research problem: Begin by stating the problem or issue that your research aims to address. This will help you to formulate focused research questions.
• Use clear language : Write your research questions in clear and concise language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers.
• Be specific: Your research questions should be specific and focused. Avoid broad questions that are difficult to answer. For example, instead of asking “What is the impact of climate change on the environment?” ask “What are the effects of rising sea levels on coastal ecosystems?”
• Use appropriate question types: Choose the appropriate question types based on the research design and objectives. For example, if you are conducting a qualitative study, you may want to use open-ended questions that allow participants to provide detailed responses.
• Consider the feasibility of your questions : Ensure that your research questions are feasible and can be answered with the resources available. Consider the data sources and methods of data collection when writing your questions.
• Seek feedback: Get feedback from your supervisor, colleagues, or peers to ensure that your research questions are relevant, appropriate, and meaningful.

Examples of Research Questions

Some Examples of Research Questions with Research Titles:

Research Title: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

• Research Question : What is the relationship between social media use and mental health, and how does this impact individuals’ well-being?

Research Title: Factors Influencing Academic Success in High School

• Research Question: What are the primary factors that influence academic success in high school, and how do they contribute to student achievement?

Research Title: The Effects of Exercise on Physical and Mental Health

• Research Question: What is the relationship between exercise and physical and mental health, and how can exercise be used as a tool to improve overall well-being?

Research Title: Understanding the Factors that Influence Consumer Purchasing Decisions

• Research Question : What are the key factors that influence consumer purchasing decisions, and how do these factors vary across different demographics and products?

Research Title: The Impact of Technology on Communication

• Research Question : How has technology impacted communication patterns, and what are the effects of these changes on interpersonal relationships and society as a whole?

Research Title: Investigating the Relationship between Parenting Styles and Child Development

• Research Question: What is the relationship between different parenting styles and child development outcomes, and how do these outcomes vary across different ages and developmental stages?

Research Title: The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Treating Anxiety Disorders

• Research Question: How effective is cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders, and what factors contribute to its success or failure in different patients?

Research Title: The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity

• Research Question : How is climate change affecting global biodiversity, and what can be done to mitigate the negative effects on natural ecosystems?

Research Title: Exploring the Relationship between Cultural Diversity and Workplace Productivity

• Research Question : How does cultural diversity impact workplace productivity, and what strategies can be employed to maximize the benefits of a diverse workforce?

Research Title: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

• Research Question: How can artificial intelligence be leveraged to improve healthcare outcomes, and what are the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with its use?

Applications of Research Questions

Here are some of the key applications of research questions:

• Defining the scope of the study : Research questions help researchers to narrow down the scope of their study and identify the specific issues they want to investigate.
• Developing hypotheses: Research questions often lead to the development of hypotheses, which are testable predictions about the relationship between variables. Hypotheses provide a clear and focused direction for the study.
• Designing the study : Research questions guide the design of the study, including the selection of participants, the collection of data, and the analysis of results.
• Collecting data : Research questions inform the selection of appropriate methods for collecting data, such as surveys, interviews, or experiments.
• Analyzing data : Research questions guide the analysis of data, including the selection of appropriate statistical tests and the interpretation of results.
• Communicating results : Research questions help researchers to communicate the results of their study in a clear and concise manner. The research questions provide a framework for discussing the findings and drawing conclusions.

Characteristics of Research Questions

Characteristics of Research Questions are as follows:

• Clear and Specific : A good research question should be clear and specific. It should clearly state what the research is trying to investigate and what kind of data is required.
• Relevant : The research question should be relevant to the study and should address a current issue or problem in the field of research.
• Testable : The research question should be testable through empirical evidence. It should be possible to collect data to answer the research question.
• Concise : The research question should be concise and focused. It should not be too broad or too narrow.
• Feasible : The research question should be feasible to answer within the constraints of the research design, time frame, and available resources.
• Original : The research question should be original and should contribute to the existing knowledge in the field of research.
• Significant : The research question should have significance and importance to the field of research. It should have the potential to provide new insights and knowledge to the field.
• Ethical : The research question should be ethical and should not cause harm to any individuals or groups involved in the study.

Purpose of Research Questions

Research questions are the foundation of any research study as they guide the research process and provide a clear direction to the researcher. The purpose of research questions is to identify the scope and boundaries of the study, and to establish the goals and objectives of the research.

The main purpose of research questions is to help the researcher to focus on the specific area or problem that needs to be investigated. They enable the researcher to develop a research design, select the appropriate methods and tools for data collection and analysis, and to organize the results in a meaningful way.

Research questions also help to establish the relevance and significance of the study. They define the research problem, and determine the research methodology that will be used to address the problem. Research questions also help to determine the type of data that will be collected, and how it will be analyzed and interpreted.

Finally, research questions provide a framework for evaluating the results of the research. They help to establish the validity and reliability of the data, and provide a basis for drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on the findings of the study.

Advantages of Research Questions

There are several advantages of research questions in the research process, including:

• Focus : Research questions help to focus the research by providing a clear direction for the study. They define the specific area of investigation and provide a framework for the research design.
• Clarity : Research questions help to clarify the purpose and objectives of the study, which can make it easier for the researcher to communicate the research aims to others.
• Relevance : Research questions help to ensure that the study is relevant and meaningful. By asking relevant and important questions, the researcher can ensure that the study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and address important issues.
• Consistency : Research questions help to ensure consistency in the research process by providing a framework for the development of the research design, data collection, and analysis.
• Measurability : Research questions help to ensure that the study is measurable by defining the specific variables and outcomes that will be measured.
• Replication : Research questions help to ensure that the study can be replicated by providing a clear and detailed description of the research aims, methods, and outcomes. This makes it easier for other researchers to replicate the study and verify the results.

Limitations of Research Questions

Limitations of Research Questions are as follows:

• Subjectivity : Research questions are often subjective and can be influenced by personal biases and perspectives of the researcher. This can lead to a limited understanding of the research problem and may affect the validity and reliability of the study.
• Inadequate scope : Research questions that are too narrow in scope may limit the breadth of the study, while questions that are too broad may make it difficult to focus on specific research objectives.
• Unanswerable questions : Some research questions may not be answerable due to the lack of available data or limitations in research methods. In such cases, the research question may need to be rephrased or modified to make it more answerable.
• Lack of clarity : Research questions that are poorly worded or ambiguous can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. This can result in incomplete or inaccurate data, which may compromise the validity of the study.
• Difficulty in measuring variables : Some research questions may involve variables that are difficult to measure or quantify, making it challenging to draw meaningful conclusions from the data.
• Lack of generalizability: Research questions that are too specific or limited in scope may not be generalizable to other contexts or populations. This can limit the applicability of the study’s findings and restrict its broader implications.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Capstone and PICO Project Toolkit

• Starting a Project: Overview
• Developing a Research Question
• Selecting Databases
• Expanding a Search
• Refining/Narrowing a Search
• Saving Searches
• Critical Appraisal & Levels of Evidence
• Citing & Managing References
• Database Tutorials
• Types of Literature Reviews
• Finding Full Text
• Term Glossary

Defining the Question: Foreground & Background Questions

In order to most appropriately choose an information resource and craft a search strategy, it is necessary to consider what  kind  of question you are asking: a specific, narrow "foreground" question, or a broader background question that will help give context to your research?

Foreground Questions

A "foreground" question in health research is one that is relatively specific, and is usually best addressed by locating primary research evidence. 

Using a structured question framework can help you clearly define the concepts or variables that make up the specific research question. 

 Across most frameworks, you’ll often be considering:

• a who (who was studied - a population or sample)
• a what (what was done or examined - an intervention, an exposure, a policy, a program, a phenomenon)
• a how ([how] did the [what] affect the [who] - an outcome, an effect). 

PICO is the most common framework for developing a clinical research question, but multiple question frameworks exist.

PICO (Problem/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)

Appropriate for : clinical questions, often addressing the effect of an intervention/therapy/treatment

Example : For adolescents with type II diabetes (P) does the use of telehealth consultations (I) compared to in-person consultations  (C) improve blood sugar control  (O)?

Framing Different Types of Clinical Questions with PICO

Different types of clinical questions are suited to different syntaxes and phrasings, but all will clearly define the PICO elements.  The definitions and frames below may be helpful for organizing your question:

Intervention/Therapy

Questions addressing how a clinical issue, illness, or disability is treated.

"In__________________(P), how does__________________(I) compared to_________________(C) affect______________(O)?"

Questions that address the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder.

"Are_________________(P), who have_________________(I) compared with those without_________________(C) at_________________risk for/of_________________(O) over_________________(T)?" 

Questions addressing the act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation.

In_________________(P) are/is_________________(I) compared with_________________(C) more accurate in diagnosing_________________(O)?

Prognosis/Prediction:

Questions addressing the prediction of the course of a disease.

In_________________(P), how does_________________(I) compared to_________________ (C) influence_________________(O)?

Questions addressing how one experiences a phenomenon or why we need to approach practice differently.

"How do_________________(P) with_________________(I) perceive_________________(O)?" 

Adapted from: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Beyond PICO: Other Types of Question Frameworks

PICO is a useful framework for clinical research questions, but may not be appropriate for all kinds of reviews.  Also consider:

PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome)

Appropriate for : describing association between particular exposures/risk factors and outcomes

Example : How do  preparation programs (E) influence the development of teaching competence  (O) among novice nurse educators  (P)?

SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research Type)

Appropriate for : questions of experience or perspectives (questions that may be addressed by qualitative or mixed methods research)

Example : What are the experiences and perspectives (E) of  undergraduate nursing students  (S)  in clinical placements within prison healthcare settings (PI)?

SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention/phenomenon of Interest, Comparison, Evaluation)

Appropriate for : evaluating the outcomes of a service, project, or intervention

Example : What are the impacts and best practices for workplace (S) transition support programs (I) for the retention (E) of newly-hired, new graduate nurses (P)?

PCC (Problem/population, Concept, Context)

Appropriate for : broader (scoping) questions

Example : How do nursing schools  (Context) teach, measure, and maintain nursing students ' (P)  technological literacy  (Concept))throughout their educational programs?

Background Questions

To craft a strong and reasonable foreground research question, it is important to have a firm understanding of the concepts of interest.  As such, it is often necessary to ask background questions, which ask for more general, foundational knowledge about a disorder, disease, patient population, policy issue, etc. 

For example, consider the PICO question outlined above:

"For adolescents with type II diabetes does the use of telehealth consultations compared to in-person consultations  improve blood sugar control ?

To best make sense of the literature that might address this PICO question, you would also need a deep understanding of background questions like:

• What are the unique barriers or challenges related to blood sugar management in adolescents with TII diabetes?
• What are the measures of effective blood sugar control?
• What kinds of interventions would fall under the umbrella of 'telehealth'?
• What are the qualitative differences in patient experience in telehealth versus in-person interactions with healthcare providers?
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100+ Top Technology Research Topics for Students

When pursuing their studies, learners are required to write papers and essays on technology research topics. This is a major academic task that influences the final grade that learners graduate with. But, the grades that students score are largely dependent on the technology topics that they opt to write about. Technology is generally a broad study field. As such, choosing research topics on technology is not always easy. If struggling to choose a good technology research topic for your academic paper or essay, here are some of the best ideas to consider.

Trendy Technology Research Topics

Perhaps, you need a prominent research topic about technology. In that case, you should consider prominent technology research paper topics. Here are some of the most trendy topics about technology to consider.

• Technology use in education (here is our list of 110 topics in education research )
• Space and technology studies (check out our top 30 space research topics )
• Current and stunning developments in technology
• Shocking inventions in modern technology that most people don’t know yet
• What technologies can be considered harmful and destructive?
• How does technology affect people’s values and health?
• Can humans be replaced by robots completely in the workplace?
• How have different countries contributed to modern technology developments
• Transport safety and technology
• Discuss the scope of the use of nanotechnologies
• Discuss the use of technology in medicine
• Which technologies can influence human mental health?
• Discuss how technology is changing human life
• What are the positive effects of technologies on personal safety?
• How does technology affect personal safety negatively?
• Discuss how modern technology facilitates the improvement of educational processes
• How do modern technologies influence users’ mental health?
• Why are robots likely to replace humans in the workplace?
• How has technology influenced space travel?
• Is food preservation technology safe?

This category also includes some of the most controversial technology topics. Nevertheless, each topic should be researched extensively before writing a paper or an essay.

Interesting Information Technology Topics

If pursuing a college or university program in information technology, this category has some of the best options for you. Here are some of the best information technology research topics to consider.

• How useful is unlimited data storage?
• How can humans manage large amounts of information?
• How blurred is the line between the human brain and a computer?
• Is entertainment technology something good or bad?
• Discuss the differences between digital reading and print reading
• How does Google impact the attention span of young people?
• How important are traditional research skills in the current era of advanced information technologies?
• How credible is the information provided by different platforms on the internet?
• Do blogs and books compare?
• Should schools and guardians encourage or discourage the use of media by children?
• Does Google provide the best information when it prefers its specific brands?
• Are humans losing the intelligence developed via conventional reading and research in the current digital age?
• How important is learning to how use social media, iPads, and Smart Boards?
• Should modern technologies be incorporated into teaching?
• How has Google search changed humans?
• How is intelligence gauged by humans?
• Is online information format making the readers skim rather than digest information?
• Is the ease of finding information on the internet something bad or good?
• Is technology changing how people read?
• Can using information technology make you smarter?

Students have many information technology research paper topics to choose from. However, select a topic that you find interesting to research and write about.

Interesting Science and Technology Topics

Are you looking for a science and technology-related topics? If yes, consider topics in this category. Here are some of the most interesting topic ideas in science and technology.

• Discuss the greatest technological and scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century
• How significant is number 0 in science and technology?
• How important is the first black hole image?
• Discuss the unlimited fractals’ perimeter despite their limited area
• How can a person perform mental calculations rapidly?
• Discuss the fourth dimension
• Discuss the math behind the Draft lottery by the NBA
• Differentiate non-parametric and parametric statistics
• Discuss the concept of something being random or impossible to prove mathematically
• Discuss some of the greatest modern age mathematicians
• How are the latest automobile technology improvements protecting the environment?
• Why are Smartphones resistant to viruses and bugs in comparison to computers?
• Discuss the Internet of Things story
• What made vector graphics mainstream and not pixels?
• Discuss the latest technology advances that relate to medicine
• Describe Molten Salt Nuclear Reactors
• Is it possible to power everything with solar energy?
• Explain why smart electronics get slower with time
• Differentiate closed and open systems in technology
• Discuss the process of converting old recordings into new formats

This category has amazing topics on technology and science. Select an idea that you find interesting to research and write a paper or essay about.

The Best Computer Technology Topics

If you’re pursuing a program on computer technologies, you will find educational technology topics in this category very interesting. Here are some of the best topics for technology and computers to consider.

• How can you describe the Machine Learning future?
• Discuss computer science that will be the most important in the future
• Discuss how big data and bioinformatics change biology
• What is the borderline for hardware and software in cloud computing?
• How moving everything to the cloud affects human life?
• Can robots become more intelligent and like people with reinforced learning?
• How can computer programmers enhance device protection with open-source getting trendier?
• Is Google becoming the first machine learning firm?
• Explain machine learning in detail
• Discuss the importance of machine learning
• Which sectors does machine learning affect the most?
• How will virtualization change the entertainment industry?
• Describe virtualization
• Can virtual reality be something bad or good?
• How will virtual reality change education?
• What can humans expect from the internet?
• What improvements can be made on the internet?
• How are robots changing the health sector?
• Are humans yet to invent any computer language?
• What will happen if most tasks that are currently done by humans are taken over by computers?

These are great technology essay topics to consider if pursuing a computer technology program in college or university. They can also be great technology debate topics. Nevertheless, extensive research is required when writing about any of these technology essay topics.

Controversial Topics in Technology for Research Papers and Essays

Are you looking for interesting technology topics that your audience will love to read about? If yes, consider one of these technology controversy topics to research and write about.

• Do law enforcement cameras invade privacy?
• Does the technology age turn humans into zombies?
• Has technology advancement led to a throw-away society?
• How has cloud technology changed data storage?
• How have Smartphones reduced live communication?
• Our modern technologies changing teaching?
• How does the use of IT by construction companies lead to under-spending and recession?
• Discuss the technologies used by NASA to explore Mars
• How dangerous are cell phones?
• How does media technology affect child development?
• Is the use of technology in planning lessons good or bad?
• How does technology influence the educational system?
• Discuss the application of green technologies in engineering, architecture, and construction
• Can modern technologies like cryptocurrencies help in identity theft prevention?
• How can technology be used to enhance energy efficiency?
• How are self-driving cars likely to change human life?
• How did Steve Jobs and Bill Gates change the world with technology
• What is the impact of drone warfare on humans?
• Can the actual reality be substituted by virtual reality?
• Discuss the use of technologies and smart materials in road building

If looking for hot topics in technology, consider some of the ideas in this category. Nevertheless, you can also find technology persuasive speech topics here. That’s because this category has some of the most debatable topics. If you still don’t find a great idea from this list, consider technology security topics or contact our thesis writers . Remember that extensive research is required to write a great paper or essay regardless of the topic that you opt to write about.

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LBST 2301 (SOCY): Critical Thinking & Communication - Karen Cushing

• How to Develop a Research Question
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Popular vs. Scholarly Resources
• Annotated Bibliography
• Citing Your Sources

Developing a Research Question

Developing Strong Research Questions

A good research question is essential to guide your research paper, project or thesis. It pinpoints exactly what you want to find out and gives your work a clear focus and purpose. All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

In a research paper or essay, you will usually write a single research question to guide your reading and thinking. The answer that you develop is your thesis statement — the central assertion or position that your paper will argue for.

In a bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, you might have multiple research questions, but they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central research problem.

From: Scribbr

How to Write a Research Question

How to write a research question.

The process of developing your research question follows several steps:

• Choose a broad topic
• Do some preliminary reading to find out about topical debates and issues
• Narrow down a specific niche that you want to focus on
• Identify a practical or theoretical research problem that you will address

When you have a clearly-defined problem, you need to formulate one or more questions. Think about exactly what you want to know and how it will contribute to resolving the problem.

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126 Questions to Ask About Technology

Imagine a world teeming with innovation at every corner, where technology reshapes our reality every day. Asking questions about this digital landscape isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Let’s embark on a quest to uncover the heart of our high-tech existence, to not just exist but thrive alongside the machines of tomorrow.

Table of Contents

Understanding Technology Basics

• What is the definition of technology in modern society?
• How do software updates affect device performance?
• Can you explain what the cloud is and how it works?
• What is the importance of data encryption?
• How does artificial intelligence differ from human intelligence?
• What is an algorithm, and how is it used in technology?
• How do computers communicate with each other over the Internet?
• What is the function of an operating system?
• In what ways do hardware and software interact?
• How does Wi-Fi technology connect various devices?
• What is the Internet of Things (IoT), and why is it important?
• How do touchscreens work on our devices?
• What is the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality?
• How do QR codes store information?
• In simple terms, how does blockchain technology work?
• What is the role of open-source software in technology?
• How can machine learning impact our daily tasks?
• What is the significance of big data in technology?
• How are apps developed and maintained?
• What is 5G technology, and what are its potential impacts?
• How does technology process human language?

Technology in Our Daily Lives

• How has technology changed the way we communicate?
• In what ways has technology affected our work-life balance?
• How can technology help us manage our finances better?
• What role does technology play in modern education?
• How has technology influenced our shopping habits?
• What are the benefits of smart home devices?
• How do navigation systems calculate the best routes?
• How can wearable technology enhance our health monitoring?
• In what ways can technology help us be more environmentally friendly?
• How does social media influence our relationships and social interactions?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting?
• How do streaming services work to provide us with instant entertainment?
• What should I consider when setting up a smart home security system?
• How do online recommendation systems predict what we might like?
• What technologies exist to make driving safer and more efficient?
• How has technology made travel and holiday planning easier?
• What are the primary ways we can protect our privacy online?
• How does e-learning differ from traditional educational methods?
• In what ways has mobile technology changed personal communication?
• How have advancements in kitchen appliances made cooking easier?
• What is telehealth, and how is it revolutionizing healthcare?

Future of Technology and Innovation

• What emerging technologies could shape our future?
• How could autonomous vehicles transform transportation?
• In what ways might robotics change the workforce?
• What is the potential impact of gene editing technologies like CRISPR?
• How might quantum computing revolutionize data processing?
• What are the implications of nanotechnology in healthcare?
• How could space technology exploration benefit life on Earth?
• What role will artificial intelligence play in future job markets?
• How could renewable energy technologies affect climate change?
• What is the possibility of humans living in virtual reality worlds?
• How might smart cities improve urban living?
• Could technology be used to solve water scarcity issues?
• What is the potential of biometric technology for security?
• How might advancements in materials science enhance product sustainability?
• How will the Internet of Things (IoT) evolve in the next decade?
• What are the challenges of integrating augmented reality into daily life?
• How could blockchain technology be used outside of finance?
• What technological innovations are needed for Mars colonization?
• How might technology help in disaster prediction and response?
• What is the future of 3D printing in manufacturing and medicine?
• How can technology contribute to global food security?

Technology and Privacy Concerns

• How can individuals protect their personal information online?
• What are the risks associated with facial recognition technology?
• How does data mining affect consumer privacy?
• What should users know about the privacy policies of tech platforms?
• How are governments regulating tech companies’ use of data?
• Can encryption be too strong for law enforcement to bypass when necessary?
• What are the concerns around smart devices and surveillance?
• How can we balance technological convenience with privacy?
• What is doxxing, and how can people safeguard against it?
• What is the impact of data breaches on individuals and companies?
• How does the dark web pose privacy and security threats?
• How do social media platforms handle users’ data?
• What are the ethical implications of data collection in technology?
• How does location tracking by apps raise privacy issues?
• What privacy considerations should be made with the rise of telehealth services?
• What are the implications of sharing DNA with genetic testing services?
• How does ‘Sharenting’ affect children’s privacy on digital platforms?
• How do credit scoring systems use personal data, and what are the privacy implications?
• What is the concept of digital footprint and its significance to privacy?
• How does ad targeting work, and what does it mean for user privacy?
• How might future technologies challenge our notions of privacy?

Making Technology Choices

• How should I evaluate the necessity of a new tech gadget before buying it?
• What are the most important factors to consider when choosing software?
• How do I decide between proprietary software and open-source options?
• What sustainable technology options are available to consumers?
• How can technology help in achieving a minimalist lifestyle?
• What are the long-term cost implications of investing in smart home technology?
• What should be considered when choosing an internet service provider?
• How important are tech specs like processor speed and RAM in a new computer?
• How do I choose a smartphone that best fits my needs?
• What safety features should I look for in technology products for children?
• When is it worth it to upgrade to the latest tech model?
• How does one balance performance and cost when choosing technology?
• What role does compatibility play in selecting tech devices?
• How do I determine the best cloud storage service for my needs?
• What criteria should be used for selecting health-related tech devices?
• How can I assess the reliability of a technology brand?
• What are the considerations for tech usage in terms of ergonomics and health?
• How do I choose between different types of home automation systems?
• What factors should be considered when choosing between different gaming consoles?
• How does one navigate the vast array of app choices for a particular need?
• What questions should I ask a vendor when purchasing enterprise technology solutions?

Careers in Technology

• What educational background is beneficial for a career in technology?
• How can one stay updated on the latest technology skills and trends?
• What are the growing tech job markets and opportunities?
• How important is coding in a tech career, and which languages should I learn?
• What are the key differences between working at a startup and a large tech company?
• What are some common entry-level jobs in the tech industry?
• How can I transition from a non-tech career to a tech-related field?
• What soft skills are essential for success in a technology career?
• How can job seekers stand out in the competitive tech job market?
• What opportunities are there for remote work in the tech industry?
• How should I prepare for a technical job interview?
• What are the ethical considerations in tech-focused professions?
• What is the role of mentorship in developing a technology career?
• How can I make a positive social impact through a technology career?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of freelance tech work versus full-time employment?
• How can I contribute to open-source projects to enhance my tech career?
• What are the common career paths available in the cybersecurity field?
• How can diversity be increased in the tech industry?
• What certifications can boost a tech professional’s credentials?
• How does one navigate the potential for job automation in technology careers?
• What are the similarities and differences between tech career roles, such as developer, engineer, and technician?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some basic technology concepts everyone should know.

Understanding the basics of computing, internet connectivity, data security, and the difference between software and hardware is crucial in the digital age.

How has technology changed our lives?

Technology has revolutionized our lives in countless ways. Communication is instant and global thanks to email and smartphones. 

Access to information via the internet is unprecedented, transforming how we learn and work. Our health is monitored and improved through  wearable technology , and home automation systems enhance our safety and convenience.

With the digitalization of many services, tasks like shopping and banking can be done online, freeing up time and increasing efficiency.

How is technology affecting society?

Technology affects society by:

• Connecting people  thousands of miles apart, fostering a global community. • Enabling the collection and analysis of  big data , which influences decision-making in business, science, and politics. • Creating new jobs  while rendering some obsolete, altering the employment landscape. • Shaping the cultural narrative through platforms that facilitate content creation and sharing. • Raising ethical and privacy concerns , as the boundary between public and personal spaces blurs.

How will technology empower students to control their own learning?

Technology empowers students by:

• Providing  customized educational experiences  through adaptive learning platforms. • Facilitating access to a vast array of resources, including online libraries, educational apps, and interactive tools. • Allowing for  self-paced learning  where students set their own goals and schedules. • Encouraging collaborative projects  with peers across the globe through communication networks. • Offering real-world problem-solving via simulations and  virtual reality  experiences.

How does technology improve the environment?

Technology improves the environment by:

• Enabling more  efficient resource use reducing waste through smart systems. • Supporting the development and usage of  renewable energy sources  such as solar and wind power. • Providing data and monitoring tools for  tracking environmental changes  and implementing green initiatives. • Reducing the need for physical travel through telecommuting and video conferencing,  lowering carbon emissions . • Innovating with  materials science  to create products that are more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.

Will technology help us in the future?

Yes, technology holds the potential to help us in numerous ways in the future.

It promises to drive medical breakthroughs, improve quality of education, and continue to  facilitate connections  between individuals worldwide.

Automation and AI could  increase productivity  and offer solutions to complex societal problems.

However, its benefits will largely depend on how we address the accompanying challenges, like job displacement and privacy concerns, ensuring technology works for the betterment of all.

Final Thoughts

Stay curious, stay engaged, and use these questions to navigate the digital waves that surge around us. It’s our inquisitive nature that will continue to drive technological advancement and help us to harness its full potential responsibly.

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Jahrine Okutsu

Artificial Intelligence

Since the 1950s, scientists and engineers have designed computers to "think" by making decisions and finding patterns like humans do. In recent years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly powerful, propelling discovery across scientific fields and enabling researchers to delve into problems previously too complex to solve. Outside of science, artificial intelligence is built into devices all around us, and billions of people across the globe rely on it every day. Stories of artificial intelligence—from friendly humanoid robots to SkyNet—have been incorporated into some of the most iconic movies and books.

But where is the line between what AI can do and what is make-believe? How is that line blurring, and what is the future of artificial intelligence? At Caltech, scientists and scholars are working at the leading edge of AI research, expanding the boundaries of its capabilities and exploring its impacts on society. Discover what defines artificial intelligence, how it is developed and deployed, and what the field holds for the future.

Artificial Intelligence Terms to Know >

What Is AI ?

Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research as well as everyday life, from communications to transportation to health care and more. Explore what defines AI, how it has evolved since the Turing Test, and the future of artificial intelligence.

What Is the Difference Between "Artificial Intelligence" and "Machine Learning"?

The term "artificial intelligence" is older and broader than "machine learning." Learn how the terms relate to each other and to the concepts of "neural networks" and "deep learning."

How Do Computers Learn?

Machine learning applications power many features of modern life, including search engines, social media, and self-driving cars. Discover how computers learn to make decisions and predictions in this illustration of two key machine learning models.

How Is AI Applied in Everyday Life?

While scientists and engineers explore AI's potential to advance discovery and technology, smart technologies also directly influence our daily lives. Explore the sometimes surprising examples of AI applications.

What Is Big Data?

The increase in available data has fueled the rise of artificial intelligence. Find out what characterizes big data, where big data comes from, and how it is used.

Will Machines Become More Intelligent Than Humans?

Whether or not artificial intelligence will be able to outperform human intelligence—and how soon that could happen—is a common question fueled by depictions of AI in movies and other forms of popular culture. Learn the definition of "singularity" and see a timeline of advances in AI over the past 75 years.

How Does AI Drive Autonomous Systems?

Learn the difference between automation and autonomy, and hear from Caltech faculty who are pushing the limits of AI to create autonomous technology, from self-driving cars to ambulance drones to prosthetic devices.

Can We Trust AI?

As AI is further incorporated into everyday life, more scholars, industries, and ordinary users are examining its effects on society. The Caltech Science Exchange spoke with AI researchers at Caltech about what it might take to trust current and future technologies.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI applications such as ChatGPT, a chatbot that answers questions with detailed written responses; and DALL-E, which creates realistic images and art based on text prompts; became widely popular beginning in 2022 when companies released versions of their applications that members of the public, not just experts, could easily use.

Ask a Caltech Expert

Where can you find machine learning in finance? Could AI help nature conservation efforts? How is AI transforming astronomy, biology, and other fields? What does an autonomous underwater vehicle have to do with sustainability? Find answers from Caltech researchers.

Terms to Know

A set of instructions or sequence of steps that tells a computer how to perform a task or calculation. In some AI applications, algorithms tell computers how to adapt and refine processes in response to data, without a human supplying new instructions.

Artificial intelligence describes an application or machine that mimics human intelligence.

A system in which machines execute repeated tasks based on a fixed set of human-supplied instructions.

A system in which a machine makes independent, real-time decisions based on human-supplied rules and goals.

The massive amounts of data that are coming in quickly and from a variety of sources, such as internet-connected devices, sensors, and social platforms. In some cases, using or learning from big data requires AI methods. Big data also can enhance the ability to create new AI applications.

An AI system that mimics human conversation. While some simple chatbots rely on pre-programmed text, more sophisticated systems, trained on large data sets, are able to convincingly replicate human interaction.

Deep Learning

A subset of machine learning . Deep learning uses machine learning algorithms but structures the algorithms in layers to create "artificial neural networks." These networks are modeled after the human brain and are most likely to provide the experience of interacting with a real human.

Human in the Loop

An approach that includes human feedback and oversight in machine learning systems. Including humans in the loop may improve accuracy and guard against bias and unintended outcomes of AI.

Model (computer model)

A computer-generated simplification of something that exists in the real world, such as climate change , disease spread, or earthquakes . Machine learning systems develop models by analyzing patterns in large data sets. Models can be used to simulate natural processes and make predictions.

Neural Networks

Interconnected sets of processing units, or nodes, modeled on the human brain, that are used in deep learning to identify patterns in data and, on the basis of those patterns, make predictions in response to new data. Neural networks are used in facial recognition systems, digital marketing, and other applications.

Singularity

A hypothetical scenario in which an AI system develops agency and grows beyond human ability to control it.

Training data

The data used to " teach " a machine learning system to recognize patterns and features. Typically, continual training results in more accurate machine learning systems. Likewise, biased or incomplete datasets can lead to imprecise or unintended outcomes.

Turing Test

An interview-based method proposed by computer pioneer Alan Turing to assess whether a machine can think.

Dive Deeper

More Caltech Computer and Information Sciences Research Coverage

10 Best AI Search Engines: Ask AI Questions with Cutting-Edge Technology

By Jame Miller – On August 26, 2024 – Reading Time 4 minutes

The internet is vast, but finding specific information can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, AI search engines have emerged to streamline our quest for knowledge. Unique in their approach, these engines allow users to “ask AI” complex questions, receive precise answers, and experience a search revolution. Let’s explore the best platforms where you can pose your queries and expect intelligent responses.

1. HIX.AI – The Evolutionary Step in AI Search Engines

HIX.AI tops our list for its remarkable transition from an AI writing tool to a state-of-the-art AI search engine. This platform stands out for allowing a user-friendly interface that gracefully handles “ask AI” queries. Whether you require a quick fact-check or an in-depth exploration, HIX.AI offers a free, versatile search experience, catering to a wide audience from students to researchers.

Unique Selling Points

• Interactive Experience: Engages users by asking clarifying questions, providing personalized results.
• Real-Time Results: Offers real-time data, ensuring that users receive the most current information possible.
• Multiple Search Modes: Features both ‘Simple’ and ‘Enhanced’ search modes to cater to varying depths of user inquiry.

HIX AI is more than a mere search engine; it’s a comprehensive knowledge-assistance tool that reflects its roots as an innovative AI writing tool and its evolution into a multifold AI platform.

2. Perplexity AI – Intuitive AI Search with Personalized Touch

Perplexity AI is winning users’ hearts with its intuitive search capabilities. What makes it particularly impressive is its ability to tailor search results based on previous interactions, delivering a personalized touch often absent in standard search engines.

Key Features

• User History Learning: Adapts to an individual’s search preferences for more relevant results over time.
• Highly Interactive: Engages users deeply to understand context and provide precise information.
• Easy-to-Use Interface: Boasts a user-centric design that simplifies information access.

3. AnswerRocket – Decision-Driven Data Intelligence

Positioned as a solution for businesses, AnswerRocket uses AI to transform data analytics into accessible insights. Users can “ask AI questions” related to business intelligence and receive visually compelling answers, streamlining decision-making processes at an organizational level.

Stand-Out Attributes

• Analytics Made Simple: Businesses can ask complex data questions and get simple, actionable answers.
• Natural Language Processing: Understands business terminology and context to generate accurate responses.
• Visual Data Representation: Delivers data insights through engaging and understandable visuals.

4. Wolfram Alpha – Knowledge-Based Computational Engine

Wolfram Alpha is renowned for its robust computational abilities. It’s not just a free-to-use search engine—it’s a powerhouse for academic inquiries, complex math problems, and scientific queries.

Notable Characteristics

• Computation-Centric Searches: Excels in performing calculations and providing factual answers.
• Educational Focus: Ideal for students and educators needing detailed explanations and solutions.
• Structured Data: Outputs data in a structured format that’s easy to follow and understand.

5. You.com – User-Centric Searching Redefined

You.com emphasizes user privacy while providing a wide array of search functionalities. It’s an AI search engine that promises not to track your queries and offers rich and varied responses, including direct answers, summaries, and related content.

Important Aspects

• Privacy-First Policy: Gives peace of mind with its commitment to not tracking user search behavior.
• Comprehensive Results: Delivers details through summaries and other contextually relevant sources.
• Customizable Interface: Allows users to personalize their search experiences.

6. Elicit – Research-Focused AI Information Retrieval

Elicit is tailored for researchers needing a sophisticated literature review assistant. By asking AI-operated questions, users can extract data from a wide array of academic papers, streamlining the research phase significantly.

Prime Features

• Research Oriented: Caters specifically to the needs of professionals in the field of academics and science.
• Deep Literature Dives: Searches extensive databases for thorough academic insights.
• Time-Saving: Reduces the amount of time spent on preliminary research.

7. Sinequa – AI-Powered Search for Enterprises

Aimed at enterprises, Sinequa offers an AI search engine that helps employees access and leverage the vast information assets within an organization. It excels in understanding the context and aiding in internal knowledge sourcing.

Critical Elements

• Enterprise Ready: Integrates smoothly into an organization’s existing data infrastructure.
• Natural Language Understanding: Makes sense of complex enterprise jargon for efficient retrieval of information.
• Secure Access: Prioritizes data security in sensitive corporate environments.

8. Neeva – The Ad-Free AI Search Alternative

Neeva stands out as an ad-free AI search engine, promising a refreshing search experience devoid of advertisements. Users can ask AI questions and enjoy a clean interface that focuses on pure results.

Core Benefits

• Ad-Free Environment: Eliminates distractions caused by advertisements for a focused search experience.
• User-First Interface: Designs its offering with user-centricity as the core principle.
• Subscription-Based Model: Supports an ad-free model through a subscription service, ensuring privacy and quality.

9. Algolia – Real-Time API Search as a Service

Algolia serves developers looking to incorporate sophisticated search capabilities within their applications. It’s known for its lightning-fast response times and customizable search APIs, making it an indispensable tool for high-speed, real-time search needs.

Main Advantages

• Developer Friendly: Offers extensive APIs and developer tools for seamless integration.
• Instant Search: Known for its near-instantaneous search results and user-friendly experiences.
• High Customizability: Allows fine-tuning search features to match the specific needs of an application.

10. Amazon Kendra – Enterprise Search Powered by Machine Learning

Amazon Kendra extends search services into the realm of enterprise with ML-driven functionality. Users can draw upon the expansive AWS cloud infrastructure to deploy an intelligent and secure search service across their corporate data silos.

Stand-Out Services

• Cloud-Based Power: Leverages the robust AWS infrastructure for high performance.
• Machine Learning Excellence: Utilizes ML algorithms for continued search improvement and accuracy.
• Enterprise Focused: Delivers secure, reliable search solutions in corporate settings.

Harnessing AI for the pursuit of knowledge is revolutionizing how we interact with the digital world. From the free search capabilities of HIX.AI to the business data analytics of AnswerRocket, these AI search engines collectively foster a smarter, quicker, and more personalized browsing experience. Each engine, with its unique capabilities, exemplifies the potential of asking AI questions and receiving information that can transform decision-making and enhance our understanding of complex topics. With AI consistently pushing the boundaries of possibility, getting the right information is now as simple as posing the right question to the right search engine.

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Personal privacy VS. public safety: A hybrid model of the use of smart city solutions in fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic in Moscow

Sergey a. revyakin.

1 HSE University, Moscow Russia

Associated Data

Data derived from public domain resources.

Technological advancements and big data have brought many improvements to smart city infrastructure. During the COVID‐19 outbreak, smart city technologies were considered one of the most effective means of fighting the pandemic. The use of technology, however, implies collecting, processing personal data, and making the collected data publicly available which may violate privacy. While some countries were able to freely use these technologies to fight the pandemic, many others were restricted by their privacy protection legislation. The literature suggests looking for an approach that will allow the effective use of smart city technologies during the pandemic, while complying with strict privacy protection legislation. This article explores the approach applied in Moscow, Russia, and demonstrates the existence of a hybrid model that might be considered a suitable tradeoff between personal privacy and public health. This study contributes to the literature on the role of smart city technologies during pandemics and other emergencies.

1. INTRODUCTION

Along with effective urban management, smart city technologies are useful for effective emergency management (Ekman,  2019 ; Liu & Li,  2020 ). The COVID‐19 outbreak and the associated government restrictions triggered a significant increase in the use of smart city technologies to fight the pandemic (Inn,  2020 ; Markotkin,  2021 ). According to the literature (Inn,  2020 ; WHO,  2019 ), smart city technologies can be useful in identifying, tracking, and forecasting outbreaks through big data analytics, enhancing public security via improved facial recognition and infrared technologies, delivering supplies, and assisting surveillance. The investment in smart city technologies improved the quality of planning, preparation, and forecasting during the pandemic (Sharifi et al.,  2021 ).

The benefits of using smart city technologies are evident, however, the municipalities of many countries can not use such technologies to the fullest to fight the pandemic because they raise concerns about the “erosion of privacy” and could violate privacy protection regulations (Kummitha,  2020 ). That is why such countries have to apply the restrictions on using these technologies, applying “a human‐driven” approach (Kummitha,  2020 ; Kupferschmidt & Cohen,  2020 ). Some other countries were able to immediately and forcefully activate the full capacity of smart city technologies to keep the pandemic under control by applying “the techno‐driven” approach. The literature describes the pros and cons of these approaches when using smart city technologies during pandemics but advises looking for a tradeoff between personal privacy and public safety (Kitchin,  2020 ). The article demonstrates one of those tradeoffs represented by a hybrid approach applied in Moscow. Based on the above and considering that Moscow has the most advanced smart city technologies in Russia and strict privacy regulations at the same time, the article answers the following research question: How did Moscow use its smart city technologies to fight against COVID‐19?

To answer the research question, the author studied the literature, government reports and decrees, WHO reports, newspaper articles, other websites, and tested the functionality of the federal and Moscow authorities' mobile applications. The key finding of the research is that Moscow adopted a hybrid approach that combines the features of both the human‐driven and techno‐driven approaches. That approach has not been described in the literature and could be considered as a potential compromise between the concerns about the privacy of individuals and public safety. This approach could be applied by other countries with strict privacy regulations. The article also proposes a qualification matrix, which can be used to define the type of approach applied by a municipality.

The article is organized as follows. The second section contains a literature review aimed at developing qualification criteria to distinguish between human‐driven and technology‐driven approaches to using smart city technologies and define which smart city devices support specific types of government measures (active surveillance, issuing warnings, identification of the infected, isolation, lockdown, and quarantine). The third section describes the research methodology, while the fourth section describes the results (the approach adopted by Moscow authorities). The fifth section contains the overall discussion and considers the theoretical and practical implications of this research and suggests areas for future study. The sixth section provides conclusions and limitations.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. techno‐and human‐driven approaches during a pandemic: criteria for qualification.

A smart city requires collecting and integrating data obtained from sensors, physical devices, software applications, personal cameras, the Internet, smartphones, and similar devices (Quijano‐Sánchez et al.,  2020 ) for further analysis using artificial intelligence algorithms. It requires opening the data for public consideration to increase the transparency on the virus outbreak, which would decrease privacy (Janssen & van den Hoven,  2015 ). In countries with advanced privacy protection regulations, the use of smart city technologies to track people during the pandemic were perceived as a significant increase in digital control (Markotkin,  2021 ) and a form of government overreach (The Wall Street Journal,  2020 ). The literature suggests that the free flow of information and data collection makes the technology work effectively (Kummitha,  2020 ), but “the challenge is how much data is enough”? (The New York Times,  2020a ). When looking for trade‐offs, this is one of the critical questions to be theoretically explored and practically addressed using liberty‐friendly principles of the adoption of technologies (Kitchin,  2020 ).

In line with the difference between “technology‐push” and “demand‐pull” theories of social change and technological innovation (Kim & Lee,  2009 ), Kummitha ( 2020 ) suggested the key differences between the two approaches to using smart city technologies during a pandemic (Table  1 ).

The key differences between Techno‐ and Human‐driven approaches during a pandemic: criteria for qualification

The approach to using smart city technologies during a pandemic represents a type of the decision the authorities need to make. That means, within the same technological equipment the decision made (the approach applied) could be different. The techno‐driven approach suggests the immediate and forceful use of the full capacity of smart city technologies to keep the pandemic under control. It requires the synchronization and replication at all levels of government at once (Kummitha,  2020 ) as well as the collection and the use of citizens' data (Cabestan,  2020 ). China was the first country that used smart city technologies to track citizens, which was solely aimed at fighting the pandemic (Selinger,  2020 ). The activation of all the technologies available in smart cities allowed the Chinese government to apply effective non‐pharmaceutical measures to stop the spread of COVID‐19 (Kummitha,  2020 ). As reported by The Wall Street Journal, “in South Korea, investigators scan smartphone data to find within 10 min people who might have caught coronavirus from someone they met. Israel has tapped its Shin Bet intelligence unit, usually focused on terrorism, to track down potential coronavirus patients through telecom data”. (The Wall Street Journal,  2020 ). The techno‐driven approach requires citizens to follow the protocols and does not consider the context (Janssen & Kuk,  2016 ). This is one of the reasons why it raises concerns about “erosion of privacy” and freedom (The Wall Street Journal,  2020 ). The literature doubts that the techno‐driven approach adopted in China could be replicated anywhere else in the world (Kupferschmidt & Cohen,  2020 ).

Western democracies adopted a human‐driven approach (Kummitha,  2020 ) (Table  1 ). This approach adopted when the government has restrictions on the collection and use of citizens' data (personal data protection and privacy laws) (Kupferschmidt & Cohen,  2020 ) and therefore has to take the context into account and be very selective when using technologies because of the many sensitive limitations (Kummitha,  2020 ).

Thus, the approach chosen by municipalities depends on a number of factors: the extent to which the regulations allow tracking citizens, collecting personal data, and addressing an individual if specifically required for public safety (Table  2 ).

Techno‐and human‐driven approaches during a pandemic: additional criteria for qualification

As shown in Table  2 , the techno‐driven approach implies data collection and processing at an individual level, while the human‐driven approach deals with aggregated data. The literature points out that the techno‐driven approach is more effective during a pandemic than the human‐driven approach (Kummitha,  2020 ; WHO,  2019 ), because, for example, relying on anonymous data may not be as effective as collecting data from individuals (Stamati et al.,  2015 ). Relying on quantitative analysis, Yang and Chong (Yang & Chong,  2021 ) concluded that the investment in smart cities decreases the number of COVID‐19 cases. That is one of the reasons why “technology” is considered a key factor in predicting and controlling a pandemic such as COVID‐19 (Yang & Chong,  2021 ). However, along with the benefits, the use of AI and Big Data (for the techno‐driven approach) could raise concerns, because increased transparency (making the collected data publicly available) may violate privacy (Janssen & van den Hoven,  2015 ). The literature also specifies other reasons why technology alone could not be an effective solution in the public sector (Kuziemski & Misuraca,  2020 ). While the opportunities are well‐described, the literature points out that “the risks and downsides are given less attention” and “the effects are hard to predict and accountability requires both the curation of data and algorithm” (Janssen & Kuk,  2016 , p. 376). That is why “evidence‐based policies are not a panacea for many reasons” (Nam,  2020 , p. 1). The literature does not conclude which approach (techno‐ or human‐driven) is preferable for smart city authorities during a pandemic and suggests tailoring it to the local needs and resources available (Inn,  2020 ). Considering that each approach has its pros and cons, Kitchin ( 2020 ) suggests that governments should try to respect both civil liberties (not to collect, process, and share personal data—the human‐driven approach) and public health (collect, process, and share personal data—the techno‐driven approach). Therefore, further research of possible trade‐offs is required to make the use of smart city technologies during a pandemic more liberty‐friendly.

2.2. Types of measures municipalities may implement during a pandemic

Based on WHO‐recommended strategies for the prevention and control of communicable diseases (WHO,  2001 ), which is aligned with the epidemic theory (Patten & Arboleda‐Flórez,  2004 ), there are four types of measures that municipalities can implement during a pandemic: (1) active surveillance and issuing warnings; (2) identification of the infected; (3) isolation; and (4) lockdown and quarantine.

Active surveillance and warnings are measures aimed at preventing citizens from being infected. Identification is the measure aimed at identifying possibly infected citizens for further tests and decisions on isolation and quarantine. Once an infected person is identified, they need to be isolated from society. Isolation is a process of instructing a person on the next steps toward quarantine. Lockdown and quarantine are the measures aimed at preventing infected persons from infecting others.

These four measures could be supported by smart city technologies to a different extent. Table  3 demonstrates that the “Active surveillance and issuing warnings” type of measures relies on the largest number of smart city devices: “As advised by WHO and learned from the Chinese context, early surveillance is the most effective strategy available for the prevention of transmission” (Kummitha,  2020 , p. 8).

Available smart city technologies to support the four types of measures during a pandemic

Therefore, the approach municipalities choose is based on:

• Whether a municipality activates all available smart city components to fight the pandemic, or uses them selectively because of some limitations;
• Whether a municipality uses smart city components to support the four types of measures or only some of them.

I will elaborate upon the above in Section  4 to explore the approach adopted by the Moscow authorities.

3. RESEARCH APPROACH

This section describes the data selected for the study, the methods, and the analytical approach adopted. This paper is a part of a more extensive research project 1 that focuses on the analysis of changes in public administration driven by digital technologies.

3.1. Case selection

As mentioned, while the techno‐driven approach was predominantly used in China (Kupferschmidt & Cohen,  2020 ), Western countries adopted a human‐driven approach (Kummitha,  2020 ). Russia is geographically located between China and Western countries and has an advanced smart city infrastructure and strict privacy regulations at the same time. Russia was one of the most severely affected countries in the world (as of May 8, 2020, Russia had the third‐largest number of new coronavirus cases identified in the world (Worldometer,  2020 )). Considering the above, the author decided to study Russia's experience in using smart city technologies in fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study analyzes Moscow's experience for three main reasons.

Firstly, being the capital city, Moscow has the most advanced smart city technologies in Russia, and the article aims to explore whether the authorities were able to use the technologies in line with the privacy protection laws in place. In terms of smart city devices, nowadays, Moscow authorities collect data from surveillance cameras (installed on public buses, the subway, and at traffic lights, 193,000 cameras in total) (Forbes,  2020a ; Moscow Department of Information Technology,  2020 ), taxi and car‐sharing services, transport (transport card transactions), GLONASS sensors, and Caesar‐Satellite anti‐theft systems (BBC,  2020b ). The AI system allows for finding a person's location in the city based on a photo. The main source of photos has been doctors, who are required to take pictures of infected (quarantined) citizens when visiting them (BBC,  2020b ). The cameras are also used to identify the elderly who left their home. However, the system has reportedly had some problems identifying individuals wearing face masks (BBC,  2020b ). Since 2015, Moscow authorities have had access to geolocation data from mobile providers and have been collecting voice samples of citizens calling the city hotline (BBC,  2020b ). Free Wi‐Fi points, the mos. ru, and other city services were used as data sources; and since 2017, even if a person turned on the incognito mode in a browser, the system would recognize the person and collect data (BBC,  2020b ). It was declared that Moscow authorities have no direct access to the bank transaction history of the residents; but the authorities have access to the data on citizen's property and related payments (BBC,  2020b ). In some countries, such as South Korea, the government monitored both the phones and credit cards of the infected and quarantined citizens after informing them about these measures (Lee & Lee,  2020 ). Moscow is equipped with similar types of smart city devices as China and South Korea, except for robots and temperature screening systems (sensors) for public places.

Secondly, due to the high population concentration, Moscow had the largest number of the infected in Russia and there was an urgency to use any available means to combat the spread of the disease.

Finally, at first glance, it was hard to determine whether the approach applied by the Moscow authorities was techno‐driven or human‐driven. During the outbreak, the Russian government did not introduce equal and synchronized measures for all Russian cities. However, the Moscow authorities experimented with measures and technologies to keep the pandemic under control. Upon the introduction of certain measures in Moscow, other cities and regions adopted some of the measures as well (Vedomosti,  2020b ).

3.2. Identification of the data

The following data sources were used to answer the research question: scholarly articles, news articles, government reports and decrees, mobile applications of the Moscow and federal authorities, and WHO reports.

WHO reports were found using Google, by filtering the search results of trusted sources. Research articles about the role of technologies in tackling COVID‐19 transmission were found using a search engine in Scopus on May 8, 2020, and updated on May 12, 2021, with search phrases such as “coronavirus OR COVID‐19 AND “smart technology” OR “smart city”” (1688 documents in Scopus, 49,576 results in Science Direct), ““Smart City” AND Moscow AND COVID‐19 OR pandemic” (23 documents in Scopus, 83,269 results in Science Direct). The results were narrowed down by using filters, searching within search results, using recommended and cited articles to find information on the article's scope. To find newspaper articles on the devices that were used in smart cities around the world, I looked through news items that covered the first 5 months of 2020. The search was conducted in Google and Yandex News, and the results were limited to popular and trusted media sources. The search for the use of specific devices of the smart city system was performed using Google, with search phrases such as “Moscow coronavirus temperature sensors public places”. Government reports (both nationwide and Moscow‐specific), and decrees on the measures during the pandemic in Russia were found on the relevant government websites or trusted law databases using Google. Google and the App Store were used to explore websites, infection maps, and applications. In total 59 sources (articles, newspapers, websites) were selected and cited in this paper.

3.3. Analysis

To assess whether a techno‐ or human‐driven approach was applied by Moscow, I considered Kummitha's ( 2020 ) definition of the key differences between the approaches (Table  1 ). I defined three key criteria for determining the approach to using smart city technologies during a pandemic based on the literature (Table  2 ). Also based on the literature, I distributed the types of smart city components of the four types of municipal measures during a pandemic that they could support (Table  3 ). Using the qualification matrices to explore the approach described in Tables  2 and ​ and3, 3 , I would conclude that the approach used by Moscow authorities was technology‐driven, if:

• It was characterized by the immediate and forceful activation of all 2 available smart city devices for all 3 types of measures.
• The authorities collected the personal data of citizens (data from surveillance cameras, geolocation, temperature screening systems, QR‐codes, etc.).
• The authorities openly shared data processing results (the data on the travel history/paths of the infected citizens), based on that the authorities contacted those who got infected or possibly got infected to apply the measures.

I would conclude that the approach applied by Moscow authorities was human‐driven, if:

• 4 It was characterized by selective and time distributed activation of smart city devices.
• 5 The authorities did not collect the personal data of citizens, and would rather collect anonymous data.
• 6 The authorities were not openly sharing data after processing; the authorities predominantly were focused on sharing anonymous aggregated data on the infected citizens and warnings to society.

In order to determine the approach adopted by Moscow authorities, I explored the smart city components that were available in Moscow and the extent to which they had been used to fight the pandemic (Tables  4 and ​ and5). 5 ). Based on the results, I made a conclusion on the type of the approach that was adopted by Moscow authorities and suggested the qualification matrix to define the approach applied by the authorities during the pandemic (Table  6 ).

Smart city technologies of Moscow in action during the pandemic

The approach of the Moscow authorities to use smart city technologies during the outbreak of COVID‐19

Qualification matrix for the approach applied by the authorities during the pandemic

The first infected person in Russia was identified in Moscow (Ministry of DDCMM of the Russian Federation,  2020 ) and Moscow was the city with the largest number of infected citizens in Russia. In this section, I explore the extent to which Moscow used its smart technologies to fight COVID‐19. I describe the key features of the approach used by the Russian government and focus on the comparison between the available and utilized components of Moscow's smart city system.

4.1. COVID‐19 outbreak: Key features of the government's approach

There are two main features of the approach adopted by the Russian government during the COVID‐19 outbreak. First, a State of Emergency was not declared, lockdown or quarantine measures were not introduced in Russia; secondly, each region could introduce its own measures (Vedomosti,  2020b ). When the federal government launched a mobile application designed for self‐identification and for using QR passes, it was not mandatory for use by citizens or regional governments (Ministry of DDCMM of the Russian Federation,  2020 ). As a result, the application was not widely and systematically used. The literature points out that the transfer of measures from the national to municipal level was one of the success factors in fighting the pandemic in other countries (Huynh et al.,  2020 ).

When the situation began to deteriorate, Moscow authorities introduced a self‐isolation regime for all citizens. Moscow authorities developed several scenarios for COVID‐19 transmission in Russia and introduced measures for each possible scenario; all other regions considered the Moscow's experience the best practice (Vedomosti,  2020a ). Moscow Mayor Sobyanin signed a decree on regulation and restrictions, but despite the pandemic, a State of Emergency was not introduced in Moscow, along with the lockdown and quarantine measures. At the same time, quarantine was introduced for elderly people in Moscow — adults 65 or older being most vulnerable (Forbes,  2020b ). The common protocol of the identification of infected people in Moscow was self‐identification. Moscow authorities distributed instructions (the websites of Moscow's Mayor and Moscow's Government,  2020 ) stating that if a citizen has SARS or seasonal allergy symptoms, they should call a doctor for further instructions. Moscow authorities were quite transparent in sharing the information daily through a special website and in the media (The official portal of the Moscow's Mayor and Moscow's Government,  2020 ).

4.2. Smart city components used during the pandemic in Moscow

The Smart City concept is quite popular in Russia. Based on the IQ Index of Russian cities 4 (covering 191 cities), Moscow has the highest urban digitalization index, followed by Kazan and Saint Petersburg (Russian newspaper [Rossiyskaya Gazeta],  2020 ). The Smart City concept of Moscow is similar to other projects all around the world and is aimed at “the development of urban management by increasing the efficiency and transparency of urban management; improving the life quality of the Moscow population by the large‐scale use of information and communication technologies in the social sphere, in the sphere of ensuring the integrated security of the city of Moscow and in other spheres of city administration in Moscow, as well as in the citizens' everyday life” (Ruzina,  2020 ). Moscow authorities have been implementing smart city technologies since 2010 based on the Singapore model (International Telecommunication Union,  2018 ). Moscow was ranked 72nd in the Smart City Index 2019 (The IMD World Competitiveness Center,  2019 ), which ranks 102 cities worldwide and measures how citizens perceive the impact of policies on their daily lives. Singapore holds the 1st place, Zurich and Oslo are in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

When the pandemic began and the self‐isolation regime was introduced, Moscow authorities announced that they would use the current smart city system to monitor citizens (RBC,  2021 ). The wide use of smart city technologies to fight the pandemic was possible due to changes in federal legislation that were introduced in April 2020 (Markotkin,  2021 ). These changes allowed the Moscow authorities to conduct experiments involving the use of smart city technologies to improve the life of the citizens and the efficiency of governance (Markotkin,  2021 ), however, these new amendments guaranteed the protection of privacy during the experiments.

However, there was no forceful and immediate activation of available smart city technologies for active surveillance, identification, and isolation of infected persons—the approach was time distributed and selective (not all available smart city technologies were used, the measures differ from the ones in other regions of Russia) (Table  4 ).

For instance, high alert mode was put into place in Moscow on March 16 (Moscow Government,  2020 ). A “social monitoring” application to track infected citizens was launched on April 2, 2020 ( Mjerija Moskvy Gotova Primenjat’ QR‐Kody Dlja Kontrolja Rezhima Izoljacii [The Moscow City Government Is Ready to Apply QR Codes to Control the Mode of Isolation],   2020 ), and from April 13, 2020, the QR‐pass system was introduced for those who needed to leave their residence ( Sobjanin Ob'javil o Vvedenii v Moskve Specpropuskov. Chto Jeto Znachit [Sobyanin Announced the Introduction of Special Passes in Moscow. What Does It Mean],   2020 ).

Not all available smart city technologies were activated in Moscow to keep the virus under control. The technologies were mostly focused on the isolation and quarantine of infected citizens and less focused on active surveillance to issue warnings and tracking to identify potentially infected persons to isolate them for further lockdown and quarantine. Evidence of the wide use of the technologies (cameras, for instance) for active surveillance and issuing warnings for COVID‐19‐related purposes in Moscow has not been found. However, these technologies were used in urgent situations: surveillance cameras were used to track potentially infected citizens when the first infected person was identified (Vedomosti,  2020a ). Based on surveillance camera records and geolocation data from mobile phones, all persons that the infected person contacted (including family members) were identified and quarantined. Text messages were used to inform potentially infected citizens of their status and the need to self‐isolate (RIA Novosti,  2020b ). This demonstrates that the data were collected and processed on an individual level and were not anonymized. However, smart city technologies were used in cases of emergency. Moscow authorities were sharing aggregated (anonymized) data on Internet websites only and never published the data on the travel history of the infected citizens. Publicly available maps for Russia (Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation,  2020 ) and Moscow (Mash,  2020 ) show the addresses from where infected persons were taken to a hospital.

The approach introduced by Moscow authorities was issue‐based—smart city technologies were used only based on evidence (when an infected person was identified). The most active measure of the authorities to prevent the disease among citizens was to issue a recommendation to self‐isolate. Self‐identification mode was required for infected citizens (who had symptoms and were suspected of being infected). While WHO recommendations and the Chinese experience show that “governments need to impose lockdowns as early as possible” (Kummitha,  2020 , p. 8), lockdowns and quarantines were not imposed in Moscow.

The business community tried to contribute by offering technologies to the authorities. For instance, AT Consulting VOSTOK developed a solution to identify infected citizens (including the potentially infected) (ComNews,  2020 ). Drone producers suggested using drones for monitoring public places (to avoid crowds) and infrastructure during an emergency shutdown of enterprises for alerting the citizens about antiviral activities, for the expedited delivery of medical tests, samples, vaccines, and drugs, and for applying antiseptics and disinfectants to potentially infected areas (RBC,  2020 ). However, none of those suggestions were accepted by Moscow authorities.

As mentioned in Section  4.1 , no uniform anti‐COVID‐19 measures were implemented in all Russian regions (Vedomosti,  2020b ). Moscow was leading the way in introducing the regulation to get COVID‐19 under control, and the regions were adopting some of them. For instance, in Tatarstan, it was required that citizens receive a text message with a permit to leave their homes. The permit was valid for only 1 hour, and it could be obtained only twice a day. QR‐code identification was launched in the Nizhny Novgorod region (The website of the Moscow Mayor and Moscow Government, 2020). In many other regions of Russia, AI systems were used to quickly collect data on the number of free hospital beds, ambulance crews online, etc (RIA Novosti,  2020a ). These data were used to make forecasts and arrange medical assistance effectively. Using AI allows the reduction in the number of people involved in the collection and analysis of information (from 100 to 200 specialists at a call‐center to 10–15).

In order to assess people's perception of smart technologies applied by the Moscow authorities during the pandemic, a number of surveys were conducted. One survey reported, “The population does not believe in an easy solution, as in H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds; on the contrary, the more the screws are tightened, the quieter the crisis is perceived” (translated by the author) ( How Do Russians Respond to the Epidemic? Polling Stories [Kak Rossijane Reagirujut Na Jepidemiju? Istorii Oprosov], 2020 ). Citizens experienced issues with some of the technologies, for instance, with the Social Monitoring application aimed at tracking home‐treated infected citizens (issues with downloading the app, registration, issues with uploading a photo, etc.) even when mobile devices were provided to the infected by the mayor's office ( “Social Monitoring”: How Moscow Mocks the Quarantined Sick [“Social'nyj Monitoring”: Kak Moskva Izdevaetsja Nad Zapertymi v Karantin Bol'nymi], 2020 )). As a consequence, people were fined for violating the regulations and were not happy about it (gave the application low scores and negative reviews) ( Mobile Application “Social Monitoring” Reviews, 2021 ).

5. DISCUSSION

5.1. the approach of the moscow authorities: neither techno‐driven nor human‐driven.

The approach of the Moscow authorities could be qualified as human‐driven because it was selective and time distributed, and the authorities shared aggregated (anonymized) data on the infected citizens (Table  5 ).

In other regions of Russia, AI systems were used to quickly collect data to make forecasts and arrange medical assistance effectively (RIA Novosti,  2020a ). However, this practice was not common for all Russian regions. The absence of harmonized country‐wide measures to fight the pandemic (Vedomosti,  2020b ) also proves that the approach of the authorities was rather selective.

However, the approach introduced by Moscow authorities also has the attributes of the technology‐driven approach (Table  5 ), because it allows for collecting the personal data along with the ability to contact infected or potentially infected individuals when required (based on the data processing results). For instance, the Moscow authorities were collecting the personal data from surveillance cameras, mobile phones, and so on, and were using them when they needed to find, track, or inform (by a text message) the infected or potentially infected persons.

Thus, I concluded that Moscow authorities adopted a hybrid model that combines features of the techno‐driven and human‐driven models (Table  5 ). Smart city technologies in Moscow were used selectively and were mostly focused on the isolation and quarantine of the infected and less focused upon active surveillance to issue warnings, identify potentially infected persons and to isolate them for further lockdown and quarantine. These technologies allowed the authorities to collect the personal data and use them when there was a need to find, track, or inform the infected or potentially infected person, but it was shared only in an anonymized form. A State of Emergency was not declared, lockdown and quarantine were not introduced in Russia, and there were no uniform country‐wide measures in place (each of the regions was able to introduce their own measures to fight the pandemic).

5.2. Theoretical and practical implications

“Human history has always been about keeping up with technological advances to make life more comfortable (fire), easier (the wheel), more productive (the printing press, steam power), and more mobile (the car)”. (Done,  2012 , p. 53). Humanity has achieved fantastic results in the development of technology, but during the pandemic, it faced the paradox of the inability to use it at full capacity. This is because along with the development of the technologies, humanity was developing the concept of key civil rights and liberties, which resulted in the implementation of legislation such as the European Convention on Human Rights (Glas,  2013 ) or General Data Protection Regulation (Otto,  2018 ). “But in emergencies like pandemics, privacy must be weighed against other considerations, like saving lives”, said Mila Romanoff, the data and governance lead for United Nations Global Pulse (The New York Times,  2020a ). “I am more and more convinced the greatest battle of our time is against the “religion of privacy”. It literally could get us all killed”, said the former Portuguese Europe Minister Bruno Macaes (BBC,  2020a ).

Authorities around the world were not ready for the COVID‐19 outbreak and when it happened, they used the means that were available in each specific country or municipality. As demonstrated in Section  2.1 , the available literature defines the techno‐driven and human‐driven approaches used by the authorities during the pandemic. The techno‐driven approach is considered more effective in fighting the pandemic (Kummitha,  2020 ; WHO,  2019 ), but it cannot be replicated in countries with strict privacy regulations (Kupferschmidt & Cohen,  2020 ). The active use of technologies during the pandemic was criticized for overreach and the “erosion of privacy” (The Wall Street Journal,  2020 ) because “the increased surveillance and health data disclosures have also drastically eroded people's ability to keep their health status private” (The New York Times,  2020a ). The governments were also expected to find ways to use technologies while complying with data protection laws at the same time, and to reconsider the balance between personal privacy and public safety (The New York Times,  2020a ). The technologies are developing very rapidly and the literature suggests that a trade‐off model is needed to harmonize civil liberties and public health (Kitchin,  2020 ).

In this regard, the article demonstrates the existence of a hybrid model that could represent a new generation of approaches aimed at finding a meaningful balance between privacy and public safety, using the benefits of technology. The literature shows that technology alone could not be an effective solution in the public sector (Kuziemski & Misuraca,  2020 ) and a hybrid model of the use of smart city technologies significantly resonates with this statement. The model relies on the strength of the technology and acknowledges its role in fighting the pandemic, allowing the authorities for temporary tracking of the infected persons for the sake of public safety. However, using such a model might require amending the legislation in time to make it work, which might be quite difficult to do in some countries. This is one of the limitations of the hybrid model. The existence of emergency protocols for the use of smart city technologies could be a solution for such countries. The hybrid model is selective in using technologies (not all available technologies are used at all stages of fighting the pandemic, and the protocols used could differ from one region to the next) and it is cautious with data collection (for many reasons). For instance, Russia “lacks the vast troves of user data possessed by China” (Goode,  2020 , p. 1).

The existence of hybrid models is important for several reasons. First, from a theoretical point of view, the hybrid model adopted in Moscow demonstrates the existence of alternative models other than the two main model types identified in the literature (Table  5 ). Further research could focus on developing a classification of hybrid models and analyzing the factors that shape them in different countries. Based on the demand for the trade‐off between civil rights and public safety, hybrid models need to be explored further. At the same time, the findings of the article contributes to the studies of the public administration model in Russia.

Secondly, from a practical point of view, the hybrid model will allow governments to have a third option and use smart city technologies effectively while meeting the requirements of local regulations on privacy. That means that authorities do not need to choose one of the two main approaches but could consider a hybrid model (Table  5 ). There are clear practical intentions from the countries that were not satisfied with the human‐driven models to find such a hybrid approach. “These are strange times. Germany, perhaps the most privacy‐conscious nation on Earth, is considering a mobile phone app that would trace the contacts of anyone infected with COVID‐19” (BBC,  2020a ). During the emergency, former New York Governor Cuomo “got the unlimited authority to rule by executive order during state crises like pandemics and hurricanes” (The New York Times,  2020a ). Another example of such an approach comes from Israel where the government was allowed to use mobile provider data of infected people within 30 days: “We have to maintain the balance between the rights of the individual and needs of general society, and we are doing that”, said former Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu at the time (The New York Times,  2020b ). Nevertheless, when looking for a balance the authorities would need to decide on how much data is enough, and further research and practical experiments should help in answering this question.

Thirdly, the existence of a hybrid model is important from a political point of view, because using a techno‐driven approach that violates freedoms could negatively affect the political reputation of governors even if it is successful from a healthcare point of view. The use of a flexible and meaningful approach could bring many benefits for the politicians who could, for instance, arrange public participation in choosing the extent of using the technologies in emergency situations.

The results described in Table  5 could be presented as a Qualification matrix for the approach applied by the authorities during a pandemic (Table  6 ).

The Qualification matrix could be useful for the theoretical analysis of models applied in other countries (regions) and classifying them. The matrix is also useful for a self‐audit and policy development within a region and a country. “The pandemic may, finally, humanize the use of high‐tech in cities. The smart city models of a generation ago were all about regulation and control—the state online. What's emerging in this pandemic are good programs and protocols which create community”, stated Richard Sennett, Professor of Urban Studies at MIT (Digital Leaders,  2020 ). Therefore, the exploration of new hybrid models of a government approach to pandemics, including the limitations and new trade‐offs, could be popular for some time, because many questions remain to be answered both in theory and in practice.

6. CONCLUSION

Many countries implemented smart city technologies, but during the COVID‐19 outbreak in 2020, some countries were able to use its full capacity (the techno‐driven approach), while others could do this only selectively (the human‐driven approach) because of strict privacy protection legislation. The literature suggests that along with these two approaches, an alternative model would add value. The Russian Federation has advanced smart city infrastructure and strict legislation on privacy protection simultaneously. This paper explored the approach of the Moscow authorities to using smart city technologies during the COVID‐19 outbreak in 2020 and concluded that the authorities used a hybrid approach which demonstrates the features of both human‐driven and techno‐driven approaches. The author developed a Qualification matrix to define the approach used by authorities during the pandemic.

This research was based on publicly available sources of information and did not rely on any internal data of the authorities that could potentially influence the findings. For instance, only publicly available data were used when assessing whether smart city devices were utilized for the specific government measure. That may mean that other devices can also be used, but no information about such devices was available via the open sources. This is the main limitation of this research. As the next step, the results of the research could be validated through interviews with the managers of the smart city system of Moscow.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

This article is a part of a research project implemented as part of the Basic Research Program at HSE University. The research was undertaken independently by the author.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the editor and reviewers for their encouragement and guidance throughout the review process. The paper has significantly benefited from their comments. I also thank Rama Krishna Reddy Kummitha, Michael Revyakin, Keld Pedersen, Joel Cumberland and David Connolly for their discussions on the drafts of this paper.

Revyakin, S. A. (2022). Personal privacy VS. public safety: A hybrid model of the use of smart city solutions in fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic in Moscow . Public Administration and Development , 42 ( 5 ), 281–292. 10.1002/pad.1997 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

1 Under the Basic Research Program at the HSE University.

2 Where applicable.

3 Where applicable.

4 Index of digitalization of the urban economy.

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Industry Innovation Day Features Brain and Technology

Apr 24, 2023 —.

Meta Lab's Thomas Reardon (pictured on screen) and Chris Rozell, professor and Julian T. Hightower Chair in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

More than 150 people attended Industry Innovation Day and the GVU Spring Research Showcase on April 19 held at the Technology Square Research Building conference center on the Georgia Tech campus. This year’s event centered around the brain and neuro-related technologies, and touched on topics ranging from brain computer interaction, cognitive aids, psychology, the future of work, artificial intelligence and various other topics that surfaced due to audience questions. The event was sponsored by the Georgia Tech Institute of People and Technology (IPaT) and the Georgia Tech Neuro community.

The keynote speaker this year was Thomas Reardon, vice president and head of neural interfaces at Meta Reality Labs. Reardon is a highly regarded neuroscientist and entrepreneur who founded CTRL-labs which was acquired by Meta (Facebook) in 2019. He currently leads a team of computational neuroscientists and biotech engineers working to connect neurons to machines via a novel non-invasive neural interface technology. Reardon’s talk topic for this year’s annual Industry Innovation Day was “Consumer Neural Interfaces: View from Meta Reality Labs.” In addition to providing an informative lecture about neural technology, he briefly displayed some of the capabilities of his Meta team’s wrist-mounted, non-invasive device that was able to translate neuro hand activity into its corresponding robotic hand movements.

“Our undergraduate degree in neuroscience is one of the Institute’s most popular degrees,” said Julia Kubanek, vice president for interdisciplinary research at Georgia Tech, who gave several introductory remarks. “The neuroscience area integrates many disciplines across campus such as the arts, humanities, social science, computer science, engineering, business, design, and the basic sciences and is a great example of the true integration of interdisciplinary research in many forms across Georgia Tech. We are particularly grateful for the participation today of companies and other organizations that collaborate with the Georgia Tech community of researchers.”

Leigh McCook, interim executive director of IPaT, emphasized the need to have dialogue and conversations between industry partners and community partners with Georgia Tech researchers to develop supportive research projects and create greater impact in the area of the human technology frontier.

“The neuro space and the IPaT space are natural partners for each other,” said Chris Rozell, professor and Julian T. Hightower Chair in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This is a perfect day to come together and talk about what the human frontier looks like. Georgia Tech hired its first neuro engineer more than 30 years ago long before it was cool to be an engineer studying neuro. Today, we have more than a 100 faculty spanning six colleges studying neuro-related topics with the additional involvement of Emory University and Georgia State University. We’ve had an incredible trajectory over the last decade and we’ve fostered a growing and active community.”

Following Reardon’s keynote were two interactive panel sessions. The first panel was focused on “brain computer input and output” was led by moderator Michelle LaPlaca, professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Her research interests are in neurotrauma, injury biomechanics, and neuroengineering as they relate to traumatic brain injury.

The panelists were:

Melody Moore Jackson, professor in the School of Interactive Computing Omer Inan, professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Carlos Bremer, president North America Division - Global VP of Knowledge at brain4care Isaac Clements, CTO and co-founder of BioCircuit Technologies The second panel was focused on the “future of cognitive and psychological aids” and was moderated by Maribeth Gandy Coleman, director of research at the Institute for People and Technology where her work has been focused on the intersection of technology for mobile/wearable computing, augmented reality, AI, human computer interaction, healthcare, assistive technology, and gaming.

Jennifer R. DuBose, director of the SimTigrate Design Lab Tansu Celikel, chair of the School of Psychology Deborah Backus, vice president of research and innovation, Shepherd Center Barbara Olasov Rothbaum, director of the Emory Healthcare veterans program and chair in neuropsychopharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine “I am really pleased with the connections we were able to foster today,” said Clint Zeagler, co-director of strategic partnerships for IPaT and principal research scientist. “Key to translational and impactful research outcomes are transdisciplinary collaboration across campus and with industry and corporate partners. Events like this with both academic and industry experts allow for deep conversations and spark interesting and innovative projects.”

Walter Rich

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The entangled human being – a new materialist approach to anthropology of technology

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• Open access
• Published: 02 September 2024

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• Anna Puzio   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-6244 1  

Technological advancements raise anthropological questions: How do humans differ from technology? Which human capabilities are unique? Is it possible for robots to exhibit consciousness or intelligence, capacities once taken to be exclusively human? Despite the evident need for an anthropological lens in both societal and research contexts, the philosophical anthropology of technology has not been established as a set discipline with a defined set of theories, especially concerning emerging technologies. In this paper, I will utilize a New Materialist approach, focusing particularly on the theories of Donna Haraway and Karen Barad, to explore their potential for an anthropology of technology. I aim to develop a techno-anthropological approach that is informed and enriched by New Materialism. This approach is characterized by its relational perspective, a dynamic and open conception of the human being, attention to diversity and the dynamics of power in knowledge production and ontology, and an emphasis on the non-human. I aim to outline an anthropology of technology centered on New Materialism, wherein the focus, paradoxically, is not exclusively on humans but equally on non-human entities and the entanglement with the non-human. As will become clear, the way we understand humans and their relationship with technology is fundamental for our concepts and theories in ethics of technology.

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1 Introduction

The swift pace of technological progress has rekindled interest in anthropology, meaning that, in light of new technologies, we reflect on what it means to be human. Technological advancement gives rise to several questions in society: What sets humans apart from technology? What capabilities are unique to humans? Will technology replace humans? Can robots possess consciousness or intelligence that were previously attributed only to humans? And how will humans and technology differ in the future? Particularly, humanoid robots prompt us to revisit the foundational question of what it means to be human [ 1 ].

Moreover, in AI research and the ethics of technology, many anthropological themes are addressed, such as anthropomorphism, human or computer metaphors, the relationship between humans and technology, the differences between them, and their collaboration in various areas of life [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Additionally, many anthropological statements serve as the basis for ethical reflections. For example, claims about how we should morally interact with new human-like technologies, such as social robots, are derived from definitions of what constitutes human consciousness or intelligence [ 1 ]. That is, what it means to be human today plays a significant role in the philosophy and ethics of technology.

Even though there is a fundamental need for anthropological orientation in society and research, the philosophical anthropology of technology does not exist as an established discipline, at least not in relation to emerging technologies. Anthropological concepts from famous thinkers like Plessner [ 11 , 12 ], Scheler [ 13 ] or Gehlen [ 14 ] were developed many years ago, referring to different societal situations and entirely different technologies. Therefore, in this paper, I will develop a contemporary approach to the anthropology of technology that considers current conceptions of the human and present-day technologies. To this end, I will apply a New Materialist approach, referring especially to the theories of Haraway and Barad, and will demonstrate how New Materialism can contribute to a contemporary philosophical anthropology of technology.

Why New Materialism? When I entered the Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford, I encountered an abundance of books about non-human entities. Even though not all explicitly relate to New Materialism, they share its language and thoughts: titles discussing “Entangled Life. How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures” [ 15 ], “Other Minds” [ 16 ] of octopuses, “The Mind of a Bee” [ 17 ], “The Inner Life of Animals” [ 18 ], “Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness” [ 19 ], “When Animals Dream” [ 20 ], “An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us” [ 21 ], and “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate” [ 22 ]. Studies on the non-human are on the rise, and there is a growing accumulation of insights that environmental studies, animal studies, and many other fields have long highlighted: we need to think and speak differently about the non-human, its capabilities, its place in the world, and our relationships with it than we are used to do. To reflect on the human being, it is crucial to reflect on the non-human. New Materialism does precisely this by reconsidering the relationship between humans and non-humans, bringing the non-human and our relationship with it into focus. I will thus propose an anthropology of technology with New Materialism at its core, where paradoxically, the focus is not solely on humans but equally on non-human entities and their entanglement with the human.

Another reason why New Materialism is suitable for a contemporary anthropology of technology is that it draws attention to power relations, discrimination, and the diversity of humans and bodies, which is highly relevant for today’s philosophy of technology as well as contemporary society.

Given how well New Materialism aligns with certain social movements and the current philosophy of technology, it is not surprising that it is gaining increasing popularity. There are already several introductions to New Materialism [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], and New Materialism has been received by a wide variety of disciplines, such as political science, psychology, theology, gender studies, health research, sociology, education studies, environmental studies, animal studies, social work, and science and technology studies (e.g., [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]). The engagement with New Materialism is fundamentally interdisciplinary. Moreover, a New Materialist perspective has already been applied to specific technologies and several technological ethical questions [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Haraway has played an important role in feminist approaches to the philosophy of technology and robot ethics [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ].

What is still missing from the discourse so far is the application of New Materialism to the philosophical anthropology of technology. Footnote 1 Although New Materialism itself does not offer a fully developed anthropology, it reflects extensively on the human being and traditional concepts of the human, the human body, and the relationship between humans and the co-world. Additionally, New Materialism is highly theoretical and abstract, resulting in few concrete practical applications. Like other relational approaches, it faces the criticism of being too vague for applied ethics and concrete practice. For example, in robot ethics, it has been debated whether relational approaches should be applied at all or remain subjects of theoretical philosophical discussions [ 47 , 48 ]. Therefore, this article not only aims to provide an anthropological approach informed by New Materialism but also to offer guiding perspectives on how this approach could be concretely applied.

First, in Sect.  2 , I introduce the anthropology of technology and New Materialism, explaining their origins, intellectual traditions, themes, and tasks. In Sect.  3 , I elaborate on and explain key concepts and insights of New Materialism that are particularly relevant to anthropological questions. Based on this, in Sect.  4 , I develop a New Materialist approach to the anthropology of technology, demonstrating what an anthropology of technology informed by New Materialism might look like. To make the highly theoretical New Materialism as applied as possible, I develop a methodological compass for orientation and guidance in anthropological questions, illustrating this with examples of contemporary technologies. Finally, I summarize my findings in the conclusion in Sect.  5 and identify questions for future research.

2 Introducing Anthropology of Technology and New Materialism

2.1 anthropology of technology.

Philosophical anthropology of technology reflects on the human being within the context of technology. A look at the history of technology reveals that the understanding of what it means to be human is related to the technologies of the time and changes in relation to and interaction with them. The respective inventions of the time, such as the clock, the steam engine, or the computer, have always influenced how humans understand themselves and their bodies. For example, Descartes understood the human body as a clockwork mechanism, and later, computer models gained significance in understanding the human mind [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Today, it is human brain interfaces, generative AI, large language models, self-tracking technologies and humanoid robots that pose new challenges to our understanding of what it means to be human.

Therefore, a task of anthropology is to investigate how our understanding of humans and the human body is being transformed due to technology. How are robots, the metaverse, self-tracking, generative AI, digital twin technology, and advanced medical technologies changing how we understand the human and the body? And moving into the field of ethics: What futures for human beings do we want? How we understand humans influences how we perceive ourselves and our fellow human beings, how we act, how we make decisions, and how we shape society [ 55 , 56 , referencing 57 ].

Moreover, in the ethics of technology, certain anthropological assumptions are often explicitly or implicitly presupposed. Ethical concepts like autonomy and agency frequently rely on our understanding of human traits, such as specific notions of human intelligence and social behavior. These anthropological assumptions need to be identified, made explicit, and critically examined [ 1 ]. This reveals that anthropology and ethics are closely linked: ethical reflections often contain implicit assumptions about the human being, and anthropology also encompasses normative aspects. This article primarily focuses on anthropology, but the close connection to ethics will become evident, especially in New Materialism, which closely ties ethics to ontology and epistemology.

Furthermore, conceptions of the human being are present not only in ethics but also in technology. Technologies such as humanoid robots embed and embody our interpretations of human appearance and behavior. AI conveys a particular notion of intelligence, and emotional AI reflects a specific perception of emotions. In this way, discriminatory, ableist, sexist, and racist assumptions can be identified and critically scrutinized within technology, for example, when certain technologies are not designed for people with disabilities because an idealized notion of the human was taken as the standard. This engagement with conceptions of the human also includes those implicitly present in science fiction [ 58 , 59 ] and in technological movements like transhumanism and posthumanism. For instance, consider the reductionist view of humanity in transhumanism, which reduces humans to mere information and contains ideological elements [ 53 , 60 ].

Even though anthropology is clearly important for ethics and technology, philosophical anthropology or the philosophical anthropology of technology does not yet exist as a fully established discipline with a distinct set of theories and methods. The beginnings of anthropological reflections date back to antiquity, for example with Plato and Aristotle, and even earlier to the earliest sources of human history. In 1798, Immanuel Kant’s “Anthropologie in pragmatischer Hinsicht” (“Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View”) [ 61 ] was published. Particularly influential were the approaches called “Philosophical Anthropology”, which were notably shaped in the 1920s by Helmuth Plessner [ 11 , 12 ], Arnold Gehlen [ 14 ], and Max Scheler [ 13 ]. During this period, anthropology took on a more defined form with theories and concepts [ 62 ]. The handbook “Technikanthropologie” (“Anthropology of Technology”) [ 63 ] refers to “anthropologies of technology” as early as the 17th and 18th centuries with Descartes and La Mettrie and continues to discuss the approaches of Ernst Kapp, André Leroi-Gourhan, Arnold Gehlen, Helmuth Plessner, Ernst Cassirer, Martin Heidegger, Günther Anders, Hans Blumenberg, Gilbert Simondon, Gotthard Günther, and Marshall McLuhan in the 19th and 20th centuries. Footnote 2   

Today, the concepts of these thinkers are often applied to new technologies and questions. For example, concepts introduced by Plessner, auch as “eccentric positionality”, and his three “anthropological laws” are applied to contemporary technologies [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Footnote 3 This article, however, takes a different approach, arguing that new contexts require new philosophical concepts and new ways of thinking. Authors from earlier periods, such as Plessner, were not acquainted with modern technologies such as smartphones or brain-computer interfaces. Therefore, they conducted their reflections and developed their concepts in a socio-technological context that was significantly different from today’s. A New Materialist approach, as I will argue, can provide better answers to today’s technological challenges, offering insights into considerations regarding the role of humans in interaction with contemporary technology and the impact of technology on human existence. Hence, in this article, I will set aside the wealth of anthropological reflections in history, even though much can be learned from them, and instead focus on a New Materialist approach.

2.2 New Materialism

New Materialism is an interdisciplinary and heterogeneous current of thought that emerged in the 1990s, intersecting philosophy, social sciences, cultural studies, natural sciences, and technology studies. Key themes in New Materialism include a re-conceptualization of matter, viewing it as active, effective, and dynamic, rather than passive and stable [ 24 ]. Additionally, it involves reflections on ontology, knowledge production, and the subject-object relationship. Its thinkers criticize anthropocentrism, humanism, and focus on non-human entities, and rethink the relationship between nature and culture. New Materialism draws on various theories and intellectual traditions, notably posthumanist, feminist, and poststructuralist approaches from thinkers like Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari, and Michel Foucault. Footnote 4 Proponents of New Materialism include Donna Haraway, Karen Barad, Rosi Braidotti, Lucy Suchman, and Jane Bennett. New Materialism is closely related to intellectual currents such as (Critical) Posthumanism Footnote 5 , Ecofeminism, Cyberfeminism, and Technofeminism, with the boundaries between them often blurring [ 42 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Haraway [ 77 ] distances herself from the term “posthumanism”, while Barad [ 78 ] aligns themselves with posthumanism. Haraway [ 77 ] (p. 97) says: “We are compost, not posthuman; we inhabit the humusities, not the humanities. Philosophically and materially, I am a compostist, not a posthumanist.”

Additionally, New Materialism is also closely related to relational approaches in ethics of technology, for example post-phenomenology [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ], actor-network-theory [ 83 , 84 ] and more-than-human approaches [ 36 , 85 ], which have long been integrated into the philosophy of technology. New Materialism shares with other relational approaches an interest in embodiment, human-technology relations, technological agency, and the impacts of technology on the human being.

Since New Materialism represents a diverse line of thought and its stances on various aspects of technology, anthropology and ethics differ greatly, this paper will focus on the theories of Donna Haraway and Karen Barad. Haraway and Barad are among the most popular proponents of New Materialism and have significantly influenced its conceptual framework.

Donna Haraway is particularly known for her interdisciplinary approach as a biologist, philosopher of science, literary scholar, and technology researcher, which is evident in her writings. In her research, she combines various methods and types of texts (e.g., narratives and mythological elements). Characteristic of her thought is the questioning of boundaries, dualisms, and anthropological categories. These blurring of boundaries is illustrated in the figure of the cyborg, which she developed in her famous “Cyborg Manifesto” (1985) [ 86 ]. There, she states: “A cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction.“ [ 86 ] (p. 7) The cyborg represents both an epistemological and ontological position, and serves as an “ethical and political figure” [ 45 ] (p. 37).

Karen Barad adopts an approach different from Haraway’s, yet it exhibits many similarities. They also work interdisciplinarily, intertwining philosophy with quantum physics, particularly that of Niels Bohr. Barad advocates for a radical “relational ontology” Footnote 6 , meaning that for them, there are no prior entities with fixed properties, nor are there pre-existing subjects and objects [ 88 ]. Humans, bodies, and non-human entities do not pre-exist but instead come into being “only in and through relationships” [ 24 ] (p. 128). They emerge from what are called “intra-actions” and “agential cuts”. While the familiar term “interaction” presupposes pre-existing, independent entities that interact with each other [ 88 ], the concept of “intra-action” emphasizes that these entities only arise from the multitude of relationships and actions. Agential cuts refer to the way in which boundaries and distinctions between different entities are created and how phenomena in the world are categorized [ 88 ]. “[I]n contrast to the Cartesian cut”, which Barad describes as “an inherent distinction […] between subject and object”, “the agential cut enacts a resolution within the phenomenon of the inherent ontological (and semantic) indeterminacy” [ 89 ] (p. 333f). Barad refers to their “ontoepistemological framework” as “agential realism” [ 90 ] (p. 44). Barad’s radical relational ontology is not framed individualistically, but rather, “phenomena” form the fundamental ontological unit. “Phenomena”, as relations, precede relata such as entities, things, humans, non-humans, and bodies [ 87 , 88 ].

3 Key Concepts and Insights of New Materialism: Haraway and Barad

New Materialism offers various insights for anthropology, ethics, epistemology, philosophy of science, ontology, political philosophy, and more. Additionally, both theories, by Haraway and Barad, are complex, challenge many traditional assumptions in philosophy (such as those concerning responsibility, the subject-object dichotomy, and causality), and raise various questions in research due to their often vague nature. Therefore, this exploration is limited to 5 key concepts and insights that can be derived from Haraway’s and Barad’s New Materialist approach, which have particular relevance for questions of what it means to be human. However, as will become clear, in New Materialism, questions concerning humans and technology are always closely tied to ontology, epistemology, and politics.

3.1 Hybrid, dynamic human identity: the cyborg and a relational ontology

Human identity in New Materialism can be well described through Haraway’s cyborg figure and Barad’s relational ontology. The cyborg figure has been widely received and utilized by researchers across various disciplines (e.g., 45 , 91 , 92 , 93 ). The hybridity of the cyborg rejects a fixed, definitive identity [ 59 ] and opposes essentialisms and universalisms [ 45 ]. Instead, her Footnote 7 identity is “fragmented, partial, and incomplete” [ 94 ] (p. 30). In addition to the cyborg, Haraway introduces many other figures of resistance in her work, such as domestic pets like her dog Cayenne, coyotes, and the laboratory mouse OncoMouse.

Haraway [ 86 ] demonstrates how, at the end of the 20th century, the boundaries between human and animal, organism and machine, physical and non-physical have become fragile. She criticizes dualisms such as self and other, woman and man, mind and body, reality and appearance, nature and culture. She demonstrates, including historically, how “certain dualisms have been persistent in Western traditions; they have all been systemic to the logics and practices of domination of women, people of color, nature, workers, animals– in short, domination of all constituted as others , whose task is to mirror the self.“ [ 86 ] She critiques the aforementioned boundaries and encourages the questioning of existing borders while responsibly redefining them [ 86 ] The hybrid cyborg questions “ontological hygiene” [ 59 ] (p. 203). On the one hand, the cyborg can serve as a “critical tool” to expose structures, hierarchies, and dichotomies [ 50 , p. 242, referencing 95 , p. 326]. On the other hand, she is part of societal reality; for example, numerous cyborgs, which are connections between the human organism and machines, can be identified in today’s medicine. Due to the multiple linkages between humans and technology, Haraway concludes: “we are cyborgs” [ 86 ] (p. 8).

Barad proposes a relational ontology, assuming that what constitutes the human being– and also non-human entities– emerges from relations. Thus, human existence is not inherently present beforehand, is not universally given over the years, but is dynamic and continuously reconfigured: Footnote 8

“[H]umans are part of the configuration or ongoing reconfiguring of the world— that is, they/we too are phenomena. In other words, humans (like other parts of nature) are of the world, not in the world, and surely not outside of it looking in. Humans are intra-actively (re)constituted as part of the world’s becoming. Which is not to say that humans are the mere effect, but neither are they/we the sole cause, of the world’s becoming.” [ 96 ] (p. 206).

What it means to be human is constituted through relationships and otherness, not derived from the humans themselves, yet the human is also not “the mere effect” of the world [ 97 ]. Barad argues that “the boundaries and properties of the components of phenomena become determinate” “through specific agential intra-actions” [ 88 ] (p. 139), meaning that humans, as phenomena, do not possess a fixed set of characteristics or determinable boundaries; rather, these emerge in a second step from intra-actions. This indeterminacy of the human also means that what it means to be human remains open to change and diversity: “Holding the category ‘human’ (‘nonhuman’) fixed (or at least presuming that one can) excludes an entire range of possibilities in advance […].” [ 88 ] (p. 178) Furthermore, in Barad’s work, as in Haraway’s, the non-human comes to the forefront. The relations are not limited to human relations; rather, human and non-human entities mutually constitute each other [ 88 ]. What it means to be human is thus also brought forth by the non-human.

3.2 Non-human entities und relationality

It becomes apparent that in Haraway and Barad’s work, being human cannot be separated from relations and the non-human. In Haraway’s conception, the identity of the cyborg is fundamentally relational: The cyborg requires connectivity and relationships– she is “needy for connection” [ 86 ] (p. 9f). Haraway particularly emphasizes the interconnectedness with non-human actors. This can include (laboratory) animals, viruses and bacteria, machines, and other objects. Laboratory animals play a significant role for Haraway. Animal experiments reveal that, on one hand, we acknowledge a kinship between humans and animals, yet on the other hand, we negate this connection to justify the freedom to treat animals as we wish: “They are us insofar as we can learn from them and their bodies; they are not us, so we can do what’s necessary to their bodies in order to learn from them.” [ 45 ] (p. 39) Haraway expresses her connection and kinship by referring to the OncoMouse as her sibling: “OncoMouse™ Footnote 9 is my sibling, and more properly, male or female, s/he is my sister.” [ 97 ] (p. 79)

For Barad, being human is also fundamentally relational, as has already been made clear by Barad’s relational ontology. This relationality is captured by Barad in the term “entanglement”, which for them signifies more than just a “connection”. It is much deeper, involving ontology, materiality, and causality [ 88 ] (p. 160). Both Haraway and Barad aim to question and critically reflect on the boundary between human and non-human. They demonstrate how, through biological insights, this boundary has long become fluid, since properties considered typically human can also be found in non-humans. Footnote 10 However, both explicitly argue not for erasing all boundaries and distinctions but rather for taking responsibility for these boundaries and renegotiating them responsibly. Footnote 11 [ 86 , 99 ]

Both critique anthropocentrism and speciesm. Barad views humans simply as phenomena akin to non-human entities [ 89 ], placing humans back into nature and the world [ 89 ]. Consequently, human exceptionalism is also criticized [ 88 , 99 ].

3.3 Non-human agency and active matter

With the revaluation of the non-human also comes the attribution of “agency” to non-human entities. Haraway’s and Barad’s conception of “agency” diverges from those in traditional philosophical interpretations. Haraway broadens the concept of agency to include non-human entities and actors like animals and machines, emphasizing their performative nature and ability to produce meanings [ 94 ]. For Barad, “agency is a matter of intra-acting; it is an enactment, not something that someone or something has” [ 96 ] (p. 214). Agency is not tied to subjectivity and intentionality. Thus, agency is distributed over both human and non-human entities [ 96 ]. In this context, Barad addresses an objection to actor-network theory, which is criticized for uncritically assuming a dichotomy between human and non-human [ 96 ]. It is important to note that non-human agency does not come at the expense of human accountability; rather, Barad is concerned with being accountable for previously hidden power structures [ 96 ].

Both turn away from the inert understanding of nature inherent in Cartesian tradition and conceptualize matter as dynamic: it is not a fixed, passive, and unchangeable substance or characteristic but is active and productive [ 88 , 89 , 94 ]. The material and the discursive are not set against each other, cannot be reduced to one another, or are not antecedent but imply each other mutually [ 88 ]. Barad [ 96 ] highlights the power relations in materialization processes, reflects on “what matters and what is excluded from mattering” (p. 220) and notes that humans are also constituted differently through material-discursive practices.

For anthropology and ethics of technology, Barad’s concept of the “apparatus” is particularly interesting, as it allows for a better understanding of technologies. Apparatuses are “material-discursive practices” [ 89 ] (p. 335) that can encompass both human and non-human intra-actions [ 88 , 90 ]. Barad rejects the notion that apparatuses and machines are observing instruments and measuring devices [ 88 ], which influence humans or others or have a “‘mediating’ role” for us [ 100 ] (p. 231). Instead, they constitute phenomena such as human, non-human, and body [ 100 ]. However, Barad’s concept of the apparatus remains relatively vague; the boundaries of the apparatus and what is included or excluded remain blurred [ 88 ].

3.4 Bodies and their diversity

The body plays a significant role in New Materialism. The identity illustrated by the cyborg figure is embodied. The hybridity of the cyborg is specifically a material and multiply embodied one. Through her hybridity, she addresses the “multiple possibilities of embodiment” [ 45 ] (p. 80f). She highlights the “ontologically confusing bodies” [ 101 ] (p. 186). Haraway’s New Materialism also considers the differences between bodies. For example, women are embodied differently than men, and among women themselves, there are differences in embodiment [ 45 ]. “The cyborg’s hybrid embodiment is not a generic universality, but a specificity, and a multiplicity.” [ 45 ] (p. 81).

In Haraway’s view, cells, organisms, and bodies are not pre-existing entities merely to be discovered by the natural sciences; rather, they are made and produced [ 94 , 102 , 103 ]. Technologies, (natural) sciences, culture, society, commercial strategies, capitalism, along with metaphors (such as those of machines and computers), and narratives, together produce the body and define what a body is [ 86 , 53 ]. While Foucault [ 104 ], with his concept of “biopower”, highlighted the influence of politics on the body, Haraway [ 105 ] adds the technological discourse: “techno-biopower” refers to the power over the body exercised through technologies, companies, and the economy (pp. 2, 9, 12).

In Barad’s [ 88 ] framework, (human and non-human) bodies “are not objects with inherent boundaries and properties; they are material-discursive phenomena” that acquire their boundaries and properties through intra-activity (p. 153). Drawing on disciplines such as physics and neurophysiology, as well as disability studies, science studies, postcolonial, and feminist research, Barad [ 88 ] questions the boundaries of the body, as has been done in phenomenology by scholars like Maurice Merleau-Ponty [ 106 , 107 ]. Barad [ 88 ] points out that the boundary of the body, the inside and outside of the body, where the body ends and the prosthetic begins, are not as clearly delineable from a scientific perspective as one might think. They [ 88 ] emphasize that how these body boundaries are established is not just a matter of experience but is ontological.

In Barad’s work, queerness plays a significant role, which they identify in nature and then apply to our anthropological conceptions and ideas of embodiment, challenging ontological and epistemological assumptions [ 99 , 108 ]. Barad [ 99 ] presents many examples from nature, viewing nature as inherently queer. For instance, they illustrate how traditional assumptions are questioned through the example of the Brittlestar: it lacks eyes and a brain but perceives through its nervous system, and it exhibits “diversity in sexual behavior and reproduction” [ 99 ] (p. 377). They describe various phenomena of nature and showcase the diversity regarding gender, sexual orientation, and bodies. For Barad [ 89 , 99 ], queerness also encompasses humans, academics, quanta, atoms, and much more. The term “queerness” for Barad does not only refer to gender identity and sexual orientation but signifies a queering that “cut[s] across the cuts that define these terms” [ 99 ] (p. 33), a “radical openness […] [and] differentiating multiplicity” [ 99 ] (p. 29), “the un/doing of identity” Footnote 12 [ 89 ] (p. 247).

3.5 Knowledge production: situated knowledge and ethico-onto-epistem-ology

Haraway [ 111 ] speaks of “situated knowledge”, emphasizing the contextuality of knowledge and one’s own position and arguing against purportedly objective viewpoints, such as those represented in the natural sciences. Haraway demonstrates that knowledge and scientific research are always embedded in a context, dependent on a specific position, and within this, questions of power play a significant role. In Haraway’s view, knowledge is contingent, historically formed, bound to contexts, and interpretative [ 94 ]. According to her, humans, bodies, and non-human entities are not pre-existing; rather, the knowledge about them is discursively produced. Just as cells and viruses in biology are not simply discovered, but are constructed, so are they [ 102 ].

Barad posits a close, necessary connection between ethics, epistemology, and ontology, which they call “ethico-onto-epistem-ology” [ 88 ]. What being is, is always dependent on our explorations of it [ 112 ] and thereby on power relations and politics. Therefore, for Barad, “being […] is political” [ 78 ] (p. 207). Scientific findings are not discoveries of something that pre-exists; rather, scientific knowledge is contextualized, akin to Haraway’s concept of “situated knowledges”. This knowledge is not produced independently but is shaped by gender, politics, history, racism, and more [ 112 ]. In this way, “knowledge is not […] innocent” [ 112 ] (p. 188). With the previously mentioned shifts in boundaries that Barad addresses, hidden power dynamics can be revealed. For Barad, these “[b]oundaries have real material consequences” [ 112 ] (p.187). The boundary between human and non-human plays a significant role in Barad’s work: They argue that determining what is human or non-human always involves exclusions and is “open to contestation” [ 88 ] (p. 183). Who do we even attribute the ability to die to? Who can live and die? [ 78 ] Barad also presents their famous example that biting into a California raisin is not just biting into sunshine and grapes but also into laws, colonialism, racism, bacteria, labor conditions of the workers, advertising, capitalism, and climate change [ 78 ].

For Barad, epistemology and ethics are inseparably linked, and responsible scientific practice is always connected to justice [ 99 ]: “Questions of natural science are questions of justice.” [ 78 ] (p. 205) Through this close intertwining of being, knowledge, and ethics [ 88 ], Barad also transforms the understanding of ethics. Instead of ethics being something that is added afterwards, ethics starts much earlier, not only in a second step. It is a more practicing “ethics of worlding” [ 108 ] (p. 392): “Ethics is an essential part of the sedimenting patterns of world-making, not an (super)imposition of human values onto the fabric of the world.” [ 78 ] (p. 183).

4 Developing a New Materialist Approach to Anthropology of Technology

4.1 an anthropology of technology informed by new materialism.

Based on the key insights and concepts of New Materialism, I will develop a New Materialist approach to the anthropology of technology in the following sections. Weaknesses and criticisms of New Materialism have already been pointed out in the research [ 87 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ], which is why a comprehensive evaluation of the approach is not conducted here. Instead, the main contribution of this article to research lies in concretely exploring how the concepts of New Materialism can be applied to the anthropology of technology.

The approaches of New Materialism should not be understood as a systematic, unequivocal theory of anthropology, as New Materialism does not formulate a unified position and resists fixed theories and labels [ 75 , 86 ]. Nonetheless, New Materialism offers many starting points for the further development of anthropological and ethical thinking. These points are not elaborated in New Materialism itself; rather, I attempt to derive them from the previous analysis.

In Sect.  4.1 , I will organize the results around 4 key insights and perspectives from New Materialism for the anthropology of technology and at the end of each, develop a methodological compass in the form of guiding questions that can guide the anthropology of technology. In Sect.  4.2 , I will present examples to concretize the New Materialist approach.

(1) Human identity is open, dynamic, embodied and diverse.

For Barad and Haraway, what constitutes the human being is open and dynamic. This contains two important aspects for the anthropology of technology. First, the openness of the cyborg lends itself well to advocating for a “radical indeterminacy” [ 120 ] (p. 285) of humans and supporting an open, not once-and-for-all defined understanding of the human being. The cyborg can “harbor subversive potential” by advocating for resistance against “any reontologization of the human being” in technologies [ 120 ] (p. 286).

This entails that the understanding of humanity advocated by New Materialism pleads for diversity. The cyborg and her body, which cannot be universalized, stand for a plurality of understandings of humans and bodies. The figure of the cyborg broadens the perspective for many genders, for queer bodies, various skin colors, or people with disabilities [ 45 ]. This means that technology must also be open to diversity, designed for diversity, and not define and reduce humans. However, this suggests not merely a criticism of technology but also its potential to actively promote inclusiveness and more effectively embrace diversity. With New Materialism, it can be said that we need queer-feminist approaches in the anthropology and ethics of technology– with a focus on gender but also in the broader sense of Barad’s queering– that constantly question traditional assumptions.

As observed, for New Materialism, being human is fundamentally embodied. In the development of AI, there is a particular focus on intelligence, thereby viewing significant cognitive achievements as separated from the body. However, intelligence always encompasses social, emotional, and bodily intelligence. With New Materialism, it can be emphasized that all our perceptions, achievements, relationships, and being are always tied to the body.

Alongside the open understanding of humanity advocated by New Materialism, there is another important aspect: the concept of the human is undergoing change, and New Materialism remains open to the human capacity for change. In this way, New Materialism also counters arguments that claim certain technologies are against “human nature” [ 99 ], which have been extensively challenged in research [ 53 , 121 , 122 ]. Especially, in the case of brain technologies and reproductive technologies, it is likely that arguments will be made in favor of this perspective [ 123 ]. Technologies can change humans, and the future of humanity is open.

Methodological Compass:

The New Materialist approach therefore resists an understanding of the human being that is defined and reduced by technologies or by opponents of technological change, who do exactly the same by wishing to maintain a certain, fixed understanding of humanity. It instead offers a critical toolkit. The cyborg (or also Barad’s approach) can serve as a crucial tool in the anthropology and ethics of technology. For the methodological compass of the anthropology of technology, the following questions arise:

What assumptions about the human do we presuppose? Where do we fix the definition of the human, and what exclusions do we thereby produce? Who gets overlooked?

Turning to a positive angle and practical implementation: How can we design in a more fluid and dynamic way?

Recognizing that there is no one universal human being, how do we embrace the diversity of human beings in technologies?

What role does the body play in human-technology interaction, and how does technology affect bodily well-being? Is the body sufficiently considered in technology development?

(2) Anthropology of technology needs a relational and more-than-human approach.

Anthropology of technology can be enriched through reflection on (1) the boundary between human and non-human, (2) the relationship to and entanglement with the non-human, and (3) the agency of the non-human:

With ever-improving technologies, we find ourselves questioning what could still distinguish humans from technology, often striving to draw a strict boundary. New Materialism points out that the boundary between human and non-human is not pre-existing, always in flux and will change. Thus, the boundary between humans and technology is likely to be different in the future. This becomes most evident where technology is integrated into the body, for example, with pacemakers, prostheses, brain-computer interfaces, where humans need technology for interaction or even survival. Where does the boundary between body and technology lie? Can technology be perceived as part of the human body? Disability studies demonstrate that users view prostheses as parts of their bodies [ 124 ]. Scholars like Thweatt-Bates [ 45 ] and Graham [ 125 ] seize the concept of the cyborg as an opportunity to argue for a broad conception of “embodiment” that also encompasses wheelchairs, prostheses, and physical abilities and sensations. This illustrates how modern technological developments can be an opportunity to broaden the current understanding of the body towards a more inclusive concept. Another example is the virtual body of my avatar, which is not completely separated from me but part of my body insofar as I experience feelings and violence in the virtual space as a bodily experience. The examples of contagion in gaming, i.e., that our perceptions and actions change after leaving the digital space, also serve as evidence for this [ 126 ].

Haraway [ 86 ] presents the blurring of boundaries between animals, technology and humans as “pleasure” and thus positions herself against the usual “border war” and the associated fears that exist in the demarcation between humans and the non-human (p. 8). Haraway [ 86 ] appeals to us to not be “afraid of […] [their] joint kinship with animals and machines” (p. 13). Promoted by media and science fiction, a distinction between humans and technology is made, imagining technology as an independent, powerful counterpart, for example, as an undefined superintelligence that could replace us, take away our jobs, and potentially annihilate us. The same strategy is also employed by technology enthusiasts, for example in transhumanism, when they refer to “existential risks” [ 127 , 128 ] and a “control problem” [ 129 ] of technologies, from which they alone can protect us. Footnote 13 Instead, New Materialism appeals to us to view technology as something with which we have always been fundamentally connected.

In these attempts at demarcation and the search for human specificity, we also find that, especially with humanoid robots, we tend to develop catalogs of characteristics– such as consciousness, intelligence, and sentience– and decide on that basis how to morally engage with them. Footnote 14 In the past, we distinguished ourselves from animals by attributing to them too strong, uncontrolled emotions and instincts; today, we differentiate ourselves from technology by saying that it lacks emotions [ 133 ]. This so-called “properties-approach” [ 132 ] has been widely criticized in research, and various relational approaches have been proposed instead [ 1 , 131 ], which show that we form close bonds with technology, we even grieve for social robots [ 134 ], and that our properties and actions are fundamentally interwoven with the non-human. How do these relationships change our ethical concepts like autonomy, agency, and responsibility?

In the discourse on technology, human-centered approaches are emphasized, for example, the notion that technology should serve humans. Instead, the New Materialist perspective emphasizes interconnectedness with the non-human: with bacteria, viruses, animals, plants, microchips, the internet, tubes, and cables, computers. The New Materialist perspective calls for taking relationships with non-humans seriously and considering how they co-constitute us and our actions. Without many non-human entities, such as bacteria, insects, and plants, we cannot survive, and technologies form a fundamental condition for our food production, safety measures, water supply, and energy provisions. In the medical field, we are largely dependent on technology, also for life-saving measures. This means that it is their data, algorithms, design, structures, and logics that fundamentally shape our human existence and ourselves.

In New Materialism, we are not merely entangled with the non-human, but there is also non-human agency, and matter is active. This means that technology is not just a mere object or tool for our actions. In human-robot interaction, for example in robot-assisted surgery, we see how the robot and the surgeon and the rest of the surgical team collaborate, enabling interventions that would not have been possible without the robot and transforming the whole actions of the surgery into a co-action of human and non-human, or more aptly, a hybrid action [ 1 ]. Lupton [ 36 , 135 ] also views various self-tracking apps as new “human–nonhuman agencies” or “assemblages” because understanding of humans, actions, and decisions here are produced through both human and technology.

For guiding the methodology in the anthropology of technology, the following questions emerge:

What assumptions do we make about the boundary between human and non-human, and what constitutes the non-human? The goal is to question traditional boundary demarcations, as has long been done in disability studies and environmental ethics.

Instead of focusing solely on individual actions, we should ask: In what relationships do we find ourselves? How do the non-human and our relationships with it shape us and our actions?

Which non-human agents are involved, and what human/non-human assemblages occur? This involves first considering the plethora of agents involved and then analyzing which of these are relevant in the specific situation or interaction.

(3) The anthropology of technology requires a critical reflection on knowledge production, ontology, and materialization, identifying power discourses.

New Materialism shifts the focus to understanding that knowledge about humans, bodies, and the non-human is not pre-existing but is produced. By not viewing the human and non-human (and the boundary between them) as given, it becomes possible to analyze how they are produced, to detect discriminations, and to identify power relations [ 88 ]. Definitions of humans and non-humans are also about power. They change over the years, for example, slaves and women were previously not attributed personhood. Technologies (and the actors associated with them such as designers, developers, tech companies, Big Tech, regulatory laws, and politics) also produce a version of the human, body, and non-human. In this way, an ethics of technology from a New Materialism perspective does not start only at the development or use of a technology but already at the production of knowledge about what being human and non-human means, at historical, medical, and political developments, social and cultural influences, constraints, and structures that are reflected upon.

New Materialism draws attention to the materializations and power relations that are already deeply embedded in ontological and epistemological structures: Barad addresses the materialization of both human and non-human bodies: While Foucault has investigated “the materialization of human bodies”, Barad criticizes him for neglecting “the processes of materialization through which nonhuman bodies are materialized” [ 96 ] (p. 204) [ 88 , 90 ].

Furthermore, New Materialism can serve as a starting point to highlight the “plurality of ontologies” Footnote 15 and to integrate non-Western ontologies. Consider Ubuntu and sub-Saharan African approaches [ 137 , 138 ], many of which argue that personhood can also apply to robots and that personhood is not possessed but rather achieved, with relationships (including those with non-humans) playing a significant role [ 138 ]. For Japanese approaches, consider, for example, Shinto-inspired techno-animism, which does not separate matter and spirit and has much potential to recognize non-human agencies and to view robots as animated [ 139 , 140 , 141 ].

For the methodological compass, the following questions arise:

Which “human”, “body”, and “non-human” are produced by technologies? What knowledge is generated?

Who and what produce this knowledge? Where can power structures be identified?

Where do ontological and epistemological injustices occur, and what forms of discrimination arise?

How can we do justice to the plurality of ontologies in technology and the anthropology of technology?

(4) Technology anthropology must work in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner and can benefit from new methodological approaches.

In a New Materialist-inspired anthropology and ethics of technology, inter- and transdisciplinary work is indispensable. It is not just about a mere dialogue between disciplines, but rather that ethics cannot be conducted without the natural sciences. An ethicist must also be able to work scientifically, and questions of natural science always also concern justice [ 78 ], because colonialist, racist, and sexist histories are present in scientific work, for example. In consideration of the non-human, collaboration between environmental ethics and ethics of technology would be beneficial and necessary, as exemplified by Gellers in his book “Rights for Robots” [ 142 ], where he refers to relational approaches.

An anthropology of technology inspired by New Materialism can also venture into new forms of storytelling, creating new narrations and figures such as the cyborg. In the discourse on technology, certain narratives are particularly prominent; for example, in the context of the aforementioned “border war”, technology is depicted in Western societies as a threat, Footnote 16 a powerful counterpart to humans, whereas New Materialism emphasizes kinship and “making kin” [ 77 ].

The anthropology of technology must fundamentally rely on empirical studies, and New Materialism can also be fruitfully applied to empirical research [ 143 , 144 ]. Lupton [ 36 , 135 ], for instance, utilizes New Materialism to enrich empirical health research. Lupton highlights the importance of examining people’s personal experiences with and their relationships to technology, such as in self-tracking (what motivates them, what experiences they have, emotions, why they use it, etc.).

Methodological compass:

The anthropology of technology must develop inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and experiment with new methods.

Consider the power of the story: Which narratives and stories dominate the discourse on technology, and what new narratives and resistant figures can be introduced? [ 93 , 145 ]

The anthropology of technology must rely on empirical work and research into people’s experiences with technology and their relationships to it.

4.2 Examples

In the final step, I present some examples from various technologies to illustrate how the New Materialism approach can be fruitfully applied:

4.2.1 Open conception of the human being: body scanners and medical technology

An example of a non-dynamic conception of the human being hidden in technology is body scanners. Even though they seem harmless because they only scan the body, a certain image of the body is embedded in them. They classify transgender individuals as dangerous because their bodies do “not fit the pre-programmed algorithmically-identified male or female gender shapes” [ 146 ] (p. 518). The same applies to facial recognition technologies, which fail to recognize black faces [ 146 , 147 , 148 ]. Similarly, body scanners exclude people who rely on medical technology, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.

Ultimately, every technology produces a specific image of a human and can never provide a holistic representation of humans. This does not mean that technology should not be used, but rather that this critical perspective must always be made clear, and technology can be improved. Especially imaging techniques and visualization technologies in medicine suggest that they offer an insight into a pre-existing body. However, they are based only on specific statistical calculations, medical values, and only represent certain aspects of humanity [ 149 , 150 ]. With New Materialism, the question arises: what does medical technology not capture here? Which bodily or non-bodily parameters are ignored? Similarly, self-tracking designs an image of the human, body, and health that tracks only certain parameters (e.g., counting steps) and assigns no value to others. Similarly, digital twin technology, which aims to provide a digital representation of the patient in their digital twin in the future, from the perspective of New Materialism, must always consider what is reduced in the patient and what is not represented in the digital twin. Footnote 17 Just as twins are not identical, digital twins are not either.

A positive development would be steps towards personalized medicine, which can individually consider the various peculiarities of individuals– even though this would also come with limitations. Other approaches would include the co-design of technology by diverse user groups, using diverse data sets, and enabling more autonomy for users in the technology.

Another promising approach is queering data. Since technology is fundamentally based on data, which is binary, there arises the task of making the data, its collection, analysis, and use more diverse. There are already promising approaches inspired by a rhizome to decentralize data (“RhizomeDB”), including a “BYOA (Bring Your Own Algorithm) approach” [ 151 , 152 ]. Footnote 18 And there are various attempts to queer data [ 153 ], for example, “the queering of collection methods” [ 154 ]. Consequently, a New Materialist approach to data is needed.

4.2.2 Non-human agency and hybrid agency

A good example of hybrid agency is brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which can be used by people with neurological disorders such as Locked-in syndrome. People can envision the act of flipping a light switch; the BCI analyses and sends their brain signals, thereby activating the light switch. Similarly, concentrating on particular letters or phrases displayed on a monitor allows the BCI (and the human) to navigate a cursor for selection [ 155 , 156 ]. BCIs facilitate movement and speech; the interaction has to be learned, and both parties have to adapt to each other. Consequently, communication and interaction are enabled and changed, thinking and behaviour are restructured. So the action is not just human, and the action is not just technologically mediated. Here, one can speak of a hybrid action of human and non-human: The actions of both are not just added together but create a new action. When these brain-computer interfaces become bidirectional, they can provide somatosensory feedback, including perceptions of pressure or warmth, or even disable fear, and could also be used for the enhancement of non-disabled individuals [ 155 , 156 ].

To reflect on non-human agency, one does not even need advanced neurological technology; generative AI already shows us how non-human and hybrid agency are effective in all our lives. Furthermore, generative AI is being explored for the creation of visual and performance art, as well as for multiple medical fields (especially radiology, mental health, and drug development) [ 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 ]. We are even more familiar with the “agency of the algorithmic feed” Footnote 19 in social media. Through the algorithmic feed, which itself is entangled with human agency, data, and algorithms, something new emerges that shapes our decisions, purchases, fashion, diet, trends, knowledge, our self- and body image, and our understanding of our health [ 161 ].

4.2.3 Knowledge production: reproductive technologies

The most illustrative example of how knowledge about the boundary between human and non-human, what it means to be human, and where life begins is produced can be found in reproductive technologies. The ultrasound image once constituted the fetus as an entity, making it a patient with rights [ 149 , 162 , 163 ]. In ectogestative technology (also known as artificial womb technology), where part or the entire maturation process of the fetus is supposed to occur ectogestatively, outside the uterus, the question becomes pressing again as to when the ectogestative entity is human and alive [ 164 ]. A New Materialism-inspired anthropology of technology emphasizes that this is not pre-given and does not just need to be discovered by the natural sciences, but that this knowledge is produced. Laws, historical developments, technologies, political structures, capitalism, feminist and racist structures, and much more will determine what is life and non-life, what is human and non-human. Footnote 20

5 Conclusion

In this paper, I have developed a techno-anthropological approach informed by New Materialism. This New Materialism-inspired anthropology of technology assumes an open, dynamic, and changing identity, accommodates diversity, is relational, and considers humans as fundamentally entangled with the non-human. Furthermore, it highlights the formation and power structures of ontologies, materializations, and epistemologies, as well as non-human and hybrid agency, and underscores that technology produces humans and bodies. Through examples and a methodological compass, I have concretized the approach for application and developed questions to guide the anthropology of technology.

Although it became clear that a New Materialist approach is well-suited for a contemporary anthropology of technology and offers many advantages, several limitations of a New Materialist approach remain. Among these limitations are the vagueness of many New Materialist concepts and the challenge of their application to ethics and politics [ 113 , 114 , 115 ]. For example, Buhr argues that in New Materialism, there exists a “gap” “between the ontological subject and the ethical and political subject” [ 87 ] (p. 87). This affects questions such as how responsibility [ 169 ] or autonomy can be understood. Much of this translation work still needs to be done in the future.

This also extends beyond ethics and philosophy. For example, Frauenberger explores what New Materialism means for human-computer interaction and design. Footnote 21 Frauenberger argues that with the design of technology, we are designing “configurations” in which humans and technology are in a relationship and interacting, and we should consider “how to design meaningful relations” [ 170 ] (p. 19).

Nevertheless, this paper has also identified the strength of New Materialism for the anthropology of technology precisely in the vagueness and indeterminacy of New Materialist concepts, as this approach keeps the concept of the human open and never definitively determines it. Or, in other words, the task of anthropology can be described in Haraway’s [ 77 ] words as: “staying with the trouble”. This means that the task of anthropology is to bear the complexity of human beings without fixing or unifying this complexity into a specific image of humans. In this regard, the very openly formulated concepts of New Materialism are well-suited for an anthropology of technology.

Another important limitation or question for future research is the understanding of relations or relationships used by New Materialism. According to a certain understanding of relationships, everything can be relational. It needs to be examined what kind of relationship New Materialism refers to in different contexts and which relationships are valuable or normatively significant. To what extent can normative statements be derived from relationships at all? More empirical research is needed to explore the relationships we enter into with the non-human and how these differ from human-human relationships. Empirical studies that explore people’s lived experiences with technology are central to a New Materialism-inspired anthropology of technology.

A key aspect of this techno-anthropological approach informed by New Materialism is that the non-human and the human entanglement with the non-human come into the focus of anthropology: an anthropology (from ancient Greek: ἄνθρωπος, human) that deals with humans but focuses on the non-human– isn’t that paradoxical? A paradox is not a contradiction but consists of contradictory elements that together form a statement, which, upon closer inspection, is not absurd but makes sense or points to a deeper truth [ 171 , 172 , 173 ]. Footnote 22 The assertion of this New Materialist approach to the anthropology of technology is that it does not require a focus on humans , or rather, can only succeed if the human entanglement and co-shaping with the non-human are considered. We cannot think of humans without considering the non-human. Haraway [ 77 ], possessing a deep ecological awareness, views human existence as fundamentally earthly: “Remembering that humanity meant humus, and not Anthropos or Homo.“

Furthermore, the question arises as to how anthropology as a discipline or field of study changes with the deeply transformative assumptions of New Materialism. Researchers have critically asked whether such relational approaches mean a departure from anthropology, as it is replaced by relations and the non-human [ 64 , 75 ]. I argue that it is not a departure from anthropology, and as was made clear at the beginning, an anthropology of technology is of high relevance. It remains important to reflect on what it means to be human, how the human being changes through technology, and what statements about humans we make in ethics, science fiction, or movements like transhumanism. However, it must be an anthropology that acknowledges the role of the non-human while reflecting on the human. Against the backdrop of changing conditions, developments in technology, and the environment, relational approaches such as New Materialism mark a caesura in anthropological thinking.

Data availability

Not applicable.

The focus of the article is on the philosophical anthropology of technology as a field within philosophy. The article does not deal with cultural, social, or theological anthropology, or other branches, as these differ in their methods, among other aspects. For these other fields, see [ 45 , 46 ], which also establish valuable connections between posthumanism and anthropology.

Translated by the author, A. P. The only three “anthropologies of technology” that Heßler and Liggieri identify for the 21st century are indeed Bruno Latour, Donna Haraway, and Lucy Suchman, with the latter two belonging to New Materialism. However, Heßler and Liggieri [ 64 ] remain critical as to whether it is still appropriate to refer to these as “anthropology” (see Sect.  5 ).

Many other anthropological approaches, such as those of Aristotle [ 70 ], Hannah Arendt [ 71 ], Martin Heidegger, Gilbert Simondon [ 72 ], or pragmatist anthropological approaches, like that of John Dewey [ 73 ], have also been applied to new technologies. In this context, the boundary blurs as to which approaches can genuinely be considered “anthropological”.

Haraway and Barad, for instance, draw upon and engage with the works of Butler, Foucault, Derrida, Levinas, and each other. They extend or criticize these thinkers’ ideas, and distance themselves from Newton and Descartes.

This does not refer to the technological posthumanism closely related to transhumanism.

The term is also used by Buhr [ 87 ] (p. 82) and Hoppe and Lemke [ 24 ] (p. 18): “radikal relationale Ontologie”.

Haraway’s Cyborg figure is feminine.

See also [ 88 ] (p. 168). This is also echoed in Haraway [ 77 ] (p. 12f): “Ontologically heterogeneous partners become who and what they are in relational material-semiotic worlding. Natures, cultures, subjects, and objects do not preexist their intertwined worldings.”

“TM” stands for “trademark”, signaling the commercialization of life; the OncoMouse is a product and a property owned by Harvard [ 97 , 98 ].

Haraway [ 86 ] refers, for example, to “language, tool use, social behavior, mental events”.

Note: Haraway uses the term “responsibility”, while Barad employs the term “accountability”.

Also consider the German translation, which emphasizes the “opening” and “deconstruction” of identity: “ queer steht für das Öffnen und De/Konstruieren [ un/doing ] von Identität” [ 109 ] (p. 81). Moreover, Barad [ 110 ] refers here to “quantum dis/continuity”: “[…] [Q]uantum dis/continuity troubles the very notion of dicho-tomy – the cutting into two– itself (including the notion of ‘itself’!).” (p.246).

A similar observation can be made in the superintelligence debate. OpenAI [ 130 ] claims that developments like ChatGPT could lead to a superintelligence and constructs a strategy on how (only) they can protect us from this superintelligence. However, this raises the critical question: What exactly is a superintelligence, and what does it look like?

See what is referred to as the “properties approach” in robot ethics, as explained by Gunkel [ 131 ] and Coeckelbergh [ 132 ].

I am referring here to the work of Patricia Reyes Benavides [ 136 ].

Non-Western societies, for example in Japan, are indeed more open and optimistic towards technologies and have a closer relationship with them.

I refer here to my work with Jose Luis Guerrero Quiñones. I am grateful to Jose for discussions on this topic.

I am grateful to Ben Hawken for discussions on Queer Data and many literature recommendations.

This idea was coined by Amy Gaeta during our discussion following my presentation at the Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence at Cambridge University. I am grateful to Amy for many discussions on this topic. See also [ 161 ].

Moreover, a New Materialist perspective has already been applied to many other ethical questions regarding reproduction and reproductive technologies [ 38 , 101 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 ]. New Materialism appears to be particularly well-suited for the topic of reproduction due to its reflections on human and non-human entities (life and non-life), the body, and its consideration of power relations.

I am grateful to Michaela Honauer for this literature reference.

By referring to a paradox, I do not mean a philosophical method of logic that I use to develop the article.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful for the many inputs from the research programme Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT) and the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at University of Cambridge, especially Julia Hermann, Amy Gaeta, and Ben Hawken. I presented this research at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence in Cambridge and received valuable feedback, for which I am very thankful.

I am a researcher at the University of Twente in the research programme Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies. This research programme is funded through the Gravitation programme of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO grant number 024.004.031).

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Puzio, A. The entangled human being – a new materialist approach to anthropology of technology. AI Ethics (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-024-00537-z

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NSF announces 4 new Engineering Research Centers focused on biotechnology, manufacturing, robotics and sustainability

Engineering innovations transform our lives and energize the economy.  The U.S. National Science Foundation announces a five-year investment of $104 million, with a potential 10-year investment of up to $208 million, in four new NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) to create technology-powered solutions that benefit the nation for decades to come.   

"NSF's Engineering Research Centers ask big questions in order to catalyze solutions with far-reaching impacts," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "NSF Engineering Research Centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America's great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges. By collaborating with industry and training the workforce of the future, ERCs create an innovation ecosystem that can accelerate engineering innovations, producing tremendous economic and societal benefits for the nation."  

The new centers will develop technologies to tackle the carbon challenge, expand physical capabilities, make heating and cooling more sustainable and enable the U.S. supply and manufacturing of natural rubber.  

The 2024 ERCs are:  

• NSF ERC for Carbon Utilization Redesign through Biomanufacturing-Empowered Decarbonization (CURB) — Washington University in St. Louis in partnership with the University of Delaware, Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University.   CURB will create manufacturing systems that convert CO2 to a broad range of products much more efficiently than current state-of-the-art engineered and natural systems.    
• NSF ERC for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) — University of Kansas in partnership with Lehigh University, University of Hawaii, University of Maryland, University of Notre Dame and University of South Dakota.   EARTH will create a transformative, sustainable refrigerant lifecycle to reduce global warming from refrigerants while increasing the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and cooling.    
• NSF ERC for Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND) — Northwestern University in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, Florida A&M University, and Texas A&M University, and with engagement of MIT.  HAND will revolutionize the ability of robots to augment human labor by transforming dexterous robot hands into versatile, easy-to-integrate tools.     
• NSF ERC for Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security (TARDISS) — The Ohio State University in partnership with Caltech, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University and the University of California, Merced.   TARDISS will create bridges between engineering, biology, and agriculture to revolutionize and on-shore alternative natural rubber production from U.S. crops.  

Since its founding in 1985, NSF's ERC program has funded 83 centers (including the four announced today) that receive support for up to 10 years. The centers build partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies and industry stakeholders to support innovation and inclusion in established and emerging engineering research.  

Visit NSF's website and read about NSF Engineering Research Centers .  

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