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Best 151+ Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

In today’s rapidly evolving world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields have gained immense significance. For STEM students, engaging in quantitative research is a pivotal aspect of their academic journey. Quantitative research involves the systematic collection and interpretation of numerical data to address research questions or test hypotheses. Choosing the right research topic is essential to ensure a successful and meaningful research endeavor. 

In this blog, we will explore 151+ quantitative research topics for STEM students. Whether you are an aspiring scientist, engineer, or mathematician, this comprehensive list will inspire your research journey. But we understand that the journey through STEM education and research can be challenging at times. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way with our Engineering Assignment Help service. 

What is Quantitative Research in STEM?

Table of Contents

Quantitative research is a scientific approach that relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to draw conclusions and make predictions. In STEM fields, quantitative research encompasses a wide range of methodologies, including experiments, surveys, and data analysis. The key characteristics of quantitative research in STEM include:

  • Data Collection: Systematic gathering of numerical data through experiments, observations, or surveys.
  • Statistical Analysis: Application of statistical techniques to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Hypothesis Testing: Testing hypotheses and theories using quantitative data.
  • Replicability: The ability to replicate experiments and obtain consistent results.
  • Generalizability: Drawing conclusions that can be applied to larger populations or phenomena.

Importance of Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Quantitative research plays a pivotal role in STEM education and research for several reasons:

1. Empirical Evidence

It provides empirical evidence to support or refute scientific theories and hypotheses.

2. Data-Driven Decision-Making

STEM professionals use quantitative research to make informed decisions, from designing experiments to developing new technologies.

3. Innovation

It fuels innovation by providing data-driven insights that lead to the creation of new products, processes, and technologies.

4. Problem Solving

STEM students learn critical problem-solving skills through quantitative research, which are invaluable in their future careers.

5. Interdisciplinary Applications 

Quantitative research transcends STEM disciplines, facilitating collaboration and the tackling of complex, real-world problems.

Also Read: Google Scholar Research Topics

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Now, let’s explore important quantitative research topics for STEM students:

Biology and Life Sciences

Here are some quantitative research topics in biology and life science:

1. The impact of climate change on biodiversity.

2. Analyzing the genetic basis of disease susceptibility.

3. Studying the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.

4. Investigating the ecological consequences of invasive species.

5. Examining the role of genetics in aging.

6. Analyzing the effects of pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

7. Studying the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

8. Investigating the relationship between diet and lifespan.

9. Analyzing the impact of deforestation on wildlife.

10. Studying the genetics of cancer development.

11. Investigating the effectiveness of various plant fertilizers.

12. Analyzing the impact of microplastics on marine life.

13. Studying the genetics of human behavior.

14. Investigating the effects of pollution on plant growth.

15. Analyzing the microbiome’s role in human health.

16. Studying the impact of climate change on crop yields.

17. Investigating the genetics of rare diseases.

Let’s get started with some quantitative research topics for stem students in chemistry:

1. Studying the properties of superconductors at different temperatures.

2. Analyzing the efficiency of various catalysts in chemical reactions.

3. Investigating the synthesis of novel polymers with unique properties.

4. Studying the kinetics of chemical reactions.

5. Analyzing the environmental impact of chemical waste disposal.

6. Investigating the properties of nanomaterials for drug delivery.

7. Studying the behavior of nanoparticles in different solvents.

8. Analyzing the use of renewable energy sources in chemical processes.

9. Investigating the chemistry of atmospheric pollutants.

10. Studying the properties of graphene for electronic applications.

11. Analyzing the use of enzymes in industrial processes.

12. Investigating the chemistry of alternative fuels.

13. Studying the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds.

14. Analyzing the properties of materials for battery technology.

15. Investigating the chemistry of natural products for drug discovery.

16. Analyzing the effects of chemical additives on food preservation.

17. Investigating the chemistry of carbon capture and utilization technologies.

Here are some quantitative research topics in physics for stem students:

1. Investigating the behavior of subatomic particles in high-energy collisions.

2. Analyzing the properties of dark matter and dark energy.

3. Studying the quantum properties of entangled particles.

4. Investigating the dynamics of black holes and their gravitational effects.

5. Analyzing the behavior of light in different mediums.

6. Studying the properties of superfluids at low temperatures.

7. Investigating the physics of renewable energy sources like solar cells.

8. Analyzing the properties of materials at extreme temperatures and pressures.

9. Studying the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various applications.

10. Investigating the physics of quantum computing.

11. Analyzing the properties of magnetic materials for data storage.

12. Studying the behavior of particles in plasma for fusion energy research.

13. Investigating the physics of nanoscale materials and devices.

14. Analyzing the properties of materials for use in semiconductors.

15. Studying the principles of thermodynamics in energy efficiency.

16. Investigating the physics of gravitational waves.

17. Analyzing the properties of materials for use in quantum technologies.

Engineering

Let’s explore some quantitative research topics for stem students in engineering: 

1. Investigating the efficiency of renewable energy systems in urban environments.

2. Analyzing the impact of 3D printing on manufacturing processes.

3. Studying the structural integrity of materials in aerospace engineering.

4. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles.

5. Analyzing the efficiency of water treatment processes in civil engineering.

6. Studying the impact of robotics in healthcare.

7. Investigating the optimization of supply chain logistics using quantitative methods.

8. Analyzing the energy efficiency of smart buildings.

9. Studying the effects of vibration on structural engineering.

10. Investigating the use of drones in agricultural practices.

11. Analyzing the impact of machine learning in predictive maintenance.

12. Studying the optimization of transportation networks.

13. Investigating the use of nanomaterials in electronic devices.

14. Analyzing the efficiency of renewable energy storage systems.

15. Studying the impact of AI-driven design in architecture.

16. Investigating the optimization of manufacturing processes using Industry 4.0 technologies.

17. Analyzing the use of robotics in underwater exploration.

Environmental Science

Here are some top quantitative research topics in environmental science for students:

1. Investigating the effects of air pollution on respiratory health.

2. Analyzing the impact of deforestation on climate change.

3. Studying the biodiversity of coral reefs and their conservation.

4. Investigating the use of remote sensing in monitoring deforestation.

5. Analyzing the effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

6. Studying the impact of climate change on glacier retreat.

7. Investigating the use of wetlands for water quality improvement.

8. Analyzing the effects of urbanization on local microclimates.

9. Studying the impact of oil spills on aquatic ecosystems.

10. Investigating the use of renewable energy in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

11. Analyzing the effects of soil erosion on agricultural productivity.

12. Studying the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.

13. Investigating the use of bioremediation for soil cleanup.

14. Analyzing the effects of climate change on migratory bird patterns.

15. Studying the impact of land use changes on water resources.

16. Investigating the use of green infrastructure for urban stormwater management.

17. Analyzing the effects of noise pollution on wildlife behavior.

Computer Science

Let’s get started with some simple quantitative research topics for stem students:

1. Investigating the efficiency of machine learning algorithms for image recognition.

2. Analyzing the security of blockchain technology in financial transactions.

3. Studying the impact of quantum computing on cryptography.

4. Investigating the use of natural language processing in chatbots and virtual assistants.

5. Analyzing the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive data.

6. Studying the impact of algorithmic trading in financial markets.

7. Investigating the use of deep learning in autonomous robotics.

8. Analyzing the efficiency of data compression algorithms for large datasets.

9. Studying the impact of virtual reality in medical simulations.

10. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in personalized medicine.

11. Analyzing the effectiveness of recommendation systems in e-commerce.

12. Studying the impact of cloud computing on data storage and processing.

13. Investigating the use of neural networks in predicting disease outbreaks.

14. Analyzing the efficiency of data mining techniques in customer behavior analysis.

15. Studying the impact of social media algorithms on user behavior.

16. Investigating the use of machine learning in natural language translation.

17. Analyzing the effectiveness of sentiment analysis in social media monitoring.

Mathematics

Let’s explore the quantitative research topics in mathematics for students:

1. Investigating the properties of prime numbers and their distribution.

2. Analyzing the behavior of chaotic systems using differential equations.

3. Studying the optimization of algorithms for solving complex mathematical problems.

4. Investigating the use of graph theory in network analysis.

5. Analyzing the properties of fractals in natural phenomena.

6. Studying the application of probability theory in risk assessment.

7. Investigating the use of numerical methods in solving partial differential equations.

8. Analyzing the properties of mathematical models for population dynamics.

9. Studying the optimization of algorithms for data compression.

10. Investigating the use of topology in data analysis.

11. Analyzing the behavior of mathematical models in financial markets.

12. Studying the application of game theory in strategic decision-making.

13. Investigating the use of mathematical modeling in epidemiology.

14. Analyzing the properties of algebraic structures in coding theory.

15. Studying the optimization of algorithms for image processing.

16. Investigating the use of number theory in cryptography.

17. Analyzing the behavior of mathematical models in climate prediction.

Earth Sciences

Here are some quantitative research topics for stem students in earth science:

1. Investigating the impact of volcanic eruptions on climate patterns.

2. Analyzing the behavior of earthquakes along tectonic plate boundaries.

3. Studying the geomorphology of river systems and erosion.

4. Investigating the use of remote sensing in monitoring wildfires.

5. Analyzing the effects of glacier melt on sea-level rise.

6. Studying the impact of ocean currents on weather patterns.

7. Investigating the use of geothermal energy in renewable power generation.

8. Analyzing the behavior of tsunamis and their destructive potential.

9. Studying the impact of soil erosion on agricultural productivity.

10. Investigating the use of geological data in mineral resource exploration.

11. Analyzing the effects of climate change on coastal erosion.

12. Studying the geomagnetic field and its role in navigation.

13. Investigating the use of radar technology in weather forecasting.

14. Analyzing the behavior of landslides and their triggers.

15. Studying the impact of groundwater depletion on aquifer systems.

16. Investigating the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in land-use planning.

17. Analyzing the effects of urbanization on heat island formation.

Health Sciences and Medicine

Here are some quantitative research topics for stem students in health science and medicine:

1. Investigating the effectiveness of telemedicine in improving healthcare access.

2. Analyzing the impact of personalized medicine in cancer treatment.

3. Studying the epidemiology of infectious diseases and their spread.

4. Investigating the use of wearable devices in monitoring patient health.

5. Analyzing the effects of nutrition and exercise on metabolic health.

6. Studying the impact of genetics in predicting disease susceptibility.

7. Investigating the use of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis.

8. Analyzing the behavior of pharmaceutical drugs in clinical trials.

9. Studying the effectiveness of mental health interventions in schools.

10. Investigating the use of gene editing technologies in treating genetic disorders.

11. Analyzing the properties of medical imaging techniques for early disease detection.

12. Studying the impact of vaccination campaigns on public health.

13. Investigating the use of regenerative medicine in tissue repair.

14. Analyzing the behavior of pathogens in antimicrobial resistance.

15. Studying the epidemiology of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

16. Investigating the use of bioinformatics in genomics research.

17. Analyzing the effects of environmental factors on health outcomes.

Quantitative research is the backbone of STEM fields, providing the tools and methodologies needed to explore, understand, and innovate in the world of science and technology . As STEM students, embracing quantitative research not only enhances your analytical skills but also equips you to address complex real-world challenges. With the extensive list of 155+ quantitative research topics for stem students provided in this blog, you have a starting point for your own STEM research journey. Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or any other STEM discipline, there’s a wealth of quantitative research topics waiting to be explored. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your lab coat or laptop, and embark on your quest for knowledge and discovery in the exciting world of STEM.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about quantitative research topics for stem students.

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55 Brilliant Research Topics For STEM Students

Research Topics For STEM Students

Primarily, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a study program that weaves all four disciplines for cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve scientific problems. STEM touches across a broad array of subjects as STEM students are required to gain mastery of four disciplines.

As a project-based discipline, STEM has different stages of learning. The program operates like other disciplines, and as such, STEM students embrace knowledge depending on their level. Since it’s a discipline centered around innovation, students undertake projects regularly. As a STEM student, your project could either be to build or write on a subject. Your first plan of action is choosing a topic if it’s written. After selecting a topic, you’ll need to determine how long a thesis statement should be .

Given that topic is essential to writing any project, this article focuses on research topics for STEM students. So, if you’re writing a STEM research paper or write my research paper , below are some of the best research topics for STEM students.

List of Research Topics For STEM Students

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Several research topics can be formulated in this field. They cut across STEM science, engineering, technology, and math. Here is a list of good research topics for STEM students.

  • The effectiveness of online learning over physical learning
  • The rise of metabolic diseases and their relationship to increased consumption
  • How immunotherapy can improve prognosis in Covid-19 progression

For your quantitative research in STEM, you’ll need to learn how to cite a thesis MLA for the topic you’re choosing. Below are some of the best quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of the effect of digital technology on millennials
  • A futuristic study of a world ruled by robotics
  • A critical evaluation of the future demand in artificial intelligence

There are several practical research topics for STEM students. However, if you’re looking for qualitative research topics for STEM students, here are topics to explore.

  • An exploration into how microbial factories result in the cause shortage in raw metals
  • An experimental study on the possibility of older-aged men passing genetic abnormalities to children
  • A critical evaluation of how genetics could be used to help humans live healthier and longer.
Experimental research in STEM is a scientific research methodology that uses two sets of variables. They are dependent and independent variables that are studied under experimental research. Experimental research topics in STEM look into areas of science that use data to derive results.

Below are easy experimental research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of nuclear fusion and fission
  • An evaluation of the major drawbacks of Biotechnology in the pharmaceutical industry
  • A study of single-cell organisms and how they’re capable of becoming an intermediary host for diseases causing bacteria

Unlike experimental research, non-experimental research lacks the interference of an independent variable. Non-experimental research instead measures variables as they naturally occur. Below are some non-experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • Impacts of alcohol addiction on the psychological life of humans
  • The popularity of depression and schizophrenia amongst the pediatric population
  • The impact of breastfeeding on the child’s health and development

STEM learning and knowledge grow in stages. The older students get, the more stringent requirements are for their STEM research topic. There are several capstone topics for research for STEM students .

Below are some simple quantitative research topics for stem students.

  • How population impacts energy-saving strategies
  • The application of an Excel table processor capabilities for cost calculation
  •  A study of the essence of science as a sphere of human activity

Correlations research is research where the researcher measures two continuous variables. This is done with little or no attempt to control extraneous variables but to assess the relationship. Here are some sample research topics for STEM students to look into bearing in mind how to cite a thesis APA style for your project.

  • Can pancreatic gland transplantation cure diabetes?
  • A study of improved living conditions and obesity
  • An evaluation of the digital currency as a valid form of payment and its impact on banking and economy

There are several science research topics for STEM students. Below are some possible quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of protease inhibitor and how it operates
  • A study of how men’s exercise impacts DNA traits passed to children
  • A study of the future of commercial space flight

If you’re looking for a simple research topic, below are easy research topics for STEM students.

  • How can the problem of Space junk be solved?
  • Can meteorites change our view of the universe?
  • Can private space flight companies change the future of space exploration?

For your top 10 research topics for STEM students, here are interesting topics for STEM students to consider.

  • A comparative study of social media addiction and adverse depression
  • The human effect of the illegal use of formalin in milk and food preservation
  • An evaluation of the human impact on the biosphere and its results
  • A study of how fungus affects plant growth
  • A comparative study of antiviral drugs and vaccine
  • A study of the ways technology has improved medicine and life science
  • The effectiveness of Vitamin D among older adults for disease prevention
  • What is the possibility of life on other planets?
  • Effects of Hubble Space Telescope on the universe
  • A study of important trends in medicinal chemistry research

Below are possible research topics for STEM students about plants:

  • How do magnetic fields impact plant growth?
  • Do the different colors of light impact the rate of photosynthesis?
  • How can fertilizer extend plant life during a drought?

Below are some examples of quantitative research topics for STEM students in grade 11.

  • A study of how plants conduct electricity
  • How does water salinity affect plant growth?
  • A study of soil pH levels on plants

Here are some of the best qualitative research topics for STEM students in grade 12.

  • An evaluation of artificial gravity and how it impacts seed germination
  • An exploration of the steps taken to develop the Covid-19 vaccine
  • Personalized medicine and the wave of the future

Here are topics to consider for your STEM-related research topics for high school students.

  • A study of stem cell treatment
  • How can molecular biological research of rare genetic disorders help understand cancer?
  • How Covid-19 affects people with digestive problems

Below are some survey topics for qualitative research for stem students.

  • How does Covid-19 impact immune-compromised people?
  • Soil temperature and how it affects root growth
  • Burned soil and how it affects seed germination

Here are some descriptive research topics for STEM students in senior high.

  • The scientific information concept and its role in conducting scientific research
  • The role of mathematical statistics in scientific research
  • A study of the natural resources contained in oceans

Final Words About Research Topics For STEM Students

STEM topics cover areas in various scientific fields, mathematics, engineering, and technology. While it can be tasking, reducing the task starts with choosing a favorable topic. If you require external assistance in writing your STEM research, you can seek professional help from our experts.

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  • Open access
  • Published: 10 March 2020

Research and trends in STEM education: a systematic review of journal publications

  • Yeping Li 1 ,
  • Ke Wang 2 ,
  • Yu Xiao 1 &
  • Jeffrey E. Froyd 3  

International Journal of STEM Education volume  7 , Article number:  11 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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With the rapid increase in the number of scholarly publications on STEM education in recent years, reviews of the status and trends in STEM education research internationally support the development of the field. For this review, we conducted a systematic analysis of 798 articles in STEM education published between 2000 and the end of 2018 in 36 journals to get an overview about developments in STEM education scholarship. We examined those selected journal publications both quantitatively and qualitatively, including the number of articles published, journals in which the articles were published, authorship nationality, and research topic and methods over the years. The results show that research in STEM education is increasing in importance internationally and that the identity of STEM education journals is becoming clearer over time.

Introduction

A recent review of 144 publications in the International Journal of STEM Education ( IJ - STEM ) showed how scholarship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education developed between August 2014 and the end of 2018 through the lens of one journal (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). The review of articles published in only one journal over a short period of time prompted the need to review the status and trends in STEM education research internationally by analyzing articles published in a wider range of journals over a longer period of time.

With global recognition of the growing importance of STEM education, we have witnessed the urgent need to support research and scholarship in STEM education (Li, 2014 , 2018a ). Researchers and educators have responded to this on-going call and published their scholarly work through many different publication outlets including journals, books, and conference proceedings. A simple Google search with the term “STEM,” “STEM education,” or “STEM education research” all returned more than 450,000,000 items. Such voluminous information shows the rapidly evolving and vibrant field of STEM education and sheds light on the volume of STEM education research. In any field, it is important to know and understand the status and trends in scholarship for the field to develop and be appropriately supported. This applies to STEM education.

Conducting systematic reviews to explore the status and trends in specific disciplines is common in educational research. For example, researchers surveyed the historical development of research in mathematics education (Kilpatrick, 1992 ) and studied patterns in technology usage in mathematics education (Bray & Tangney, 2017 ; Sokolowski, Li, & Willson, 2015 ). In science education, Tsai and his colleagues have conducted a sequence of reviews of journal articles to synthesize research trends in every 5 years since 1998 (i.e., 1998–2002, 2003–2007, 2008–2012, and 2013–2017), based on publications in three main science education journals including, Science Education , the International Journal of Science Education , and the Journal of Research in Science Teaching (e.g., Lin, Lin, Potvin, & Tsai, 2019 ; Tsai & Wen, 2005 ). Erduran, Ozdem, and Park ( 2015 ) reviewed argumentation in science education research from 1998 to 2014 and Minner, Levy, and Century ( 2010 ) reviewed inquiry-based science instruction between 1984 and 2002. There are also many literature reviews and syntheses in engineering and technology education (e.g., Borrego, Foster, & Froyd, 2015 ; Xu, Williams, Gu, & Zhang, 2019 ). All of these reviews have been well received in different fields of traditional disciplinary education as they critically appraise and summarize the state-of-art of relevant research in a field in general or with a specific focus. Both types of reviews have been conducted with different methods for identifying, collecting, and analyzing relevant publications, and they differ in terms of review aim and topic scope, time period, and ways of literature selection. In this review, we systematically analyze journal publications in STEM education research to overview STEM education scholarship development broadly and globally.

The complexity and ambiguity of examining the status and trends in STEM education research

A review of research development in a field is relatively straight forward, when the field is mature and its scope can be well defined. Unlike discipline-based education research (DBER, National Research Council, 2012 ), STEM education is not a well-defined field. Conducting a comprehensive literature review of STEM education research require careful thought and clearly specified scope to tackle the complexity naturally associated with STEM education. In the following sub-sections, we provide some further discussion.

Diverse perspectives about STEM and STEM education

STEM education as explicated by the term does not have a long history. The interest in helping students learn across STEM fields can be traced back to the 1990s when the US National Science Foundation (NSF) formally included engineering and technology with science and mathematics in undergraduate and K-12 school education (e.g., National Science Foundation, 1998 ). It coined the acronym SMET (science, mathematics, engineering, and technology) that was subsequently used by other agencies including the US Congress (e.g., United States Congress House Committee on Science, 1998 ). NSF also coined the acronym STEM to replace SMET (e.g., Christenson, 2011 ; Chute, 2009 ) and it has become the acronym of choice. However, a consensus has not been reached on the disciplines included within STEM.

To clarify its intent, NSF published a list of approved fields it considered under the umbrella of STEM (see http://bit.ly/2Bk1Yp5 ). The list not only includes disciplines widely considered under the STEM tent (called “core” disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, and materials research), but also includes disciplines in psychology and social sciences (e.g., political science, economics). However, NSF’s list of STEM fields is inconsistent with other federal agencies. Gonzalez and Kuenzi ( 2012 ) noted that at least two US agencies, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, use a narrower definition that excludes social sciences. Researchers also view integration across different disciplines of STEM differently using various terms such as, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary (Vasquez, Sneider, & Comer, 2013 ). These are only two examples of the ambiguity and complexity in describing and specifying what constitutes STEM.

Multiple perspectives about the meaning of STEM education adds further complexity to determining the extent to which scholarly activity can be categorized as STEM education. For example, STEM education can be viewed with a broad and inclusive perspective to include education in the individual disciplines of STEM, i.e., science education, technology education, engineering education, and mathematics education, as well as interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary combinations of the individual STEM disciplines (English, 2016 ; Li, 2014 ). On the other hand, STEM education can be viewed by others as referring only to interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary combinations of the individual STEM disciplines (Honey, Pearson, & Schweingruber, 2014 ; Johnson, Peters-Burton, & Moore, 2015 ; Kelley & Knowles, 2016 ; Li, 2018a ). These multiple perspectives allow scholars to publish articles in a vast array and diverse journals, as long as journals are willing to take the position as connected with STEM education. At the same time, however, the situation presents considerable challenges for researchers intending to locate, identify, and classify publications as STEM education research. To tackle such challenges, we tried to find out what we can learn from prior reviews related to STEM education.

Guidance from prior reviews related to STEM education

A search for reviews of STEM education research found multiple reviews that could suggest approaches for identifying publications (e.g., Brown, 2012 ; Henderson, Beach, & Finkelstein, 2011 ; Kim, Sinatra, & Seyranian, 2018 ; Margot & Kettler, 2019 ; Minichiello, Hood, & Harkness, 2018 ; Mizell & Brown, 2016 ; Thibaut et al., 2018 ; Wu & Rau, 2019 ). The review conducted by Brown ( 2012 ) examined the research base of STEM education. He addressed the complexity and ambiguity by confining the review with publications in eight journals, two in each individual discipline, one academic research journal (e.g., the Journal of Research in Science Teaching ) and one practitioner journal (e.g., Science Teacher ). Journals were selected based on suggestions from some faculty members and K-12 teachers. Out of 1100 articles published in these eight journals from January 1, 2007, to October 1, 2010, Brown located 60 articles that authors self-identified as connected to STEM education. He found that the vast majority of these 60 articles focused on issues beyond an individual discipline and there was a research base forming for STEM education. In a follow-up study, Mizell and Brown ( 2016 ) reviewed articles published from January 2013 to October 2015 in the same eight journals plus two additional journals. Mizell and Brown used the same criteria to identify and include articles that authors self-identified as connected to STEM education, i.e., if the authors included STEM in the title or author-supplied keywords. In comparison to Brown’s findings, they found that many more STEM articles were published in a shorter time period and by scholars from many more different academic institutions. Taking together, both Brown ( 2012 ) and Mizell and Brown ( 2016 ) tended to suggest that STEM education mainly consists of interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary combinations of the individual STEM disciplines, but their approach consisted of selecting a limited number of individual discipline-based journals and then selecting articles that authors self-identified as connected to STEM education.

In contrast to reviews on STEM education, in general, other reviews focused on specific issues in STEM education (e.g., Henderson et al., 2011 ; Kim et al., 2018 ; Margot & Kettler, 2019 ; Minichiello et al., 2018 ; Schreffler, Vasquez III, Chini, & James, 2019 ; Thibaut et al., 2018 ; Wu & Rau, 2019 ). For example, the review by Henderson et al. ( 2011 ) focused on instructional change in undergraduate STEM courses based on 191 conceptual and empirical journal articles published between 1995 and 2008. Margot and Kettler ( 2019 ) focused on what is known about teachers’ values, beliefs, perceived barriers, and needed support related to STEM education based on 25 empirical journal articles published between 2000 and 2016. The focus of these reviews allowed the researchers to limit the number of articles considered, and they typically used keyword searches of selected databases to identify articles on STEM education. Some researchers used this approach to identify publications from journals only (e.g., Henderson et al., 2011 ; Margot & Kettler, 2019 ; Schreffler et al., 2019 ), and others selected and reviewed publications beyond journals (e.g., Minichiello et al., 2018 ; Thibaut et al., 2018 ; Wu & Rau, 2019 ).

The discussion in this section suggests possible reasons contributing to the absence of a general literature review of STEM education research and development: (1) diverse perspectives in existence about STEM and STEM education that contribute to the difficulty of specifying a scope of literature review, (2) its short but rapid development history in comparison to other discipline-based education (e.g., science education), and (3) difficulties in deciding how to establish the scope of the literature review. With respect to the third reason, prior reviews have used one of two approaches to identify and select articles: (a) identifying specific journals first and then searching and selecting specific articles from these journals (e.g., Brown, 2012 ; Erduran et al., 2015 ; Mizell & Brown, 2016 ) and (b) conducting selected database searches with keywords based on a specific focus (e.g., Margot & Kettler, 2019 ; Thibaut et al., 2018 ). However, neither the first approach of selecting a limited number of individual discipline-based journals nor the second approach of selecting a specific focus for the review leads to an approach that provides a general overview of STEM education scholarship development based on existing journal publications.

Current review

Two issues were identified in setting the scope for this review.

What time period should be considered?

What publications will be selected for review?

Time period

We start with the easy one first. As discussed above, the acronym STEM did exist until the early 2000s. Although the existence of the acronym does not generate scholarship on student learning in STEM disciplines, it is symbolic and helps focus attention to efforts in STEM education. Since we want to examine the status and trends in STEM education, it is reasonable to start with the year 2000. Then, we can use the acronym of STEM as an identifier in locating specific research articles in a way as done by others (e.g., Brown, 2012 ; Mizell & Brown, 2016 ). We chose the end of 2018 as the end of the time period for our review that began during 2019.

Focusing on publications beyond individual discipline-based journals

As mentioned before, scholars responded to the call for scholarship development in STEM education with publications that appeared in various outlets and diverse languages, including journals, books, and conference proceedings. However, journal publications are typically credited and valued as one of the most important outlets for research exchange (e.g., Erduran et al., 2015 ; Henderson et al., 2011 ; Lin et al., 2019 ; Xu et al., 2019 ). Thus, in this review, we will also focus on articles published in journals in English.

The discourse above on the complexity and ambiguity regarding STEM education suggests that scholars may publish their research in a wide range of journals beyond individual discipline-based journals. To search and select articles from a wide range of journals, we thought about the approach of searching selected databases with keywords as other scholars used in reviewing STEM education with a specific focus. However, existing journals in STEM education do not have a long history. In fact, IJ-STEM is the first journal in STEM education that has just been accepted into the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) (Li, 2019a ). Publications in many STEM education journals are practically not available in several important and popular databases, such as the Web of Science and Scopus. Moreover, some journals in STEM education were not normalized due to a journal’s name change or irregular publication schedule. For example, the Journal of STEM Education was named as Journal of SMET Education when it started in 2000 in a print format, and the journal’s name was not changed until 2003, Vol 4 (3 and 4), and also went fully on-line starting 2004 (Raju & Sankar, 2003 ). A simple Google Scholar search with keywords will not be able to provide accurate information, unless you visit the journal’s website to check all publications over the years. Those added complexities prevented us from taking the database search as a viable approach. Thus, we decided to identify journals first and then search and select articles from these journals. Further details about the approach are provided in the “ Method ” section.

Research questions

Given a broader range of journals and a longer period of time to be covered in this review, we can examine some of the same questions as the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ), but we do not have access to data on readership, articles accessed, or articles cited for the other journals selected for this review. Specifically, we are interested in addressing the following six research questions:

What were the status and trends in STEM education research from 2000 to the end of 2018 based on journal publications?

What were the patterns of publications in STEM education research across different journals?

Which countries or regions, based on the countries or regions in which authors were located, contributed to journal publications in STEM education?

What were the patterns of single-author and multiple-author publications in STEM education?

What main topics had emerged in STEM education research based on the journal publications?

What research methods did authors tend to use in conducting STEM education research?

Based on the above discussion, we developed the methods for this literature review to follow careful sequential steps to identify journals first and then identify and select STEM education research articles published in these journals from January 2000 to the end of 2018. The methods should allow us to obtain a comprehensive overview about the status and trends of STEM education research based on a systematic analysis of related publications from a broad range of journals and over a longer period of time.

Identifying journals

We used the following three steps to search and identify journals for inclusion:

We assumed articles on research in STEM education have been published in journals that involve more than one traditional discipline. Thus, we used Google to search and identify all education journals with their titles containing either two, three, or all four disciplines of STEM. For example, we did Google search of all the different combinations of three areas of science, mathematics, technology Footnote 1 , and engineering as contained in a journal’s title. In addition, we also searched possible journals containing the word STEAM in the title.

Since STEM education may be viewed as encompassing discipline-based education research, articles on STEM education research may have been published in traditional discipline-based education journals, such as the Journal of Research in Science Teaching . However, there are too many such journals. Yale’s Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning has listed 16 journals that publish articles spanning across undergraduate STEM education disciplines (see https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/FacultyResources/STEMjournals ). Thus, we selected from the list some individual discipline-based education research journals, and also added a few more common ones such as the Journal of Engineering Education .

Since articles on research in STEM education have appeared in some general education research journals, especially those well-established ones. Thus, we identified and selected a few of those journals that we noticed some publications in STEM education research.

Following the above three steps, we identified 45 journals (see Table  1 ).

Identifying articles

In this review, we will not discuss or define the meaning of STEM education. We used the acronym STEM (or STEAM, or written as the phrase of “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”) as a term in our search of publication titles and/or abstracts. To identify and select articles for review, we searched all items published in those 45 journals and selected only those articles that author(s) self-identified with the acronym STEM (or STEAM, or written as the phrase of “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”) in the title and/or abstract. We excluded publications in the sections of practices, letters to editors, corrections, and (guest) editorials. Our search found 798 publications that authors self-identified as in STEM education, identified from 36 journals. The remaining 9 journals either did not have publications that met our search terms or published in another language other than English (see the two separate lists in Table 1 ).

Data analysis

To address research question 3, we analyzed authorship to examine which countries/regions contributed to STEM education research over the years. Because each publication may have either one or multiple authors, we used two different methods to analyze authorship nationality that have been recognized as valuable from our review of IJ-STEM publications (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). The first method considers only the corresponding author’s (or the first author, if no specific indication is given about the corresponding author) nationality and his/her first institution affiliation, if multiple institution affiliations are listed. Method 2 considers every author of a publication, using the following formula (Howard, Cole, & Maxwell, 1987 ) to quantitatively assign and estimate each author’s contribution to a publication (and thus associated institution’s productivity), when multiple authors are included in a publication. As an example, each publication is given one credit point. For the publication co-authored by two, the first author would be given 0.6 and the second author 0.4 credit point. For an article contributed jointly by three authors, the three authors would be credited with scores of 0.47, 0.32, and 0.21, respectively.

After calculating all the scores for each author of each paper, we added all the credit scores together in terms of each author’s country/region. For brevity, we present only the top 10 countries/regions in terms of their total credit scores calculated using these two different methods, respectively.

To address research question 5, we used the same seven topic categories identified and used in our review of IJ-STEM publications (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). We tested coding 100 articles first to ensure the feasibility. Through test-coding and discussions, we found seven topic categories could be used to examine and classify all 798 items.

K-12 teaching, teacher, and teacher education in STEM (including both pre-service and in-service teacher education)

Post-secondary teacher and teaching in STEM (including faculty development, etc.)

K-12 STEM learner, learning, and learning environment

Post-secondary STEM learner, learning, and learning environments (excluding pre-service teacher education)

Policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment in STEM (including literature review about a field in general)

Culture and social and gender issues in STEM education

History, epistemology, and perspectives about STEM and STEM education

To address research question 6, we coded all 798 publications in terms of (1) qualitative methods, (2) quantitative methods, (3) mixed methods, and (4) non-empirical studies (including theoretical or conceptual papers, and literature reviews). We assigned each publication to only one research topic and one method, following the process used in the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). When there was more than one topic or method that could have been used for a publication, a decision was made in choosing and assigning a topic or a method. The agreement between two coders for all 798 publications was 89.5%. When topic and method coding discrepancies occurred, a final decision was reached after discussion.

Results and discussion

In the following sections, we report findings as corresponding to each of the six research questions.

The status and trends of journal publications in STEM education research from 2000 to 2018

Figure  1 shows the number of publications per year. As Fig.  1 shows, the number of publications increased each year beginning in 2010. There are noticeable jumps from 2015 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2018. The result shows that research in STEM education had grown significantly since 2010, and the most recent large number of STEM education publications also suggests that STEM education research gained its own recognition by many different journals for publication as a hot and important topic area.

figure 1

The distribution of STEM education publications over the years

Among the 798 articles, there were 549 articles with the word “STEM” (or STEAM, or written with the phrase of “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”) included in the article’s title or both title and abstract and 249 articles without such identifiers included in the title but abstract only. The results suggest that many scholars tended to include STEM in the publications’ titles to highlight their research in or about STEM education. Figure  2 shows the number of publications per year where publications are distinguished depending on whether they used the term STEM in the title or only in the abstract. The number of publications in both categories had significant increases since 2010. Use of the acronym STEM in the title was growing at a faster rate than using the acronym only in the abstract.

figure 2

The trends of STEM education publications with vs. without STEM included in the title

Not all the publications that used the acronym STEM in the title and/or abstract reported on a study involving all four STEM areas. For each publication, we further examined the number of the four areas involved in the reported study.

Figure  3 presents the number of publications categorized by the number of the four areas involved in the study, breaking down the distribution of these 798 publications in terms of the content scope being focused on. Studies involving all four STEM areas are the most numerous with 488 (61.2%) publications, followed by involving one area (141, 17.7%), then studies involving both STEM and non-STEM (84, 10.5%), and finally studies involving two or three areas of STEM (72, 9%; 13, 1.6%; respectively). Publications that used the acronym STEAM in either the title or abstract were classified as involving both STEM and non-STEM. For example, both of the following publications were included in this category.

Dika and D’Amico ( 2016 ). “Early experiences and integration in the persistence of first-generation college students in STEM and non-STEM majors.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching , 53 (3), 368–383. (Note: this article focused on early experience in both STEM and Non-STEM majors.)

Sochacka, Guyotte, and Walther ( 2016 ). “Learning together: A collaborative autoethnographic exploration of STEAM (STEM+ the Arts) education.” Journal of Engineering Education , 105 (1), 15–42. (Note: this article focused on STEAM (both STEM and Arts).)

figure 3

Publication distribution in terms of content scope being focused on. (Note: 1=single subject of STEM, 2=two subjects of STEM, 3=three subjects of STEM, 4=four subjects of STEM, 5=topics related to both STEM and non-STEM)

Figure  4 presents the number of publications per year in each of the five categories described earlier (category 1, one area of STEM; category 2, two areas of STEM; category 3, three areas of STEM; category 4, four areas of STEM; category 5, STEM and non-STEM). The category that had grown most rapidly since 2010 is the one involving all four areas. Recent growth in the number of publications in category 1 likely reflected growing interest of traditional individual disciplinary based educators in developing and sharing multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship in STEM education, as what was noted recently by Li and Schoenfeld ( 2019 ) with publications in IJ-STEM.

figure 4

Publication distribution in terms of content scope being focused on over the years

Patterns of publications across different journals

Among the 36 journals that published STEM education articles, two are general education research journals (referred to as “subject-0”), 12 with their titles containing one discipline of STEM (“subject-1”), eight with journal’s titles covering two disciplines of STEM (“subject-2”), six covering three disciplines of STEM (“subject-3”), seven containing the word STEM (“subject-4”), and one in STEAM education (“subject-5”).

Table  2 shows that both subject-0 and subject-1 journals were usually mature journals with a long history, and they were all traditional subscription-based journals, except the Journal of Pre - College Engineering Education Research , a subject-1 journal established in 2011 that provided open access (OA). In comparison to subject-0 and subject-1 journals, subject-2 and subject-3 journals were relatively newer but still had quite many years of history on average. There are also some more journals in these two categories that provided OA. Subject-4 and subject-5 journals had a short history, and most provided OA. The results show that well-established journals had tended to focus on individual disciplines or education research in general. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education journals were started some years later, followed by the recent establishment of several STEM or STEAM journals.

Table 2 also shows that subject-1, subject-2, and subject-4 journals published approximately a quarter each of the publications. The number of publications in subject-1 journals is interested, because we selected a relatively limited number of journals in this category. There are many other journals in the subject-1 category (as well as subject-0 journals) that we did not select, and thus it is very likely that we did not include some STEM education articles published in subject-0 or subject-1 journals that we did not include in our study.

Figure  5 shows the number of publications per year in each of the five categories described earlier (subject-0 through subject-5). The number of publications per year in subject-5 and subject-0 journals did not change much over the time period of the study. On the other hand, the number of publications per year in subject-4 (all 4 areas), subject-1 (single area), and subject-2 journals were all over 40 by the end of the study period. The number of publications per year in subject-3 journals increased but remained less than 30. At first sight, it may be a bit surprising that the number of publications in STEM education per year in subject-1 journals increased much faster than those in subject-2 journals over the past few years. However, as Table 2 indicates these journals had long been established with great reputations, and scholars would like to publish their research in such journals. In contrast to the trend in subject-1 journals, the trend in subject-4 journals suggests that STEM education journals collectively started to gain its own identity for publishing and sharing STEM education research.

figure 5

STEM education publication distribution across different journal categories over the years. (Note: 0=subject-0; 1=subject-1; 2=subject-2; 3=subject-3; 4=subject-4; 5=subject-5)

Figure  6 shows the number of STEM education publications in each journal where the bars are color-coded (yellow, subject-0; light blue, subject-1; green, subject-2; purple, subject-3; dark blue, subject-4; and black, subject-5). There is no clear pattern shown in terms of the overall number of STEM education publications across categories or journals, but very much individual journal-based performance. The result indicates that the number of STEM education publications might heavily rely on the individual journal’s willingness and capability of attracting STEM education research work and thus suggests the potential value of examining individual journal’s performance.

figure 6

Publication distribution across all 36 individual journals across different categories with the same color-coded for journals in the same subject category

The top five journals in terms of the number of STEM education publications are Journal of Science Education and Technology (80 publications, journal number 25 in Fig.  6 ), Journal of STEM Education (65 publications, journal number 26), International Journal of STEM Education (64 publications, journal number 17), International Journal of Engineering Education (54 publications, journal number 12), and School Science and Mathematics (41 publications, journal number 31). Among these five journals, two journals are specifically on STEM education (J26, J17), two on two subjects of STEM (J25, J31), and one on one subject of STEM (J12).

Figure  7 shows the number of STEM education publications per year in each of these top five journals. As expected, based on earlier trends, the number of publications per year increased over the study period. The largest increase was in the International Journal of STEM Education (J17) that was established in 2014. As the other four journals were all established in or before 2000, J17’s short history further suggests its outstanding performance in attracting and publishing STEM education articles since 2014 (Li, 2018b ; Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). The increase was consistent with the journal’s recognition as the first STEM education journal for inclusion in SSCI starting in 2019 (Li, 2019a ).

figure 7

Publication distribution of selected five journals over the years. (Note: J12: International Journal of Engineering Education; J17: International Journal of STEM Education; J25: Journal of Science Education and Technology; J26: Journal of STEM Education; J31: School Science and Mathematics)

Top 10 countries/regions where scholars contributed journal publications in STEM education

Table  3 shows top countries/regions in terms of the number of publications, where the country/region was established by the authorship using the two different methods presented above. About 75% (depending on the method) of contributions were made by authors from the USA, followed by Australia, Canada, Taiwan, and UK. Only Africa as a continent was not represented among the top 10 countries/regions. The results are relatively consistent with patterns reported in the IJ-STEM study (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 )

Further examination of Table 3 reveals that the two methods provide not only fairly consistent results but also yield some differences. For example, Israel and Germany had more publication credit if only the corresponding author was considered, but South Korea and Turkey had more publication credit when co-authors were considered. The results in Table 3 show that each method has value when analyzing and comparing publications by country/region or institution based on authorship.

Recognizing that, as shown in Fig. 1 , the number of publications per year increased rapidly since 2010, Table  4 shows the number of publications by country/region over a 10-year period (2009–2018) and Table 5 shows the number of publications by country/region over a 5-year period (2014–2018). The ranks in Tables  3 , 4 , and 5 are fairly consistent, but that would be expected since the larger numbers of publications in STEM education had occurred in recent years. At the same time, it is interesting to note in Table 5 some changes over the recent several years with Malaysia, but not Israel, entering the top 10 list when either method was used to calculate author's credit.

Patterns of single-author and multiple-author publications in STEM education

Since STEM education differs from traditional individual disciplinary education, we are interested in determining how common joint co-authorship with collaborations was in STEM education articles. Figure  8 shows that joint co-authorship was very common among these 798 STEM education publications, with 83.7% publications with two or more co-authors. Publications with two, three, or at least five co-authors were highest, with 204, 181, and 157 publications, respectively.

figure 8

Number of publications with single or different joint authorship. (Note: 1=single author; 2=two co-authors; 3=three co-authors; 4=four co-authors; 5=five or more co-authors)

Figure  9 shows the number of publications per year using the joint authorship categories in Fig.  8 . Each category shows an increase consistent with the increase shown in Fig. 1 for all 798 publications. By the end of the time period, the number of publications with two, three, or at least five co-authors was the largest, which might suggest an increase in collaborations in STEM education research.

figure 9

Publication distribution with single or different joint authorship over the years. (Note: 1=single author; 2=two co-authors; 3=three co-authors; 4=four co-authors; 5=five or more co-authors)

Co-authors can be from the same or different countries/regions. Figure  10 shows the number of publications per year by single authors (no collaboration), co-authors from the same country (collaboration in a country/region), and co-authors from different countries (collaboration across countries/regions). Each year the largest number of publications was by co-authors from the same country, and the number increased dramatically during the period of the study. Although the number of publications in the other two categories increased, the numbers of publications were noticeably fewer than the number of publications by co-authors from the same country.

figure 10

Publication distribution in authorship across different categories in terms of collaboration over the years

Published articles by research topics

Figure  11 shows the number of publications in each of the seven topic categories. The topic category of goals, policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment had almost half of publications (375, 47%). Literature reviews were included in this topic category, as providing an overview assessment of education and research development in a topic area or a field. Sample publications included in this category are listed as follows:

DeCoito ( 2016 ). “STEM education in Canada: A knowledge synthesis.” Canadian Journal of Science , Mathematics and Technology Education , 16 (2), 114–128. (Note: this article provides a national overview of STEM initiatives and programs, including success, criteria for effective programs and current research in STEM education.)

Ring-Whalen, Dare, Roehrig, Titu, and Crotty ( 2018 ). “From conception to curricula: The role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in integrated STEM units.” International Journal of Education in Mathematics Science and Technology , 6 (4), 343–362. (Note: this article investigates the conceptions of integrated STEM education held by in-service science teachers through the use of photo-elicitation interviews and examines how those conceptions were reflected in teacher-created integrated STEM curricula.)

Schwab et al. ( 2018 ). “A summer STEM outreach program run by graduate students: Successes, challenges, and recommendations for implementation.” Journal of Research in STEM Education , 4 (2), 117–129. (Note: the article details the organization and scope of the Foundation in Science and Mathematics Program and evaluates this program.)

figure 11

Frequencies of publications’ research topic distributions. (Note: 1=K-12 teaching, teacher and teacher education; 2=Post-secondary teacher and teaching; 3=K-12 STEM learner, learning, and learning environment; 4=Post-secondary STEM learner, learning, and learning environments; 5=Goals and policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment (including literature review); 6=Culture, social, and gender issues; 7=History, philosophy, Epistemology, and nature of STEM and STEM education)

The topic with the second most publications was “K-12 teaching, teacher and teacher education” (103, 12.9%), followed closely by “K-12 learner, learning, and learning environment” (97, 12.2%). The results likely suggest the research community had a broad interest in both teaching and learning in K-12 STEM education. The top three topics were the same in the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ).

Figure  11 also shows there was a virtual tie between two topics with the fourth most cumulative publications, “post-secondary STEM learner & learning” (76, 9.5%) and “culture, social, and gender issues in STEM” (78, 9.8%), such as STEM identity, students’ career choices in STEM, and inclusion. This result is different from the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ), where “post-secondary STEM teacher & teaching” and “post-secondary STEM learner & learning” were tied as the fourth most common topics. This difference is likely due to the scope of journals and the length of the time period being reviewed.

Figure  12 shows the number of publications per year in each topic category. As expected from the results in Fig.  11 the number of publications in topic category 5 (goals, policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment) was the largest each year. The numbers of publications in topic category 3 (K-12 learner, learning, and learning environment), 1 (K-12 teaching, teacher, and teacher education), 6 (culture, social, and gender issues in STEM), and 4 (post-secondary STEM learner and learning) were also increasing. Although Fig.  11 shows the number of publications in topic category 1 was slightly more than the number of publications in topic category 3 (see Fig.  11 ), the number of publications in topic category 3 was increasing more rapidly in recent years than its counterpart in topic category 1. This may suggest a more rapidly growing interest in K-12 STEM learner, learning, and learning environment. The numbers of publications in topic categories 2 and 7 were not increasing, but the number of publications in IJ-STEM in topic category 2 was notable (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). It will be interesting to follow trends in the seven topic categories in the future.

figure 12

Publication distributions in terms of research topics over the years

Published articles by research methods

Figure  13 shows the number of publications per year by research methods in empirical studies. Publications with non-empirical studies are shown in a separate category. Although the number of publications in each of the four categories increased during the study period, there were many more publications presenting empirical studies than those without. For those with empirical studies, the number of publications using quantitative methods increased most rapidly in recent years, followed by qualitative and then mixed methods. Although there were quite many publications with non-empirical studies (e.g., theoretical or conceptual papers, literature reviews) during the study period, the increase of the number of publications in this category was noticeably less than empirical studies.

figure 13

Publication distributions in terms of research methods over the years. (Note: 1=qualitative, 2=quantitative, 3=mixed, 4=Non-empirical)

Concluding remarks

The systematic analysis of publications that were considered to be in STEM education in 36 selected journals shows tremendous growth in scholarship in this field from 2000 to 2018, especially over the past 10 years. Our analysis indicates that STEM education research has been increasingly recognized as an important topic area and studies were being published across many different journals. Scholars still hold diverse perspectives about how research is designated as STEM education; however, authors have been increasingly distinguishing their articles with STEM, STEAM, or related words in the titles, abstracts, and lists of keywords during the past 10 years. Moreover, our systematic analysis shows a dramatic increase in the number of publications in STEM education journals in recent years, which indicates that these journals have been collectively developing their own professional identity. In addition, the International Journal of STEM Education has become the first STEM education journal to be accepted in SSCI in 2019 (Li, 2019a ). The achievement may mark an important milestone as STEM education journals develop their own identity for publishing and sharing STEM education research.

Consistent with our previous reviews (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ; Li, Wang, & Xiao, 2019 ), the vast majority of publications in STEM education research were contributed by authors from the USA, where STEM and STEAM education originated, followed by Australia, Canada, and Taiwan. At the same time, authors in some countries/regions in Asia were becoming very active in the field over the past several years. This trend is consistent with findings from the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). We certainly hope that STEM education scholarship continues its development across all five continents to support educational initiatives and programs in STEM worldwide.

Our analysis has shown that collaboration, as indicated by publications with multiple authors, has been very common among STEM education scholars, as that is often how STEM education distinguishes itself from the traditional individual disciplinary based education. Currently, most collaborations occurred among authors from the same country/region, although collaborations across cross-countries/regions were slowly increasing.

With the rapid changes in STEM education internationally (Li, 2019b ), it is often difficult for researchers to get an overall sense about possible hot topics in STEM education especially when STEM education publications appeared in a vast array of journals across different fields. Our systematic analysis of publications has shown that studies in the topic category of goals, policy, curriculum, evaluation, and assessment have been the most prevalent, by far. Our analysis also suggests that the research community had a broad interest in both teaching and learning in K-12 STEM education. These top three topic categories are the same as in the IJ-STEM review (Li, Froyd, & Wang, 2019 ). Work in STEM education will continue to evolve and it will be interesting to review the trends in another 5 years.

Encouraged by our recent IJ-STEM review, we began this review with an ambitious goal to provide an overview of the status and trends of STEM education research. In a way, this systematic review allowed us to achieve our initial goal with a larger scope of journal selection over a much longer period of publication time. At the same time, there are still limitations, such as the decision to limit the number of journals from which we would identify publications for analysis. We understand that there are many publications on STEM education research that were not included in our review. Also, we only identified publications in journals. Although this is one of the most important outlets for scholars to share their research work, future reviews could examine publications on STEM education research in other venues such as books, conference proceedings, and grant proposals.

Availability of data and materials

The data and materials used and analyzed for the report are publicly available at the various journal websites.

Journals containing the word "computers" or "ICT" appeared automatically when searching with the word "technology". Thus, the word of "computers" or "ICT" was taken as equivalent to "technology" if appeared in a journal's name.

Abbreviations

Information and Communications Technology

International Journal of STEM Education

Kindergarten–Grade 12

Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

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Li, Y., Wang, K., Xiao, Y. et al. Research and trends in STEM education: a systematic review of journal publications. IJ STEM Ed 7 , 11 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00207-6

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  • Ying-Shao Hsu   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1635-8213 1 , 2 ,
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This study explored research trends in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Descriptive analysis and co-word analysis were used to examine articles published in Social Science Citation Index journals from 2011 to 2020. From a search of the Web of Science database, a total of 761 articles were selected as target samples for analysis. A growing number of STEM-related publications were published after 2016. The most frequently used keywords in these sample papers were also identified. Further analysis identified the leading journals and most represented countries among the target articles. A series of co-word analyses were conducted to reveal word co-occurrence according to the title, keywords, and abstract. Gender moderated engagement in STEM learning and career selection. Higher education was critical in training a STEM workforce to satisfy societal requirements for STEM roles. Our findings indicated that the attention of STEM education researchers has shifted to the professional development of teachers. Discussions and potential research directions in the field are included.

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Hsu, YS., Tang, KY. & Lin, TC. Trends and Hot Topics of STEM and STEM Education: a Co-word Analysis of Literature Published in 2011–2020. Sci & Educ (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-023-00419-6

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Science isn’t merely for scientists. Understanding science is part of being a well-rounded and informed citizen. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education research is dedicated to studying the nature of learning, the impact of different science teaching strategies, and the most effective ways to recruit and retain the next generation of scientists.

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian STEM education researchers are engaged in a number of projects:

Developing research-based tests for use in evaluating students’ knowledge of science concepts. These tests are designed to check for common differences in the way non-scientists understand a subject as compared to scientists. When offered at the beginning and end of science courses, they assess whether instruction has resulted in students' conceptual growth. The tests are freely available for education researchers and teachers, and cover the full range of elementary, secondary, and university courses in science. Misconception-Orientation Standard-Based Assessment Resources for Teachers (MOSART)

Studying ways to improve students’ preparation for introductory STEM courses in college. Students arrive at college with varying pre-college educational experiences, which often influence how well they do in their first STEM classes. To keep interested students in STEM programs, researchers look at measurable factors that predict improved performance. Factors Influencing College Success in STEM (FICS)

Discerning factors that strengthen students’ interest in pursuing a STEM career. Education researchers look at a whole range of pre-college experiences in and out of school that can affect students’ interest in pursuing STEM careers, in order to see both what encourages and what drives them away. Persistence in STEM (PRiSE)

Examining predictors of student outcomes in MOOCs. Many universities have implemented MOOCs to provide academic resources beyond the university, but the research on how well they perform compared with ordinary classes is scant. In addition, MOOCs are frequently plagued by students dropping out. By studying actual implementations of MOOCs, SED researchers hope to gather evidence to explain why many students don’t stick with the course through the end. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Advancing Science Teaching and Learning

Public understanding of science is essential for our democratic society. At the same time, white female students and students of color are underrepresented across STEM fields, which is a problem both from equity and workforce demand perspectives. For these reasons, researchers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian study how to improve science teaching and learning.

The Science Education Department (SED) at the Center for Astrophysics is dedicated to researching how people learn, and identifying measurable ways to evaluate learning for students in STEM classes. SED researchers have developed assessment tools designed to evaluate students’ conceptual knowledge for all levels from elementary school through university. These tests are freely available for teachers and other education specialists. Experts in the program also study the educational outcomes of massive open online courses (MOOCs) , which are widely used by universities despite the current lack of evidence on their effectiveness.

A current challenge of STEM education is the substantial underrepresentation of white female scientists and scientists of color across STEM fields, which limits the potential for innovation and excellence in scientific research. To address this problem, SED researchers study variables that predict persistence of students within the STEM pipeline, factors that impact achievement by students in STEM courses, and the development of science identity.

In addition to pursuing fundamental STEM education research, Harvard and Smithsonian educators translate these findings into practice by developing innovative science programs, curricula, interactive media, and technology-based tools for STEM learning. These research-based resources are used by educational audiences in the United States and around the world. The significance of SED’s work has been recognized in the form of grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Institutes of Health.

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Cambridge Explores the Universe 2018, held at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, MA.

Students work with the CFA

A student working with a professional astronomer at the Cambridge Explores the Universe 2018, held at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, MA.

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200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students In 2023

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For Stem Students

STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, which is not the only stuff we learn in school. It is like a treasure chest of skills that help students become great problem solvers, ready to tackle the real world’s challenges.

In this blog, we are here to explore the world of Research Topics for STEM Students. We will break down what STEM really means and why it is so important for students. In addition, we will give you the lowdown on how to pick a fascinating research topic. We will explain a list of 200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students.

And when it comes to writing a research title, we will guide you step by step. So, stay with us as we unlock the exciting world of STEM research – it is not just about grades; it is about growing smarter, more confident, and happier along the way.

What Is STEM?

Table of Contents

STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is a way of talking about things like learning, jobs, and activities related to these four important subjects. Science is about understanding the world around us, technology is about using tools and machines to solve problems, engineering is about designing and building things, and mathematics is about numbers and solving problems with them. STEM helps us explore, discover, and create cool stuff that makes our world better and more exciting.

Why STEM Research Is Important?

STEM research is important because it helps us learn new things about the world and solve problems. When scientists, engineers, and mathematicians study these subjects, they can discover cures for diseases, create new technology that makes life easier, and build things that help us live better. It is like a big puzzle where we put together pieces of knowledge to make our world safer, healthier, and more fun.

  • STEM research leads to new discoveries and solutions.
  • It helps find cures for diseases.
  • STEM technology makes life easier.
  • Engineers build things that improve our lives.
  • Mathematics helps us understand and solve complex problems.

How to Choose a Topic for STEM Research Paper

Here are some steps to choose a topic for STEM Research Paper:

Step 1: Identify Your Interests

Think about what you like and what excites you in science, technology, engineering, or math. It could be something you learned in school, saw in the news, or experienced in your daily life. Choosing a topic you’re passionate about makes the research process more enjoyable.

Step 2: Research Existing Topics

Look up different STEM research areas online, in books, or at your library. See what scientists and experts are studying. This can give you ideas and help you understand what’s already known in your chosen field.

Step 3: Consider Real-World Problems

Think about the problems you see around you. Are there issues in your community or the world that STEM can help solve? Choosing a topic that addresses a real-world problem can make your research impactful.

Step 4: Talk to Teachers and Mentors

Discuss your interests with your teachers, professors, or mentors. They can offer guidance and suggest topics that align with your skills and goals. They may also provide resources and support for your research.

Step 5: Narrow Down Your Topic

Once you have some ideas, narrow them down to a specific research question or project. Make sure it’s not too broad or too narrow. You want a topic that you can explore in depth within the scope of your research paper.

Here we will discuss 200+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students: 

Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding phenomena through non-numerical data and subjective experiences. Here are 10 qualitative research topics for STEM students:

  • Exploring the experiences of female STEM students in overcoming gender bias in academia.
  • Understanding the perceptions of teachers regarding the integration of technology in STEM education.
  • Investigating the motivations and challenges of STEM educators in underprivileged schools.
  • Exploring the attitudes and beliefs of parents towards STEM education for their children.
  • Analyzing the impact of collaborative learning on student engagement in STEM subjects.
  • Investigating the experiences of STEM professionals in bridging the gap between academia and industry.
  • Understanding the cultural factors influencing STEM career choices among minority students.
  • Exploring the role of mentorship in the career development of STEM graduates.
  • Analyzing the perceptions of students towards the ethics of emerging STEM technologies like AI and CRISPR.
  • Investigating the emotional well-being and stress levels of STEM students during their academic journey.

Easy Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students:

These experimental research topics are relatively straightforward and suitable for STEM students who are new to research:

  •  Measuring the effect of different light wavelengths on plant growth.
  •  Investigating the relationship between exercise and heart rate in various age groups.
  •  Testing the effectiveness of different insulating materials in conserving heat.
  •  Examining the impact of pH levels on the rate of chemical reactions.
  •  Studying the behavior of magnets in different temperature conditions.
  •  Investigating the effect of different concentrations of a substance on bacterial growth.
  •  Testing the efficiency of various sunscreen brands in blocking UV radiation.
  •  Measuring the impact of music genres on concentration and productivity.
  •  Examining the correlation between the angle of a ramp and the speed of a rolling object.
  •  Investigating the relationship between the number of blades on a wind turbine and energy output.

Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines:

These research topics are tailored for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Assessing the impact of climate change on the biodiversity of coral reefs in the Philippines.
  •  Studying the potential of indigenous plants in the Philippines for medicinal purposes.
  •  Investigating the feasibility of harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind in rural Filipino communities.
  •  Analyzing the water quality and pollution levels in major rivers and lakes in the Philippines.
  •  Exploring sustainable agricultural practices for small-scale farmers in the Philippines.
  •  Assessing the prevalence and impact of dengue fever outbreaks in urban areas of the Philippines.
  •  Investigating the challenges and opportunities of STEM education in remote Filipino islands.
  •  Studying the impact of typhoons and natural disasters on infrastructure resilience in the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the genetic diversity of endemic species in the Philippine rainforests.
  •  Assessing the effectiveness of disaster preparedness programs in Philippine communities.

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Good Research Topics for STEM Students:

These research topics are considered good because they offer interesting avenues for investigation and learning:

  •  Developing a low-cost and efficient water purification system for rural communities.
  •  Investigating the potential use of CRISPR-Cas9 for gene therapy in genetic disorders.
  •  Studying the applications of blockchain technology in securing medical records.
  •  Analyzing the impact of 3D printing on customized prosthetics for amputees.
  •  Exploring the use of artificial intelligence in predicting and preventing forest fires.
  •  Investigating the effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Analyzing the use of drones in monitoring and managing agricultural crops.
  •  Studying the potential of quantum computing in solving complex optimization problems.
  •  Investigating the development of biodegradable materials for sustainable packaging.
  •  Exploring the ethical implications of gene editing in humans.

Unique Research Topics for STEM Students:

Unique research topics can provide STEM students with the opportunity to explore unconventional and innovative ideas. Here are 10 unique research topics for STEM students:

  •  Investigating the use of bioluminescent organisms for sustainable lighting solutions.
  •  Studying the potential of using spider silk proteins for advanced materials in engineering.
  •  Exploring the application of quantum entanglement for secure communication in the field of cryptography.
  •  Analyzing the feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy from underwater volcanoes.
  •  Investigating the use of CRISPR-Cas12 for rapid and cost-effective disease diagnostics.
  •  Studying the interaction between artificial intelligence and human creativity in art and music generation.
  •  Exploring the development of edible packaging materials to reduce plastic waste.
  •  Investigating the impact of microgravity on cellular behavior and tissue regeneration in space.
  •  Analyzing the potential of using sound waves to detect and combat invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Studying the use of biotechnology in reviving extinct species, such as the woolly mammoth.

Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Research topics for STEM students in the Philippines can address specific regional challenges and opportunities. Here are 10 experimental research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Assessing the effectiveness of locally sourced materials for disaster-resilient housing construction in typhoon-prone areas.
  •  Investigating the utilization of indigenous plants for natural remedies in Filipino traditional medicine.
  •  Studying the impact of volcanic soil on crop growth and agriculture in volcanic regions of the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the water quality and purification methods in remote island communities.
  •  Exploring the feasibility of using bamboo as a sustainable construction material in the Philippines.
  •  Investigating the potential of using solar stills for freshwater production in water-scarce regions.
  •  Studying the effects of climate change on the migration patterns of bird species in the Philippines.
  •  Analyzing the growth and sustainability of coral reefs in marine protected areas.
  •  Investigating the utilization of coconut waste for biofuel production.
  •  Studying the biodiversity and conservation efforts in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Capstone Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines:

Capstone research projects are often more comprehensive and can address real-world issues. Here are 10 capstone research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  •  Designing a low-cost and sustainable sanitation system for informal settlements in urban Manila.
  •  Developing a mobile app for monitoring and reporting natural disasters in the Philippines.
  •  Assessing the impact of climate change on the availability and quality of drinking water in Philippine cities.
  •  Designing an efficient traffic management system to address congestion in major Filipino cities.
  •  Analyzing the health implications of air pollution in densely populated urban areas of the Philippines.
  •  Developing a renewable energy microgrid for off-grid communities in the archipelago.
  •  Assessing the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for agricultural monitoring in rural Philippines.
  •  Designing a low-cost and sustainable aquaponics system for urban agriculture.
  •  Investigating the potential of vertical farming to address food security in densely populated urban areas.
  •  Developing a disaster-resilient housing prototype suitable for typhoon-prone regions.

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students:

Experimental quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to conclude. Here are 10 Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students interested in experimental quantitative research:

  •  Examining the impact of different fertilizers on crop yield in agriculture.
  •  Investigating the relationship between exercise and heart rate among different age groups.
  •  Analyzing the effect of varying light intensities on photosynthesis in plants.
  •  Studying the efficiency of various insulation materials in reducing building heat loss.
  •  Investigating the relationship between pH levels and the rate of corrosion in metals.
  •  Analyzing the impact of different concentrations of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems.
  •  Examining the effectiveness of different antibiotics on bacterial growth.
  •  Trying to figure out how temperature affects how thick liquids are.
  •  Finding out if there is a link between the amount of pollution in the air and lung illnesses in cities.
  •  Analyzing the efficiency of solar panels in converting sunlight into electricity under varying conditions.

Descriptive Research Topics for STEM Students

Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed account or description of a phenomenon. Here are 10 topics for STEM students interested in descriptive research:

  •  Describing the physical characteristics and behavior of a newly discovered species of marine life.
  •  Documenting the geological features and formations of a particular region.
  •  Creating a detailed inventory of plant species in a specific ecosystem.
  •  Describing the properties and behavior of a new synthetic polymer.
  •  Documenting the daily weather patterns and climate trends in a particular area.
  •  Providing a comprehensive analysis of the energy consumption patterns in a city.
  •  Describing the structural components and functions of a newly developed medical device.
  •  Documenting the characteristics and usage of traditional construction materials in a region.
  •  Providing a detailed account of the microbiome in a specific environmental niche.
  •  Describing the life cycle and behavior of a rare insect species.

Research Topics for STEM Students in the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many research opportunities for STEM students. Here are 10 research topics related to pandemics:

  •  Analyzing the effectiveness of various personal protective equipment (PPE) in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses.
  •  Studying the impact of lockdown measures on air quality and pollution levels in urban areas.
  •  Investigating the psychological effects of quarantine and social isolation on mental health.
  •  Analyzing the genomic variation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its implications for vaccine development.
  •  Studying the efficacy of different disinfection methods on various surfaces.
  •  Investigating the role of contact tracing apps in tracking & controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
  •  Analyzing the economic impact of the pandemic on different industries and sectors.
  •  Studying the effectiveness of remote learning in STEM education during lockdowns.
  •  Investigating the social disparities in healthcare access during a pandemic.
  • Analyzing the ethical considerations surrounding vaccine distribution and prioritization.

Research Topics for STEM Students Middle School

Research topics for middle school STEM students should be engaging and suitable for their age group. Here are 10 research topics:

  • Investigating the growth patterns of different types of mold on various food items.
  • Studying the negative effects of music on plant growth and development.
  • Analyzing the relationship between the shape of a paper airplane and its flight distance.
  • Investigating the properties of different materials in making effective insulators for hot and cold beverages.
  • Studying the effect of salt on the buoyancy of different objects in water.
  • Analyzing the behavior of magnets when exposed to different temperatures.
  • Investigating the factors that affect the rate of ice melting in different environments.
  • Studying the impact of color on the absorption of heat by various surfaces.
  • Analyzing the growth of crystals in different types of solutions.
  • Investigating the effectiveness of different natural repellents against common pests like mosquitoes.

Technology Research Topics for STEM Students

Technology is at the forefront of STEM fields. Here are 10 research topics for STEM students interested in technology:

  • Developing and optimizing algorithms for autonomous drone navigation in complex environments.
  • Exploring the use of blockchain technology for enhancing the security and transparency of supply chains.
  • Investigating the applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in medical training and surgery simulations.
  • Studying the potential of 3D printing for creating personalized prosthetics and orthopedic implants.
  • Analyzing the ethical and privacy implications of facial recognition technology in public spaces.
  • Investigating the development of quantum computing algorithms for solving complex optimization problems.
  • Explaining the use of machine learning and AI in predicting and mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
  • Studying the advancement of brain-computer interfaces for assisting individuals with
  • disabilities.
  • Analyzing the role of wearable technology in monitoring and improving personal health and wellness.
  • Investigating the use of robotics in disaster response and search and rescue operations.

Scientific Research Topics for STEM Students

Scientific research encompasses a wide range of topics. Here are 10 research topics for STEM students focusing on scientific exploration:

  • Investigating the behavior of subatomic particles in high-energy particle accelerators.
  • Studying the ecological impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.
  • Analyzing the genetics of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and its implications for healthcare.
  • Exploring the physics of gravitational waves and their detection through advanced interferometry.
  • Investigating the neurobiology of memory formation and retention in the human brain.
  • Studying the biodiversity and adaptation of extremophiles in harsh environments.
  • Analyzing the chemistry of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their potential for life beyond Earth.
  • Exploring the properties of superconductors and their applications in technology.
  • Investigating the mechanisms of stem cell differentiation for regenerative medicine.
  • Studying the dynamics of climate change and its impact on global ecosystems.

Interesting Research Topics for STEM Students:

Engaging and intriguing research topics can foster a passion for STEM. Here are 10 interesting research topics for STEM students:

  • Exploring the science behind the formation of auroras and their cultural significance.
  • Investigating the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy in the universe.
  • Studying the psychology of decision-making in high-pressure situations, such as sports or
  • emergencies.
  • Analyzing the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships and mental health.
  • Exploring the potential for using genetic modification to create disease-resistant crops.
  • Investigating the cognitive processes involved in solving complex puzzles and riddles.
  • Studying the history and evolution of cryptography and encryption methods.
  • Analyzing the physics of time travel and its theoretical possibilities.
  • Exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence  in creating art and music.
  • Investigating the science of happiness and well-being, including factors contributing to life satisfaction.

Practical Research Topics for STEM Students

Practical research often leads to real-world solutions. Here are 10 practical research topics for STEM students:

  • Developing an affordable and sustainable water purification system for rural communities.
  • Designing a low-cost, energy-efficient home heating and cooling system.
  • Investigating strategies for reducing food waste in the supply chain and households.
  • Studying the effectiveness of eco-friendly pest control methods in agriculture.
  • Analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration on the stability of power grids.
  • Developing a smartphone app for early detection of common medical conditions.
  • Investigating the feasibility of vertical farming for urban food production.
  • Designing a system for recycling and upcycling electronic waste.
  • Studying the environmental benefits of green roofs and their potential for urban heat island mitigation.
  • Analyzing the efficiency of alternative transportation methods in reducing carbon emissions.

Experimental Research Topics for STEM Students About Plants

Plants offer a rich field for experimental research. Here are 10 experimental research topics about plants for STEM students:

  • Investigating the effect of different light wavelengths on plant growth and photosynthesis.
  • Studying the impact of various fertilizers and nutrient solutions on crop yield.
  • Analyzing the response of plants to different types and concentrations of plant hormones.
  • Investigating the role of mycorrhizal in enhancing nutrient uptake in plants.
  • Studying the effects of drought stress and water scarcity on plant physiology and adaptation mechanisms.
  • Analyzing the influence of soil pH on plant nutrient availability and growth.
  • Investigating the chemical signaling and defense mechanisms of plants against herbivores.
  • Studying the impact of environmental pollutants on plant health and genetic diversity.
  • Analyzing the role of plant secondary metabolites in pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.
  • Investigating the interactions between plants and beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere.

Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Qualitative research in the Philippines can address local issues and cultural contexts. Here are 10 qualitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines:

  • Exploring indigenous knowledge and practices in sustainable agriculture in Filipino communities.
  • Studying the perceptions and experiences of Filipino fishermen in coping with climate change impacts.
  • Analyzing the cultural significance and traditional uses of medicinal plants in indigenous Filipino communities.
  • Investigating the barriers and facilitators of STEM education access in remote Philippine islands.
  • Exploring the role of traditional Filipino architecture in natural disaster resilience.
  • Studying the impact of indigenous farming methods on soil conservation and fertility.
  • Analyzing the cultural and environmental significance of mangroves in coastal Filipino regions.
  • Investigating the knowledge and practices of Filipino healers in treating common ailments.
  • Exploring the cultural heritage and conservation efforts of the Ifugao rice terraces.
  • Studying the perceptions and practices of Filipino communities in preserving marine biodiversity.

Science Research Topics for STEM Students

Science offers a diverse range of research avenues. Here are 10 science research topics for STEM students:

  • Investigating the potential of gene editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 in curing genetic diseases.
  • Studying the ecological impacts of species reintroduction programs on local ecosystems.
  • Analyzing the effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic food webs and ecosystems.
  • Investigating the link between air pollution and respiratory health in urban populations.
  • Studying the role of epigenetics in the inheritance of acquired traits in organisms.
  • Analyzing the physiology and adaptations of extremophiles in extreme environments on Earth.
  • Investigating the genetics of longevity and factors influencing human lifespan.
  • Studying the behavioral ecology and communication strategies of social insects.
  • Analyzing the effects of deforestation on global climate patterns and biodiversity loss.
  • Investigating the potential of synthetic biology in creating bioengineered organisms for beneficial applications.

Correlational Research Topics for STEM Students

Correlational research focuses on relationships between variables. Here are 10 correlational research topics for STEM students:

  • Analyzing the correlation between dietary habits and the incidence of chronic diseases.
  • Studying the relationship between exercise frequency and mental health outcomes.
  • Investigating the correlation between socioeconomic status and access to quality healthcare.
  • Analyzing the link between social media usage and self-esteem in adolescents.
  • Studying the correlation between academic performance and sleep duration among students.
  • Investigating the relationship between environmental factors and the prevalence of allergies.
  • Analyzing the correlation between technology use and attention span in children.
  • Studying how environmental factors are related to the frequency of allergies.
  • Investigating the link between parental involvement in education and student achievement.
  • Analyzing the correlation between temperature fluctuations and wildlife migration patterns.

Quantitative Research Topics for STEM Students in the Philippines

Quantitative research in the Philippines can address specific regional issues. Here are 10 quantitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines

  • Analyzing the impact of typhoons on coastal erosion rates in the Philippines.
  • Studying the quantitative effects of land use change on watershed hydrology in Filipino regions.
  • Investigating the quantitative relationship between deforestation and habitat loss for endangered species.
  • Analyzing the quantitative patterns of marine biodiversity in Philippine coral reef ecosystems.
  • Studying the quantitative assessment of water quality in major Philippine rivers and lakes.
  • Investigating the quantitative analysis of renewable energy potential in specific Philippine provinces.
  • Analyzing the quantitative impacts of agricultural practices on soil health and fertility.
  • Studying the quantitative effectiveness of mangrove restoration in coastal protection in the Philippines.
  • Investigating the quantitative evaluation of indigenous agricultural practices for sustainability.
  • Analyzing the quantitative patterns of air pollution and its health impacts in urban Filipino areas.

Things That Must Keep In Mind While Writing Quantitative Research Title 

Here are few things that must be keep in mind while writing quantitative research tile:

1. Be Clear and Precise

Make sure your research title is clear and says exactly what your study is about. People should easily understand the topic and goals of your research by reading the title.

2. Use Important Words

Include words that are crucial to your research, like the main subjects, who you’re studying, and how you’re doing your research. This helps others find your work and understand what it’s about.

3. Avoid Confusing Words

Stay away from words that might confuse people. Your title should be easy to grasp, even if someone isn’t an expert in your field.

4. Show Your Research Approach

Tell readers what kind of research you did, like experiments or surveys. This gives them a hint about how you conducted your study.

5. Match Your Title with Your Research Questions

Make sure your title matches the questions you’re trying to answer in your research. It should give a sneak peek into what your study is all about and keep you on the right track as you work on it.

STEM students, addressing what STEM is and why research matters in this field. It offered an extensive list of research topics , including experimental, qualitative, and regional options, catering to various academic levels and interests. Whether you’re a middle school student or pursuing advanced studies, these topics offer a wealth of ideas. The key takeaway is to choose a topic that resonates with your passion and aligns with your goals, ensuring a successful journey in STEM research. Choose the best Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For Stem Students today!

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161+ Exciting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

161+ Exciting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Are you doing Qualitative research? Looking for the best qualitative research topics for stem students? It is a most interesting and good field for research. Qualitative research allows STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students to delve deeper into complex issues, explore human behavior, and understand the intricacies of the world around them.

In this article, we’ll provide you with an extensive list of 161+ qualitative research topics tailored to STEM students. We’ll also explore how to find and choose good qualitative research topics, and why these topics are particularly beneficial for students, including those in high school.

Also Like To Read: 171+ Brilliant Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Table of Contents

What Are Qualitative Research Topics for STEM Students

Qualitative research topics for stem students are questions or issues that necessitate an in-depth exploration of people’s experiences, beliefs, and behaviors. STEM students can use this approach to investigate societal impacts, ethical dilemmas, and user experiences related to scientific advancements and innovations.

Unlike quantitative research, which focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis, qualitative research delves into the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of a particular phenomenon.

How to Find and Choose Good Qualitative Research Topics

Selecting qualitative research topics for stem students is a crucial step in the research process. Here are some tips to help you find and choose a suitable topic:

How to Find and Choose Good Qualitative Research Topics

  • Passion and Interest: Start by considering your personal interests and passions. What topics within STEM excite you? Research becomes more engaging when you’re genuinely interested in the subject.
  • Relevance: Choose qualitative research topics for stem students. Look for gaps in the existing knowledge or unanswered questions.
  • Literature Review: Conduct a thorough literature review to identify the latest trends and areas where qualitative research is lacking. This can guide you in selecting a topic that contributes to the field.
  • Feasibility: Ensure that your chosen topic is feasible within the resources and time constraints available to you. Some research topics may require extensive resources and funding.
  • Ethical Considerations: Be aware of ethical concerns related to your qualitative research topics for stem students, especially when dealing with human subjects or sensitive issues.

Here are the most exciting and very interesting Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students, high school students, nursing students, college students, etc.

Biology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Impact of Ecosystem Restoration on Biodiversity
  • Ethical Considerations in Human Gene Editing
  • Public Perceptions of Biotechnology in Agriculture
  • Coping Mechanisms and Stress Responses in Marine Biologists
  • Cultural Perspectives on Traditional Herbal Medicine
  • Community Attitudes Toward Wildlife Conservation Efforts
  • Ethical Issues in Animal Testing and Research
  • Indigenous Knowledge and Ethnobotany
  • Psychological Well-being of Conservation Biologists
  • Attitudes Toward Endangered Species Protection

Chemistry Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Adoption of Green Chemistry Practices in the Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Public Perception of Chemical Safety in Household Products
  • Strategies for Improving Chemistry Education
  • Art Conservation and Chemical Analysis
  • Consumer Attitudes Toward Organic Chemistry in Everyday Life
  • Ethical Considerations in Chemical Waste Disposal
  • The Role of Chemistry in Sustainable Agriculture
  • Perceptions of Nanomaterials and Their Applications
  • Chemistry-Related Career Aspirations in High School Students
  • Cultural Beliefs and Traditional Chemical Practices

Physics Qualitative Research Topics

  • Gender Bias in Physics Education and Career Progression
  • Philosophical Implications of Quantum Mechanics
  • Public Understanding of Renewable Energy Technologies
  • Influence of Science Fiction on Scientific Research
  • Perceptions of Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe
  • Student Experiences in High School Physics Classes
  • Physics Outreach Programs and Their Impact on Communities
  • Cultural Variations in the Perception of Time and Space
  • Role of Physics in Environmental Conservation
  • Public Engagement with Science Through Astronomy Events

Engineering Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
  • Human-Centered Design in Engineering
  • Innovation and Sustainability in Civil Engineering
  • Public Perception of Self-Driving Cars
  • Engineering Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation
  • Experiences of Women in Male-Dominated Engineering Fields
  • Role of Engineers in Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Ethical Considerations in Technology Patents
  • Perceptions of Engineering Education and Career Prospects
  • Students Views on the Role of Engineers in Society

Computer Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • Gender Diversity in Tech Companies
  • Ethical Implications of AI-Powered Decision-Making
  • User Experience and Interface Design
  • Cybersecurity Awareness and Behaviors
  • Digital Privacy Concerns and Practices
  • Social Media Use and Mental Health in College Students
  • Gaming Culture and its Impact on Social Interactions
  • Student Attitudes Toward Coding and Programming
  • Online Learning Platforms and Student Satisfaction
  • Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life

Mathematics Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Gender Stereotypes in Mathematics Education
  • Cultural Variations in Problem-Solving Approaches
  • Perception of Math in Everyday Life
  • Math Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms
  • Historical Development of Mathematical Concepts
  • Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among Elementary School Students
  • Role of Mathematics in Solving Real-World Problems
  • Homeschooling Approaches to Teaching Mathematics
  • Effectiveness of Math Tutoring Programs
  • Math-Related Stereotypes in Society

Environmental Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • Local Communities’ Responses to Climate Change
  • Public Understanding of Conservation Practices
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Perspectives
  • Environmental Education and Behavior Change
  • Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation
  • Conservation Awareness and Behavior of Tourists
  • Climate Change Perceptions Among Youth
  • Perceptions of Water Scarcity and Resource Management
  • Environmental Activism and Youth Engagement
  • Community Responses to Environmental Disasters

Geology and Earth Sciences Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Geologists’ Risk Perception and Decision-Making
  • Volcano Hazard Preparedness in At-Risk Communities
  • Public Attitudes Toward Geological Hazards
  • Environmental Consequences of Extractive Industries
  • Perceptions of Geological Time and Deep Earth Processes
  • Use of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Research
  • Role of Geology in Disaster Preparedness and Response
  • Geological Factors Influencing Urban Planning
  • Community Engagement in Geoscience Education
  • Climate Change Communication and Public Understanding

Astronomy and Space Science Qualitative Research Topics

  • The Role of Science Communication in Astronomy Education
  • Perceptions of Space Exploration and Colonization
  • UFO and Extraterrestrial Life Beliefs
  • Public Understanding of Black Holes and Neutron Stars
  • Space Tourism and Future Space Travel
  • Impact of Space Science Outreach Programs on Student Interest
  • Cultural Beliefs and Rituals Related to Celestial Events
  • Space Science in Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Public Engagement with Astronomical Phenomena
  • Space Exploration in Science Fiction and Popular Culture

Medicine and Health Sciences Qualitative Research Topics

  • Patient-Physician Communication and Trust
  • Ethical Considerations in Human Cloning and Genetic Modification
  • Public Attitudes Toward Vaccination
  • Coping Strategies for Healthcare Workers in Pandemics
  • Cultural Beliefs and Health Practices
  • Health Disparities Among Underserved Communities
  • Medical Decision-Making and Informed Consent
  • Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behavior
  • Wellness Practices and Health-Related Beliefs
  • Perceptions of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Psychology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Perceptions of Body Image in Different Cultures
  • Workplace Stress and Coping Mechanisms
  • LGBTQ+ Youth Experiences and Well-Being
  • Cross-Cultural Differences in Parenting Styles and Outcomes
  • Perceptions of Psychotherapy and Counseling
  • Attitudes Toward Medication for Mental Health Conditions
  • Psychological Well-being of Older Adults
  • Role of Cultural and Social Factors in Psychological Well-being
  • Technology Use and Its Impact on Mental Health

Social Sciences Qualitative Research Topics

  • Political Polarization and Online Echo Chambers
  • Immigration and Acculturation Experiences
  • Educational Inequality and School Policy
  • Youth Engagement in Environmental Activism
  • Identity and Social Media in the Digital Age
  • Social Media and Its Influence on Political Beliefs
  • Family Dynamics and Conflict Resolution
  • Social Support and Coping Strategies in College Students
  • Perceptions of Cyberbullying Among Adolescents
  • Impact of Social Movements on Societal Change

Interesting Sociology Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Perceptions of Racial Inequality and Discrimination
  • Aging and Quality of Life in Elderly Populations
  • Gender Roles and Expectations in Relationships
  • Online Communities and Social Support
  • Cultural Practices and Beliefs Related to Marriage
  • Family Dynamics and Coping Mechanisms
  • Perceptions of Community Safety and Policing
  • Attitudes Toward Social Welfare Programs
  • Influence of Media on Perceptions of Social Issues
  • Youth Perspectives on Education and Career Aspirations

Anthropology Qualitative Research Topics

  • Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation
  • Cultural Variation in Parenting Practices
  • Indigenous Language Revitalization Efforts
  • Social Impacts of Tourism on Indigenous Communities
  • Rituals and Ceremonies in Different Cultural Contexts
  • Food and Identity in Cultural Practices
  • Traditional Healing and Healthcare Practices
  • Indigenous Rights and Land Conservation
  • Ethnographic Studies of Marginalized Communities
  • Cultural Practices Surrounding Death and Mourning

Economics and Business Qualitative Research Topics

  • Small Business Resilience in Times of Crisis
  • Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Perceptions
  • International Trade and Cultural Perceptions
  • Consumer Behavior and Decision-Making in E-Commerce
  • Business Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Startups
  • Perceptions of Economic Inequality and Wealth Distribution
  • Impact of Economic Policies on Communities
  • Role of Economic Education in Financial Literacy

Good Education Qualitative Research Topics For STEM Students

  • Homeschooling Experiences and Outcomes
  • Teacher Burnout and Coping Strategies
  • Inclusive Education and Special Needs Integration
  • Student Perspectives on Online Learning
  • High-Stakes Testing and Its Impact on Students
  • Multilingual Education and Bilingualism
  • Perceptions of Educational Technology in Classrooms
  • School Climate and Student Well-being
  • Teacher-Student Relationships and Their Effects on Learning
  • Cultural Diversity in Education and Inclusion

Environmental Engineering Qualitative Research Topics

  • Sustainable Transportation and Community Preferences
  • Ethical Considerations in Waste Reduction and Recycling
  • Public Attitudes Toward Renewable Energy Projects
  • Environmental Impact Assessment and Community Engagement
  • Sustainable Urban Planning and Neighborhood Perceptions
  • Water Quality and Conservation Practices in Residential Areas
  • Green Building Practices and User Experiences
  • Community Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
  • Role of Environmental Engineers in Disaster Preparedness

Why Qualitative Research Topics Are Good for STEM Students

  • Deeper Understanding: Qualitative research encourages STEM students to explore complex issues from a human perspective. This deepens their understanding of the broader impact of scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
  • Critical Thinking: Qualitative research fosters critical thinking skills by requiring students to analyze and interpret data, consider diverse viewpoints, and draw nuanced conclusions.
  • Real-World Relevance: Many qualitative research topics have real-world applications. Students can address problems, inform policy, and contribute to society by investigating issues that matter.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Qualitative research often transcends traditional STEM boundaries, allowing students to draw on insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other fields.
  • Preparation for Future Careers: Qualitative research skills are valuable in various STEM careers, as they enable students to communicate complex ideas and understand the human and social aspects of their work.

Qualitative Research Topics for High School STEM Students

High school STEM students can benefit from qualitative research by honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Here are some qualitative research topics suitable for high school students:

  • Perceptions of STEM Education: Investigate students’ and teachers’ perceptions of STEM education and its effectiveness.
  • Environmental Awareness: Examine the factors influencing high school students’ environmental awareness and eco-friendly behaviors.
  • Digital Learning in the Classroom: Explore the impact of technology on learning experiences and student engagement.
  • STEM Gender Gap: Analyze the reasons behind the gender gap in STEM fields and potential strategies for closing it.
  • Science Communication: Study how high school students perceive and engage with popular science communication channels, like YouTube and podcasts.
  • Impact of Extracurricular STEM Activities: Investigate how participation in STEM clubs and competitions influences students’ interest and performance in science and technology.

In essence, these are the best qualitative research topics for STEM students in the Philippines and are usable for other countries students too. Qualitative research topics offer STEM students a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted aspects of their fields, develop essential skills, and contribute to meaningful discoveries. With the right topic selection, a strong research design, and ethical considerations, STEM students can easily get the best knowledge on exciting qualitative research that benefits both their career growth. So, choose a topic that resonates with your interests and get best job in your interest field.

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  • View all journals

Stem cells articles from across Nature Portfolio

Stem cells are cells that have the capacity to self-renew by dividing and to develop into more mature, specialised cells. Stem cells can be unipotent, multipotent, pluripotent or totipotent, depending on the number of cell types to which they can give rise.

research topics on stem

Embryo model made using pluripotent stem cells reveals details of early development in humans

Early embryonic development in humans remains poorly understood. A 3D cellular model called bilaminoids, generated using ‘naive’ pluripotent stem cells and derived cell types, successfully recapitulates early development and enables mechanistic studies to examine how various cellular components interact to regulate early embryogenesis.

Is cell therapy no better than steroid injection?

New findings suggest that current cell therapy approaches are not superior to a simple corticosteroid injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis, calling into question the role of existing cell therapies and highlighting the need for further research and development in this field.

  • Scott A. Rodeo

research topics on stem

The rules of the totipotency treasure hunt

Totipotency is the absence of any developmental restriction, a feature naturally found in the early embryo right after fertilization. Generating an in vitro totipotent stem cell model is not a trivial task. For this reason, a set of stringent criteria for the identification of bona fide totipotent stem cells have been proposed.

  • Graziano Martello

Related Subjects

  • Adult stem cells
  • Cancer stem cells
  • Embryonic germ cells
  • Embryonic stem cells
  • Epigenetic memory
  • Haematopoietic stem cells
  • Heart stem cells
  • Intestinal stem cells
  • Mammary stem cells
  • Mesenchymal stem cells
  • Multipotent stem cells
  • Muscle stem cells
  • Neural stem cells
  • Pluripotent stem cells
  • Regeneration
  • Reprogramming
  • Self-renewal
  • Skin stem cells
  • Stem-cell differentiation
  • Stem-cell niche
  • Totipotent stem cells
  • Transdifferentiation

Latest Research and Reviews

research topics on stem

The transcriptional regulatory network modulating human trophoblast stem cells to extravillous trophoblast differentiation

Extravillous trophoblasts are pivotal in placental invasion and artery remodeling. Here the authors report stage-specific transcriptional regulators and their sequential roles in guiding proper trophoblast differentiation.

  • Mijeong Kim
  • Yu Jin Jang
  • Jonghwan Kim

research topics on stem

Low dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide and sirolimus induce mixed chimerism with CTLA4-Ig or lymphocyte depletion in an MHC-mismatched murine allotransplantation model

  • Mariama D. Kabore
  • Corbin C. McElrath
  • Courtney D. Fitzhugh

research topics on stem

Significance of melanin distribution in the epidermis for the protective effect against UV light

  • Daniela F. Zamudio Díaz
  • Loris Busch
  • Martina C. Meinke

research topics on stem

Real-time study of spatio-temporal dynamics (4D) of physiological activities in alive biological specimens with different FOVs and resolutions simultaneously

  • Aiswarya K. S.
  • Sohela Sarkar
  • Mayanglambam Suheshkumar Singh

research topics on stem

Histone demethylase KDM7A regulates bone homeostasis through balancing osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation

  • Liying Shan
  • Xiaoli Yang

research topics on stem

Dynamic nucleolar phase separation influenced by non-canonical function of LIN28A instructs pluripotent stem cell fate decisions

The role of nucleolar phase separation in stem cell fate decision is not well understood. Here, the authors show that the nucleolus-localized LIN28A protein undergoes LLPS in mESCs and in vitro, and that pluripotency state conversion depends on this phase separation capacity.

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A dynamic culture system that models the intricacy of the mammary gland.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Lei Yuan (from the Cai lab) highlights a new culture system that allows in vitro reconstitution of a dynamic miniature mammary gland.

research topics on stem

Donor NKG2D rs1049174 polymorphism predicts hematopoietic recovery and event-free survival after single-unit cord blood transplantation in adults

  • Takaaki Konuma
  • Megumi Hamatani-Asakura
  • Satoshi Takahashi

research topics on stem

Type 1 CALR mutation allele frequency correlates with CD34/CXCR4 expression in myelofibrosis-type megakaryocyte dysplasia: A mechanism of disease progression?

  • Giovanni Barosi
  • Rita Campanelli
  • Vittorio Rosti

research topics on stem

Ontogeny shapes the ability of ETV6::RUNX1 to enhance hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and disrupt early lymphopoiesis

  • Mohamed Eldeeb
  • Anna Konturek-Ciesla
  • David Bryder

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research topics on stem

55 Brilliant Research Topics For STEM Students (2024)

Primarily, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a study program that weaves all four disciplines for cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve scientific problems. STEM touches across a broad array of subjects as STEM students are required to gain mastery of four disciplines.

As a project-based discipline, STEM has different stages of learning. The program operates like other disciplines, and as such, STEM students embrace knowledge depending on their level. Since it’s a discipline centered around innovation, students undertake projects regularly. As a STEM student, your project could either be to build or write on a subject. Your first plan of action is choosing a topic if it’s written. After selecting a topic, you’ll need to determine how long a thesis statement should be .

Given that topic is essential to writing any project, this article focuses on research topics for STEM students. So, if you’re writing a STEM research paper, below are some of the best research topics for STEM students.

List of Research Topics For STEM Students

Quantitative research topics for stem students, qualitative research topics for stem students, what are the best experimental research topics for stem students, non-experimental research topics for stem students, capstone research topics for stem students, correlational research topics for stem students, scientific research topics for stem students, simple research topics for stem students, top 10 research topics for stem students, experimental research topics for stem students about plants, research topics for grade 11 stem students, research topics for grade 12 stem students, quantitative research topics for stem high school students, survey research topics for stem students, interesting and informative research topics for senior high school stem students.

Several research topics can be formulated in this field. They cut across STEM science, engineering, technology, and math. Here is a list of good research topics for STEM students.

  • The effectiveness of online learning over physical learning
  • The rise of metabolic diseases and their relationship to increased consumption
  • How immunotherapy can improve prognosis in Covid-19 progression

For your quantitative research in STEM, you’ll need to learn how to cite a thesis MLA for the topic you’re choosing. Below are some of the best quantitative research topics for STEM students. See Also 100 Original Research Paper Topics For Students in 2022

  • A study of the effect of digital technology on millennials
  • A futuristic study of a world ruled by robotics
  • A critical evaluation of the future demand in artificial intelligence

There are several practical research topics for STEM students. However, if you’re looking for qualitative research topics for STEM students, here are topics to explore.

  • An exploration into how microbial factories result in the cause shortage in raw metals
  • An experimental study on the possibility of older-aged men passing genetic abnormalities to children
  • A critical evaluation of how genetics could be used to help humans live healthier and longer.
Experimental research in STEM is a scientific research methodology that uses two sets of variables. They are dependent and independent variables that are studied under experimental research. Experimental research topics in STEM look into areas of science that use data to derive results.

Below are easy experimental research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of nuclear fusion and fission
  • An evaluation of the major drawbacks of Biotechnology in the pharmaceutical industry
  • A study of single-cell organisms and how they’re capable of becoming an intermediary host for diseases causing bacteria

Unlike experimental research, non-experimental research lacks the interference of an independent variable. Non-experimental research instead measures variables as they naturally occur. Below are some non-experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • Impacts of alcohol addiction on the psychological life of humans
  • The popularity of depression and schizophrenia amongst the pediatric population
  • The impact of breastfeeding on the child’s health and development

STEM learning and knowledge grow in stages. The older students get, the more stringent requirements are for their STEM research topic. There are several capstone topics for research for STEM students .

Below are some simple quantitative research topics for stem students.

  • How population impacts energy-saving strategies
  • The application of an Excel table processor capabilities for cost calculation
  • A study of the essence of science as a sphere of human activity

Correlations research is research where the researcher measures two continuous variables. This is done with little or no attempt to control extraneous variables but to assess the relationship. Here are some sample research topics for STEM students to look into bearing in mind how to cite a thesis APA style for your project.

  • Can pancreatic gland transplantation cure diabetes?
  • A study of improved living conditions and obesity
  • An evaluation of the digital currency as a valid form of payment and its impact on banking and economy

There are several science research topics for STEM students. Below are some possible quantitative research topics for STEM students.

  • A study of protease inhibitor and how it operates
  • A study of how men’s exercise impacts DNA traits passed to children
  • A study of the future of commercial space flight

If you’re looking for a simple research topic, below are easy research topics for STEM students.

  • How can the problem of Space junk be solved?
  • Can meteorites change our view of the universe?
  • Can private space flight companies change the future of space exploration?

For your top 10 research topics for STEM students, here are interesting topics for STEM students to consider.

  • A comparative study of social media addiction and adverse depression
  • The human effect of the illegal use of formalin in milk and food preservation
  • An evaluation of the human impact on the biosphere and its results
  • A study of how fungus affects plant growth
  • A comparative study of antiviral drugs and vaccine
  • A study of the ways technology has improved medicine and life science
  • The effectiveness of Vitamin D among older adults for disease prevention
  • What is the possibility of life on other planets?
  • Effects of Hubble Space Telescope on the universe
  • A study of important trends in medicinal chemistry research

Below are possible research topics for STEM students about plants:

  • How do magnetic fields impact plant growth?
  • Do the different colors of light impact the rate of photosynthesis?
  • How can fertilizer extend plant life during a drought?

Below are some examples of quantitative research topics for STEM students in grade 11.

  • A study of how plants conduct electricity
  • How does water salinity affect plant growth?
  • A study of soil pH levels on plants

Here are some of the best qualitative research topics for STEM students in grade 12.

  • An evaluation of artificial gravity and how it impacts seed germination
  • An exploration of the steps taken to develop the Covid-19 vaccine
  • Personalized medicine and the wave of the future

Here are topics to consider for your STEM-related research topics for high school students.

  • A study of stem cell treatment
  • How can molecular biological research of rare genetic disorders help understand cancer?
  • How Covid-19 affects people with digestive problems

Below are some survey topics for qualitative research for stem students.

  • How does Covid-19 impact immune-compromised people?
  • Soil temperature and how it affects root growth
  • Burned soil and how it affects seed germination

Here are some descriptive research topics for STEM students in senior high.

  • The scientific information concept and its role in conducting scientific research
  • The role of mathematical statistics in scientific research
  • A study of the natural resources contained in oceans

Final Words About Research Topics For STEM Students

STEM topics cover areas in various scientific fields, mathematics, engineering, and technology. While it can be tasking, reducing the task starts with choosing a favorable topic. If you require external assistance in writing your STEM research, you can seek professional help from our experts.

55 Brilliant Research Topics For STEM Students (2024)

What are some good research topics for STEM students? ›

  • DNA Fingerprinting.
  • Ethics & Genetics.
  • Humans & Wildlife.
  • Malnutrition.
  • Psychology of Plastic Surgery.
  • Lying with Numbers.
  • Energy Sources.
  • Waste Disposal.
  • Imposed Democracy.
  • Political Environment in the Middle East.
  • Religion and Globalization.
  • UN Policies on the Environment and their Impact.
  • The Influence of Marketing and Media on Teens.
  • Bar Code Implants.
  • Aerospace engineering.
  • Biochemistry.
  • Chemical engineering.
  • Civil engineering.
  • Computer science.
  • Technology.
  • Social Media.
  • Social issues.
  • Environment.
  • Infectious disease. 29 articles | 1,643,000 views. ...
  • Nutritional immunology. 29 articles | 768,000 views. ...
  • Music therapy. 44 articles | 268,000 views. ...
  • Political misinformation. 11 articles | 219,000 views. ...
  • Plant science. 15 articles | 198,000 views. ...
  • Sustainable agriculture. ...
  • Mental health. ...
  • Aging brains.
  • Scientific Explanation behind IVF: How does it impact the baby.
  • Investigate the benefits of Forensic Science Technology.
  • Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global warming and climate change.
  • New findings for Cancer Biology.
  • Exploratory research design. ...
  • Observational research design. ...
  • Descriptive research design. ...
  • Case study. ...
  • Action research design. ...
  • Experimental research design. ...
  • Causal research design. ...
  • Correlational research design.
  • Applied research. ...
  • Fixed research versus flexible research. ...
  • Quantitative research and qualitative research. ...
  • Experimental research and non-experimental research. ...
  • Exploratory research and confirmatory research. ...
  • Explanatory research or casual research. ...
  • Descriptive research. ...
  • Historical research.

A complete research paper in APA style that is reporting on experimental research will typically contain a Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References sections. Many will also contain Figures and Tables and some will have an Appendix or Appendices.

A question stem is the part of the survey question that presents the issue about which the question is asking .

What is the best title for research title? ›

  • Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.
  • Avoid using abbreviations.
  • Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest.
  • Use current nomenclature from the field of study.

A scientific paper is broken down into eight sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references . The title of the lab report should be descriptive of the experiment and reflect what the experiment analyzed.

  • Environment. ...
  • Health. ...
  • Technology. Analyze the history and future of self-driving vehicles. ...
  • Current Affairs. How have the motives of feminists changed over the decades?
  • Choose a topic that you are interested in! ...
  • Narrow your topic to something manageable. ...
  • Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment. ...
  • Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
  • Talk about research ideas with a friend.

Keep the title statement as concise as possible. You want a title that will be comprehensible even to people who are not experts in your field. Check our article for a detailed list of things to avoid when writing an effective research title. Make sure your title is between 5 and 15 words in length .

  • Fundamental or Basic research: ...
  • Basic research.
  • Applied research: ...
  • Explanatory research.
  • Longitudinal Research. ...
  • Cross-sectional Research. ...
  • Action research.

Hot topic for 2022: data collection strategies set to be the talk of the town this year. Digital marketing trends in recent years have ranged from consumer privacy, to Instagram taking over from Facebook, to the appearance of chatbots and to the prevalence of the use of video content.

  • TikTok will become bigger. ...
  • Video content will continue to dominate. ...
  • Social commerce will continue to expand. ...
  • Augmented reality will go mainstream. ...
  • Influencer marketing continues to rise.
  • Identify the topics that resonates with your audience.
  • Find the top content trends in your chosen topic area.
  • Understand the questions people have about these opportunities.
  • Identify where you can uniquely add value to the conversation.

Most research can be divided into three different categories: exploratory, descriptive and causal . Each serves a different end purpose and can only be used in certain ways. In the online survey world, mastery of all three can lead to sounder insights and greater quality information.

What are the 11 research process? ›

"11 Steps" basically consists of 11 stages that complement each other as a method of discussion. This phased classification is as follows: Manifestation, Description, Prediction, Investigation, Determination, Diagnosis, Verification, Treatment, Reinforcement, Progress, and Tracking .

There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research . attempts to establish cause- effect relationships among the variables.

There are two main categories of research methods: qualitative research methods and quantitative research methods .

  • Phenomenological Method (deriving from phenomena)
  • Ethnographic Model.
  • Grounded Theory Method.
  • Case Study Model.
  • Historical Model.
  • Narrative Model.
  • Scientific Control.
  • Primary Research.
  • Qualitative Information.
  • Research Topics.
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum.
  • Observational Study.
  • Business Experiments.
  • A study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts the brain.
  • A study to discover the components making up human DNA.
  • A study accessing whether stress levels make people more aggressive.
  • A study looking to see if gender stereotypes lead to depression.
  • Asparagus - Apareka/Pikopiko Pākehā Stems.
  • Celery - Tutaekōau/Hereri/Herewī Stems.
  • Kohlrabi - Okapi/Kara-rapi. Stems.
  • Rhubarb - Rūpapa. Stems.
  • Turmeric. Stems.

What is a stem? Stems are stereo recordings sourced from mixes of multiple individual tracks, such as drums, vocals, and bass . For example, a drum stem will typically be a stereo audio file that sounds like all of the drum tracks mixed together.

stem, in botany, the plant axis that bears buds and shoots with leaves and, at its basal end, roots . The stem conducts water, minerals, and food to other parts of the plant; it may also store food, and green stems themselves produce food.

  • Brain Injury: Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Brain Injury.
  • Data Analytics: Translational Data Analytics and Decision Science.
  • Foods for Health: Personalized Food and Nutritional Metabolic Profiling to Improve Health.
  • Food Security: Resilient, Sustainable and Global Food Security for Health.

Why is research important for STEM students? ›

Through research, we can increase our ability to handle future obstacles . Think about your cell phone. It has more computing power than all of NASA's computers during the Apollo mission just 50 years ago. STEM research today will help build technology we can only dream of using.

Fear of failing and not having the right answer is a common problem of STEM students. Especially if your class is their first STEM experience.

A research question guides and centers your research. It should be clear and focused, as well as synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument . Even if your instructor has given you a specific assignment, the research question should ideally be something that you are interested in or care about.

A good research topic should have the following qualities. Clarity is the most important quality of any research topic. The topic should have to be clear so that others can easily understand the nature of your research. The research topic should have a single interpretation so that people cannot get distracted.

  • Step 1: Identify and Develop Your Topic. ...
  • Step 2: Find Background Information. ...
  • Step 3: Use Catalogs to Find Books and Media. ...
  • Step 4: Use Databases to Find Journal Articles. ...
  • Step 5: Find Internet Resources. ...
  • Step 6: Evaluate What You Find. ...
  • Step 7: Cite What You Find Using a Standard Format.
  • Brainstorm Quickly. Use the prompt. Outline possible options. Perform a simple Google search and find what has the most information. Choose your topic. ...
  • Research. Find research to support each point in your outline.
  • Write Quickly. Put it all on paper as you think of it.

Definition. The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. A good title contains the fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the content and/or purpose of your research paper.

Engineering was overwhelmingly considered to be the biggest culprit, with 76pc of respondents naming it as 'a man's world'. Computers and technology was the next area considered in this field, though it still trailed far behind engineering at less than 17pc.

  • Cloud in a Jar. ...
  • Oil Spill. ...
  • Sticky Note Number Match. ...
  • Coding a LEGO® Maze. ...
  • Crystal Sun Catchers. ...
  • Building a Hand Crank Winch. ...
  • Build a Balance Scale. ...
  • Magnetic Slime.

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189+ Good Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Quantitative research is an essential part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. It involves collecting and analyzing numerical data to answer research questions and test hypotheses. 

In 2023, STEM students have a wealth of exciting research opportunities in various disciplines. Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, here are quantitative research topics to consider for your next project.

If you are looking for the best list of quantitative research topics for stem students, then you can check the given list in each field. It offers STEM students numerous opportunities to explore and contribute to their respective fields in 2023 and beyond. 

Whether you’re interested in astrophysics, biology, engineering, mathematics, or any other STEM field.

Also Read: Most Exciting Qualitative Research Topics For Students

What Is Quantitative Research

Table of Contents

Quantitative research is a type of research that focuses on the organized collection, analysis, and evaluation of numerical data to answer research questions, test theories, and find trends or connections between factors. It is an organized, objective way to do study that uses measurable data and scientific methods to come to results.

Quantitative research is often used in many areas, such as the natural sciences, social sciences, economics, psychology, education, and market research. It gives useful information about patterns, trends, cause-and-effect relationships, and how often things happen. Quantitative tools are used by researchers to answer questions like “How many?” and “How often?” “Is there a significant difference?” or “What is the relationship between the variables?”

In comparison to quantitative research, qualitative research uses non-numerical data like conversations, notes, and open-ended surveys to understand and explore the ideas, experiences, and points of view of people or groups. Researchers often choose between quantitative and qualitative methods based on their research goals, questions, and the type of thing they are studying.

How To Choose Quantitative Research Topics For STEM

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to choose quantitative research topics for STEM:

Step 1:- Identify Your Interests and Passions

Start by reflecting on your personal interests within STEM. What areas or subjects in STEM excite you the most? Choosing a topic you’re passionate about will keep you motivated throughout the research process.

Step 2:- Review Coursework and Textbooks

Look through your coursework, textbooks, and class notes. Identify concepts, theories, or areas that you found particularly intriguing or challenging. These can be a source of potential research topics.

Step 3:- Consult with Professors and Advisors

Discuss your research interests with professors, academic advisors, or mentors. They can provide valuable insights, suggest relevant topics, and guide you toward areas with research opportunities.

Step 4:- Read Recent Literature

Explore recent research articles, journals, and publications in STEM fields. This will help you identify current trends, gaps in knowledge, and areas where further research is needed.

Step 5:- Narrow Down Your Focus

Once you have a broad area of interest, narrow it down to a specific research focus. Consider questions like:

  • What specific problem or phenomenon do you want to investigate?
  • Are there unanswered questions or controversies in this area?
  • What impact could your research have on the field or society?

Step 6:- Consider Resources and Access

Assess the resources available to you, including access to laboratories, equipment, databases, and funding. Ensure that your chosen topic aligns with the resources you have or can access.

Step 7:- Think About Practicality

Consider the feasibility of conducting research on your chosen topic. Are the data readily available, or will you need to collect data yourself? Can you complete the research within your available time frame?

Step 8:- Define Your Research Question

Formulate a clear and specific research question or hypothesis. Your research question should guide your entire study and provide a focus for your data collection and analysis.

Step 9:- Conduct a Literature Review

Dive deeper into the existing literature related to your chosen topic. This will help you understand the current state of research, identify gaps, and refine your research question.

Step 10:- Consider the Impact

Think about the potential impact of your research. How does your topic contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field? Does it have practical applications or implications for society?

Step 11:- Brainstorm Research Methods

Determine the quantitative research methods and data collection techniques you plan to use. Consider whether you’ll conduct experiments, surveys, data analysis, simulations, or use existing datasets.

Step 12:- Seek Feedback

Share your research topic and ideas with peers, advisors, or mentors. They can provide valuable feedback and help you refine your research focus.

Step 13:- Assess Ethical Considerations

Consider ethical implications related to your research, especially if it involves human subjects, sensitive data, or potential environmental impacts. Ensure that your research adheres to ethical guidelines.

Step 14:- Finalize Your Research Topic

Once you’ve gone through these steps, finalize your research topic. Write a clear and concise research proposal that outlines your research question, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.

Step 15:- Stay Open to Adjustments

Be open to adjusting your research topic as you progress. Sometimes, new insights or challenges may lead you to refine or adapt your research focus.

Following are the most interesting quantitative research topics for stem students. These are given below.

Quantitative Research Topics In Physics and Astronomy

  • Quantum Computing Algorithms : Investigate new algorithms for quantum computers and their potential applications.
  • Dark Matter Detection Methods : Explore innovative approaches to detect dark matter particles.
  • Quantum Teleportation : Study the principles and applications of quantum teleportation.
  • Exoplanet Characterization : Analyze data from telescopes to characterize exoplanets.
  • Nuclear Fusion Modeling : Create mathematical models for nuclear fusion reactions.
  • Superconductivity at High Temperatures : Research the properties and applications of high-temperature superconductors.
  • Gravitational Wave Analysis : Analyze gravitational wave data to study astrophysical phenomena.
  • Black Hole Thermodynamics : Investigate the thermodynamics of black holes and their entropy.

Quantitative Research Topics In Biology and Life Sciences

  • Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) : Conduct GWAS to identify genetic factors associated with diseases.
  • Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics : Study drug interactions in the human body.
  • Ecological Modeling : Model ecosystems to understand population dynamics.
  • Protein Folding : Research the kinetics and thermodynamics of protein folding.
  • Cancer Epidemiology : Analyze cancer incidence and risk factors in specific populations.
  • Neuroimaging Analysis : Develop algorithms for analyzing brain imaging data.
  • Evolutionary Genetics : Investigate evolutionary patterns using genetic data.
  • Stem Cell Differentiation : Study the factors influencing stem cell differentiation.

Engineering and Technology Quantitative Research Topics

  • Renewable Energy Efficiency : Optimize the efficiency of solar panels or wind turbines.
  • Aerodynamics of Drones : Analyze the aerodynamics of drone designs.
  • Autonomous Vehicle Safety : Evaluate safety measures for autonomous vehicles.
  • Machine Learning in Robotics : Implement machine learning algorithms for robot control.
  • Blockchain Scalability : Research methods to scale blockchain technology.
  • Quantum Computing Hardware : Design and test quantum computing hardware components.
  • IoT Security : Develop security protocols for the Internet of Things (IoT).
  • 3D Printing Materials Analysis : Study the mechanical properties of 3D-printed materials.

Quantitative Research Topics In Mathematics and Statistics

Following are the best Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students in mathematics and statistics.

  • Prime Number Distribution : Investigate the distribution of prime numbers.
  • Graph Theory Algorithms : Develop algorithms for solving graph theory problems.
  • Statistical Analysis of Financial Markets : Analyze financial data and market trends.
  • Number Theory Research : Explore unsolved problems in number theory.
  • Bayesian Machine Learning : Apply Bayesian methods to machine learning models.
  • Random Matrix Theory : Study the properties of random matrices in mathematics and physics.
  • Topological Data Analysis : Use topology to analyze complex data sets.
  • Quantum Algorithms for Optimization : Research quantum algorithms for optimization problems.

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics In Science and Earth Sciences

  • Climate Change Modeling : Develop climate models to predict future trends.
  • Biodiversity Conservation Analysis : Analyze data to support biodiversity conservation efforts.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) : Apply GIS techniques to solve environmental problems.
  • Oceanography and Remote Sensing : Use satellite data for oceanographic research.
  • Air Quality Monitoring : Develop sensors and models for air quality assessment.
  • Hydrological Modeling : Study the movement and distribution of water resources.
  • Volcanic Activity Prediction : Predict volcanic eruptions using quantitative methods.
  • Seismology Data Analysis : Analyze seismic data to understand earthquake patterns.

Chemistry and Materials Science Quantitative Research Topics

  • Nanomaterial Synthesis and Characterization : Research the synthesis and properties of nanomaterials.
  • Chemoinformatics : Analyze chemical data for drug discovery and materials science.
  • Quantum Chemistry Simulations : Perform quantum simulations of chemical reactions.
  • Materials for Renewable Energy : Investigate materials for energy storage and conversion.
  • Catalysis Kinetics : Study the kinetics of chemical reactions catalyzed by materials.
  • Polymer Chemistry : Research the properties and applications of polymers.
  • Analytical Chemistry Techniques : Develop new analytical techniques for chemical analysis.
  • Sustainable Chemistry : Explore green chemistry approaches for sustainable materials.

Computer Science and Information Technology Topics

  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) : Work on NLP algorithms for language understanding.
  • Cybersecurity Analytics : Analyze cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Big Data Analytics : Apply quantitative methods to analyze large data sets.
  • Machine Learning Fairness : Investigate bias and fairness issues in machine learning models.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) : Study user behavior and interaction patterns.
  • Software Performance Optimization : Optimize software applications for performance.
  • Distributed Systems Analysis : Analyze the performance of distributed computing systems.
  • Bioinformatics Data Mining : Develop algorithms for mining biological data.

Good Quantitative Research Topics Students In Medicine and Healthcare

  • Clinical Trial Data Analysis : Analyze clinical trial data to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
  • Epidemiological Modeling : Model disease spread and intervention strategies.
  • Healthcare Data Analytics : Analyze healthcare data for patient outcomes and cost reduction.
  • Medical Imaging Algorithms : Develop algorithms for medical image analysis.
  • Genomic Medicine : Apply genomics to personalized medicine approaches.
  • Telemedicine Effectiveness : Study the effectiveness of telemedicine in healthcare delivery.
  • Health Informatics : Analyze electronic health records for insights into patient care.

Agriculture and Food Sciences Topics

  • Precision Agriculture : Use quantitative methods for optimizing crop production.
  • Food Safety Analysis : Analyze food safety data and quality control.
  • Aquaculture Sustainability : Research sustainable practices in aquaculture.
  • Crop Disease Modeling : Model the spread of diseases in agricultural crops.
  • Climate-Resilient Agriculture : Develop strategies for agriculture in changing climates.
  • Food Supply Chain Optimization : Optimize food supply chain logistics.
  • Soil Health Assessment : Analyze soil data for sustainable land management.

Social Sciences with Quantitative Approaches

  • Educational Data Mining : Analyze educational data for improving learning outcomes.
  • Sociodemographic Surveys : Study social trends and demographics using surveys.
  • Psychometrics : Develop and validate psychological measurement instruments.
  • Political Polling Analysis : Analyze political polling data and election trends.
  • Economic Modeling : Develop economic models for policy analysis.
  • Urban Planning Analytics : Analyze data for urban planning and infrastructure.
  • Climate Policy Evaluation : Evaluate the impact of climate policies on society.

Environmental Engineering Quantitative Research Topics

  • Water Quality Assessment : Analyze water quality data for environmental monitoring.
  • Waste Management Optimization : Optimize waste collection and recycling programs.
  • Environmental Impact Assessments : Evaluate the environmental impact of projects.
  • Air Pollution Modeling : Model the dispersion of air pollutants in urban areas.
  • Sustainable Building Design : Apply quantitative methods to sustainable architecture.

Quantitative Research Topics Robotics and Automation

  • Robotic Swarm Behavior : Study the behavior of robot swarms in different tasks.
  • Autonomous Drone Navigation : Develop algorithms for autonomous drone navigation.
  • Humanoid Robot Control : Implement control algorithms for humanoid robots.
  • Robotic Grasping and Manipulation : Study robotic manipulation techniques.
  • Reinforcement Learning for Robotics : Apply reinforcement learning to robotic control.

Quantitative Research Topics Materials Engineering

  • Additive Manufacturing Process Optimization : Optimize 3D printing processes.
  • Smart Materials for Aerospace : Research smart materials for aerospace applications.
  • Nanostructured Materials for Energy Storage : Investigate energy storage materials.
  • Corrosion Prevention : Develop corrosion-resistant materials and coatings.

Nuclear Engineering Quantitative Research Topics

  • Nuclear Reactor Safety Analysis : Study safety aspects of nuclear reactor designs.
  • Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis : Analyze the nuclear fuel cycle for efficiency.
  • Radiation Shielding Materials : Research materials for radiation protection.

Quantitative Research Topics In Biomedical Engineering

  • Medical Device Design and Testing : Develop and test medical devices.
  • Biomechanics Analysis : Analyze biomechanics in sports or rehabilitation.
  • Biomaterials for Medical Implants : Investigate materials for medical implants.

Good Quantitative Research Topics Chemical Engineering

  • Chemical Process Optimization : Optimize chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Industrial Pollution Control : Develop strategies for pollution control in industries.
  • Chemical Reaction Kinetics : Study the kinetics of chemical reactions in industries.

Best Quantitative Research Topics In Renewable Energy

  • Energy Storage Systems : Research and optimize energy storage solutions.
  • Solar Cell Efficiency : Improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells.
  • Wind Turbine Performance Analysis : Analyze and optimize wind turbine designs.

Brilliant Quantitative Research Topics In Astronomy and Space Sciences

  • Astrophysical Simulations : Simulate astrophysical phenomena using numerical methods.
  • Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization : Optimize spacecraft trajectories for missions.
  • Exoplanet Detection Algorithms : Develop algorithms for exoplanet detection.

Quantitative Research Topics In Psychology and Cognitive Science

  • Cognitive Psychology Experiments : Conduct quantitative experiments in cognitive psychology.
  • Emotion Recognition Algorithms : Develop algorithms for emotion recognition in AI.
  • Neuropsychological Assessments : Create quantitative assessments for brain function.

Geology and Geological Engineering Quantitative Research Topics

  • Geological Data Analysis : Analyze geological data for mineral exploration.
  • Geological Hazard Prediction : Predict geological hazards using quantitative models.

Top Quantitative Research Topics In Forensic Science

  • Forensic Data Analysis : Analyze forensic evidence using quantitative methods.
  • Crime Pattern Analysis : Study crime patterns and trends in urban areas.

Great Quantitative Research Topics In Cybersecurity

  • Network Intrusion Detection : Develop quantitative methods for intrusion detection.
  • Cryptocurrency Analysis : Analyze blockchain data and cryptocurrency trends.

Mathematical Biology Quantitative Research Topics

  • Epidemiological Modeling : Model disease spread and control in populations.
  • Population Genetics : Analyze genetic data to understand population dynamics.

Quantitative Research Topics In Chemical Analysis

  • Analytical Chemistry Methods : Develop quantitative methods for chemical analysis.
  • Spectroscopy Analysis : Analyze spectroscopic data for chemical identification.

Mathematics Education Quantitative Research Topics

  • Mathematics Curriculum Analysis : Analyze curriculum effectiveness in mathematics education.
  • Mathematics Assessment Development : Develop quantitative assessments for mathematics skills.

Quantitative Research Topics In Social Research

  • Social Network Analysis : Analyze social network structures and dynamics.
  • Survey Research : Conduct quantitative surveys on social issues and trends.

Quantitative Research Topics In Computational Neuroscience

  • Neural Network Modeling : Model neural networks and brain functions computationally.
  • Brain Connectivity Analysis : Analyze functional and structural brain connectivity.

Best Topics In Transportation Engineering

  • Traffic Flow Modeling : Model and optimize traffic flow in urban areas.
  • Public Transportation Efficiency : Analyze the efficiency of public transportation systems.

Good Quantitative Research Topics In Energy Economics

  • Energy Policy Analysis : Evaluate the economic impact of energy policies.
  • Renewable Energy Cost-Benefit Analysis : Assess the economic viability of renewable energy projects.

Quantum Information Science

  • Quantum Cryptography Protocols : Develop and analyze quantum cryptography protocols.
  • Quantum Key Distribution : Study the security of quantum key distribution systems.

Human Genetics

  • Genome Editing Ethics : Investigate ethical issues in genome editing technologies.
  • Population Genomics : Analyze genomic data for population genetics research.

Marine Biology

  • Coral Reef Health Assessment : Quantitatively assess the health of coral reefs.
  • Marine Ecosystem Modeling : Model marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Data Science and Machine Learning

  • Machine Learning Explainability : Develop methods for explaining machine learning models.
  • Data Privacy in Machine Learning : Study privacy issues in machine learning applications.
  • Deep Learning for Image Analysis : Develop deep learning models for image recognition.

Environmental Engineering

Robotics and automation, materials engineering, nuclear engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, renewable energy, astronomy and space sciences, psychology and cognitive science, geology and geological engineering, forensic science, cybersecurity, mathematical biology, chemical analysis, mathematics education, quantitative social research, computational neuroscience, quantitative research topics in transportation engineering, quantitative research topics in energy economics, topics in quantum information science, amazing quantitative research topics in human genetics, quantitative research topics in marine biology, what is a common goal of qualitative and quantitative research.

A common goal of both qualitative and quantitative research is to generate knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of a particular phenomenon or topic. However, they approach this goal in different ways:

1. Understanding a Phenomenon

Both types of research aim to understand and explain a specific phenomenon, whether it’s a social issue, a natural process, a human behavior, or a complex event.

2. Testing Hypotheses

Both qualitative and quantitative research can involve hypothesis testing. While qualitative research may not use statistical hypothesis tests in the same way as quantitative research, it often tests hypotheses or research questions by examining patterns and themes in the data.

3. Contributing to Knowledge

Researchers in both approaches seek to contribute to the body of knowledge in their respective fields. They aim to answer important questions, address gaps in existing knowledge, and provide insights that can inform theory, practice, or policy.

4. Informing Decision-Making

Research findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies can be used to inform decision-making in various domains, whether it’s in academia, government, industry, healthcare, or social services.

5. Enhancing Understanding

Both approaches strive to enhance our understanding of complex phenomena by systematically collecting and analyzing data. They aim to provide evidence-based explanations and insights.

6. Application

Research findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies can be applied to practical situations. For example, the results of a quantitative study on the effectiveness of a new drug can inform medical treatment decisions, while qualitative research on customer preferences can guide marketing strategies.

7. Contributing to Theory

In academia, both types of research contribute to the development and refinement of theories in various disciplines. Quantitative research may provide empirical evidence to support or challenge existing theories, while qualitative research may generate new theoretical frameworks or perspectives.

Conclusion – Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

So, selecting a quantitative research topic for STEM students is a pivotal decision that can shape the trajectory of your academic and professional journey. The process involves a thoughtful exploration of your interests, a thorough review of the existing literature, consideration of available resources, and the formulation of a clear and specific research question.

Your chosen topic should resonate with your passions, align with your academic or career goals, and offer the potential to contribute to the body of knowledge in your STEM field. Whether you’re delving into physics, biology, engineering, mathematics, or any other STEM discipline, the right research topic can spark curiosity, drive innovation, and lead to valuable insights.

Moreover, quantitative research in STEM not only expands the boundaries of human knowledge but also has the power to address real-world challenges, improve technology, and enhance our understanding of the natural world. It is a journey that demands dedication, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry.

What is quantitative research in STEM?

Quantitative research in this context is designed to improve our understanding of the science system’s workings, structural dependencies and dynamics.

What are good examples of quantitative research?

Surveys and questionnaires serve as common examples of quantitative research. They involve collecting data from many respondents and analyzing the results to identify trends, patterns

What are the 4 C’s in STEM?

They became known as the “Four Cs” — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

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Getting started with research topics

The possibilities for selecting a research topic are nearly endless! While most initial research ideas will need some tweaking to be in line with your project’s or assignment's scope, you can take nearly any idea, interest, or phenomenon and turn it into a research topic. 

Please check with instructor for specific directions concerning topic selection for a research project or to confirm if a topic is acceptable.

Brainstorming initial topics

Tip #1: choose a topic you care about..

This could be a personal interest, related to something you have experienced, related to your job or future career, etc. You could even research a problem or barrier you’ve experienced or something that upsets you. What matters is that you have a vested interest in your research topic. This is going to help motivate you to keep working on the project. 

For example: Adrian works full-time and also has young child, and sometimes they get stressed out about work-life balance. Adrian could choose “working parent mental health” as an initial topic.

Tip #2: Be curious.

Have you ever wondered why something works (or doesn’t work) the way that it does? Are you curious about how something impact your life? Research that! 

For example: Traffic noise from I-215 sometimes keeps Gabi from falling asleep. Gabi could choose “noise pollution and insomnia” as an initial research topic.

Tip #3: Be observant.

Notice trends, phenomena, or occurrences in your daily life. You can research why those trends might occur.

For example: Rui has noticed more vehicles running red lights while commuting work. Rui could choose “distracted and aggressive driving” as an initial research topic.

Tip #4: Think about something you’ve recently learned or read in a class.

If a reading, assignment, or video from a class has stood out to you, explore that further. That topic or an aspect of it could serve as your initial research topic. 

For example: Almas was fascinated to learn in HLTH 1050 that former drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar imported hippos to Colombia and that the hippos are now causing significant issues as a non-native species. Almas could choose “impacts of non-native animal species” as an initial research topic. 

Developing your topic

Great! You’ve selected an initial topic that interests you. Now you will want to refine it so your topic fits within the scope of your project. 

Strategy #1: Ask self-reflective questions.

Ask yourself personal questions to help focus your topic. Ask yourself: Why did I choose this topic in the first place? What specifically interests me about it? Do I have personal experience with this? This reflective process can help you move from a general topic like "medical marijuana" to a more specific one that is also interesting to you. For example, perhaps you know someone who suffers from chronic pain and had medical marijuana recommended to them; you might want to learn more about how medical marijuana helps with chronic pain and if there are any negative medical side effects associated with its use.

Strategy #2: Ask what you want to learn and why.

Try answering this question by filling in the blanks: “I am researching [topic], because I want to find out [issue / question] in order to [application, or why it matters].” For example: I am researching sound pollution, because I want to learn if it impacts sleep cycles in order to understand how traffic noise may negatively impact human health.

Strategy #3: Create an argument.

Another way to refine your initial topic is to give your opinion, take a side to an argument, or present a different outlook. Try to keep an open mind and withhold your own judgement until you have done some research. It is a growth experience to consider other views! Ask something like: “What are the consequences of X on Y?” For example: What are the consequences of vehicle emissions on Utah’s air quality?

Strategy #4: Use the 3 P's

Identify a problem (your initial topic), a population (a specific group of people), and a place. Adding these three components together can help focus your topic.

  • The 3 P's: Population, Place, Problem Licensed under CC BY-NC by Sarah Hood

Evaluating the feasibility of your topic

The next step in developing your research topic is making sure that it is actually feasible for you to research. Sometimes great ideas have to be tabled for another point in time because of current limitations. Here are three questions/sets of questions to ask yourself before moving ahead with your research project.

Why do I care about this topic?

What about it interests me? Will I continue to be interested in this topic throughout the research process? If you cannot answer these questions, return to brainstorming possible topics.

Is my topic too broad or too narrow to fit within the project's scope?

If your topic is too broad, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of sources you find or feel like you have no clear goal of what to study or accomplish. If your topic is too narrow, you may have a very hard time finding sources or completing your project. Look for a topic that is “just right.” It should be specific enough that it is actionable.

  • Too broad: What causes air pollution in Utah?
  • Too narrow: How to pickup trucks driving on I-15 between Draper and South Salt Lake City contribute to the ozone levels in Salt Lake County’s air conditions?
  • Better: How do commuting vehicles in Salt Lake County contribute to air pollution?

Do I have the available resources (time, money, tools, support, etc.) to realistically accomplish this project in the set timeframe?

If your project is going to require you do an observational study, do you have the available time to do that? If your project requires specialized equipment, do you have access to it and knowledge of how to use it? If you need to acquire supplies or incentives for people to participate in your project, do you have the funding? These logistical questions are important, because having the appropriate resources available can help set you up for success. If you don’t have these resources available, you may need to table your research topic until another time.

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189+ Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Are you looking for incredible experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students? Then you are in the right place. Here, we’ll explore the fantastic experimental research topics for STEM students and others you want to learn. That will help you to increase your knowledge in your field.  

Experimental quantitative research plays a pivotal role in STEM. These students explore a broad range of multidisciplinary experimental quantitative research subjects. STEM students take on challenges that push the boundaries of knowledge, whether by studying the complexities of ecological systems, creating novel technologies, delving into the workings of the human brain, or investigating the subtleties of subatomic particles.

Before jumping to our main topic, experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students. Let’s learn about what STEM is. 

What Is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an interdisciplinary approach to learning and problem-solving that combines these four main areas. Scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians collaborate to address challenging real-world challenges and generate novel solutions in the STEM fields.

Let’s know about how to do experimental research. Before starting the experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students.

How To Do Experimental Research

Here are 8 key points on how to do experimental research effectively.

How To Do Experimental Research

1. Clear Research Focus

 Begin by defining a clear and focused research question. A well-defined question provides a purpose and direction for your experiment, guiding your choices in variables and methodology.

2. Thorough Literature Review

Conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand the existing knowledge in your field. This step helps you identify gaps in research and ensures your experiment contributes meaningfully to the scientific community.

3. Precise Variable Definition

Carefully define the variables you will manipulate (independent variable) and measure (dependent variable). Precise definitions are crucial for the validity of your experiment, ensuring you measure what you intend to study.

Also read: 199+ Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students to Try Now

4. Randomization and Control

Use randomization to assign participants randomly to experimental and control groups. Control all other variables that might influence the outcome, creating a controlled environment. This minimizes biases and enhances the reliability of your results.

5. Standardized Procedures

Develop standardized procedures for conducting the experiment. Consistency in methods across participants and groups is essential to ensure that any observed effects are due to the manipulated variables and not external factors.

6. Accurate Data Collection

Employ accurate and reliable methods to collect data. Be meticulous in recording observations and measurements. Utilize appropriate tools and technologies to minimize errors and enhance the precision of your data.

7. Thorough Data Analysis

Use appropriate statistical techniques to analyze the collected data. Statistical analysis helps you identify patterns, relationships, and significant differences between groups. Proper analysis is key to drawing valid conclusions from your experiment.

8. Clear Communication of Results

Effectively communicate your research findings through clear and concise writing. Present your results, methods, and conclusions in a structured manner, adhering to the standards of scientific reporting. Transparent communication ensures that others can understand, evaluate, and build upon your research.

By following these 8 points, you can conduct experimental research in a systematic, reliable, and impactful manner, leading to valuable contributions to your field of study. Now, let’s move to the main topic, experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students.

Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Certainly, there are more than 189+ experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students, categorized into different fields:

Biology and Life Sciences

  • Effects of Different Fertilizers on Plant Growth
  • Impact of Light Intensity on Photosynthesis
  • Influence of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
  • Relationship Between Diet and Animal Behavior
  • Efficacy of Antibiotics on Bacterial Cultures
  • Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Ecosystems
  • Impact of pH Levels on Microbial Growth
  • The Role of Genetics in Disease Susceptibility
  • Influence of Pollution on Soil Microbes
  • The Effect of Radiation on Cellular DNA

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

  • Kinetics of Chemical Reactions at Various Temperatures
  • Efficiency of Various Catalysts in Chemical Processes
  • Influence of pH on Chemical Equilibrium
  • Study of Electrochemical Cells and Voltage
  • Impact of Different Solvents on Reaction Rates
  • Properties of Various Polymers in Material Science
  • Effects of Different Oxidizing Agents on Reactions
  • The Relationship Between Pressure and Gas Behavior
  • The Influence of Concentration on Reaction Rate
  • The Efficacy of Water Purification Methods

Physics and Engineering

  • The Impact of Different Materials on Magnet Strength
  • Efficiency of Wind Turbines at Different Wind Speeds
  • Influence of Friction on Motion and Speed
  • Relationship Between Light Wavelengths and Energy
  • Effects of Different Insulation Materials on Heat Transfer
  • Impact of Material Properties on Bridge Strength
  • Efficiency of Solar Panels in Different Light Conditions
  • Influence of Temperature on Electrical Conductivity
  • Study of Fluid Dynamics in Various Geometries
  • The Role of Geometric Shapes in Sound Resonance

Environmental Science

  • Effects of Land Use on Local Climate Patterns
  • Influence of Air Pollution on Plant Health
  • Impact of Climate Change on Ocean Acidification
  • The Relationship Between Soil Erosion and Agricultural Productivity
  • Efficacy of Biodegradable Materials in Reducing Plastic Pollution
  • Study of Water Quality Parameters in Urban vs. Rural Areas
  • Effects of Renewable Energy Sources on Carbon Footprint
  • Influence of Pesticides on Honeybee Population Decline
  • Impact of Soil Contaminants on Groundwater Quality
  • The Role of Algae in Wastewater Treatment

Computer Science and Technology

  • Effects of Algorithm Complexity on Execution Time
  • Influence of Data Structures on Software Performance
  • Impact of Different Programming Languages on Code Efficiency
  • The Relationship Between Internet Speed and User Experience
  • Efficacy of Different Machine Learning Models in Data Analysis
  • Effects of Cybersecurity Measures on Network Vulnerabilities
  • Influence of Mobile App Features on User Engagement
  • Impact of Virtual Reality in Education on Learning Outcomes
  • The Use of Nanomaterials in Data Storage Devices
  • The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Natural Language Processing

Mathematics and Statistics

  • Effects of Teaching Methods on Math Skill Acquisition
  • Influence of Classroom Size on Student Performance
  • Impact of Tutoring Programs on Math Proficiency
  • The Relationship Between Homework and Test Scores
  • Efficacy of Different Teaching Strategies in Probability Education
  • Effects of Math Anxiety on Test Performance
  • Influence of Gender on Mathematical Problem-Solving
  • Impact of Early Math Education on Later Achievement
  • The Role of Game-Based Learning in Mathematics
  • The Use of Data Visualization in Statistical Analysis

Medicine and Healthcare

  • Effects of Medication on Heart Rate Variability
  • Influence of Different Therapies on Pain Management
  • Impact of Sleep Duration on Cognitive Performance
  • The Relationship Between Diet and Weight Loss
  • Efficacy of Telemedicine in Remote Healthcare Delivery
  • Effects of Telehealth on Patient Engagement
  • Influence of Lifestyle on Blood Pressure
  • Impact of Exercise on Stress Reduction
  • The Role of Telemedicine in Mental Health Support
  • The Use of Wearable Health Devices in Disease Monitoring

Materials Science and Nanotechnology

  • Effects of Nanomaterials on Solar Cell Efficiency
  • Influence of Nanoparticles on Drug Delivery
  • Impact of Nanotechnology on Water Filtration
  • The Relationship Between Nanomaterial Size and Strength
  • Efficacy of Nanoparticles in Targeted Cancer Therapy
  • Effects of Nanotechnology on Wearable Electronics
  • Influence of Nanomaterials in Energy Storage
  • Impact of Nanomaterials on Sensor Technologies
  • The Role of Nanomaterials in Environmental Remediation
  • The Use of Nanotechnology in Biomedical Imaging

Astronomy and Space Science

  • Effects of Stellar Types on Planetary Formation
  • Influence of Dark Matter on Galactic Dynamics
  • Impact of Solar Activity on Earth’s Climate
  • The Relationship Between Asteroids and Space Weather
  • Efficacy of Space Telescopes in Exoplanet Discovery
  • Effects of Cosmic Radiation on Space Travelers
  • Influence of Gravitational Waves on Black Hole Research
  • Impact of Satellite Data on Weather Prediction
  • The Role of Telescopes in Exoplanet Characterization
  • The Use of Space Probes in Solar System Exploration

Geology and Earth Sciences

  • Effects of Plate Tectonics on Earthquakes
  • Influence of Rock Types on Coastal Erosion
  • Impact of Soil Composition on Landslide Risk
  • The Relationship Between Geothermal Activity and Volcanic Eruptions
  • Efficacy of Geological Maps in Hazard Prediction
  • Effects of Climate Change on Glacier Movement
  • Influence of Seismic Waves on Building Resilience
  • Impact of Mineral Properties on Geological Exploration
  • The Role of Ground-Penetrating Radar in Archaeological Surveys
  • The Use of LiDAR in Topographic Mapping

Social Sciences

  • Effects of Social Media Use on Mental Health
  • Influence of Parenting Styles on Child Behavior
  • Impact of Education Levels on Income Disparities
  • The Relationship Between Income and Job Satisfaction
  • Efficacy of Diversity Training in Workplace Inclusion
  • Effects of Media Violence on Aggressive Behavior
  • Influence of Music on Stress Reduction
  • Impact of Family Structure on Child Development
  • The Role of Gender Stereotypes in Career Choices
  • The Use of Virtual Reality in Empathy Training

Economics and Finance

  • Effects of Fiscal Policy Changes on Economic Growth
  • Influence of Interest Rates on Investment Decisions
  • Impact of Inflation on Consumer Spending
  • The Relationship Between Stock Market Volatility and Investor Behavior
  • Efficacy of Financial Education on Saving Habits
  • Effects of Tax Policies on Small Business Growth
  • Influence of Exchange Rates on International Trade
  • Impact of Government Regulation on Industry Profitability
  • The Role of Behavioral Economics in Decision-Making
  • The Use of Cryptocurrencies in Global Transactions

Environmental Engineering

  • Effects of Wetland Restoration on Water Quality
  • Influence of Green Building Techniques on Energy Efficiency
  • Impact of Renewable Energy Integration on Grid Stability
  • The Relationship Between Land Use Planning and Flood Resilience
  • Efficacy of Environmental Impact Assessments in Construction
  • Effects of Water Treatment Methods on Contaminant Removal
  • Influence of Erosion Control Measures on Coastal Preservation
  • Impact of Watershed Management on Aquatic Ecosystem Health
  • The Role of Stormwater Management in Urban Sustainability
  • The Use of Biodegradable Materials in Waste Reduction

Also read: 139+ Creative SK Projects Ideas: Your Key to Creative Achievement

Robotics and Automation

  • Effects of Different Algorithms on Robot Navigation
  • Influence of Sensor Technologies on Autonomous Vehicles
  • Impact of Machine Learning on Robotic Object Recognition
  • The Relationship Between Human-Robot Interaction and User Satisfaction
  • Efficacy of Robot-Assisted Surgery in Medical Procedures
  • Effects of Robotics on Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Influence of Automation on Manufacturing Efficiency
  • Impact of AI in Autonomous Drones for Environmental Monitoring
  • The Role of Robotics in Space Exploration
  • The Use of AI in Predictive Maintenance for Industrial Equipment

Agricultural Sciences

  • Effects of Crop Rotation on Soil Nutrient Levels
  • Influence of Pest Control Methods on Crop Yields
  • Impact of Irrigation Techniques on Water Conservation
  • The Relationship Between Genetic Modification and Crop Resilience
  • Efficacy of Precision Agriculture in Resource Optimization
  • Effects of Soil Microbes on Plant Health
  • Influence of Organic Farming on Soil Biodiversity
  • Impact of Sustainable Practices on Farming Profitability
  • The Role of Drought-Resistant Crops in Food Security
  • The Use of Drones in Precision Farming

Energy Engineering

  • Effects of Different Energy Storage Systems on Grid Reliability
  • Influence of Renewable Energy Integration on Energy Independence
  • Impact of Building Insulation on Energy Efficiency
  • The Relationship Between Energy-Efficient Appliances and Household Savings
  • Efficacy of Smart Grid Technologies in Energy Management
  • Effects of Solar Thermal Systems on Water Heating
  • Influence of Geothermal Heat Pumps on HVAC Efficiency
  • Impact of Hydropower on Renewable Energy Portfolios
  • The Role of Energy-Efficient Lighting in Green Building
  • The Use of Biofuels in Reducing Carbon Emissions

Telecommunications and Networking

  • Effects of Network Topologies on Data Transmission Speed
  • Influence of Encryption Protocols on Data Security
  • Impact of 5G Technology on Mobile Network Performance
  • The Relationship Between Network Load and Bandwidth Allocation
  • Efficacy of Network Redundancy in Data Backup
  • Effects of Internet Traffic on Quality of Service
  • Influence of Routing Algorithms on Packet Delivery
  • Impact of Firewall Configurations on Network Protection
  • The Role of Network Virtualization in Scalability
  • The Use of IoT Devices in Smart Home Connectivity

Materials Engineering

  • Effects of Heat Treatment on Material Strength
  • Influence of Alloy Composition on Metal Durability
  • Impact of Coating Materials on Corrosion Resistance
  • The Relationship Between Material Properties and Wear Resistance
  • Efficacy of Composite Materials in Structural Applications
  • Effects of Surface Treatments on Material Hardness
  • Influence of Polymers in Biodegradable Packaging
  • Impact of Nanomaterials on Lightweight Materials
  • The Role of Smart Materials in Shape Memory Applications
  • The Use of Superconductors in Energy Transmission

Renewable Energy Technologies

  • Effects of Wind Turbine Blade Design on Energy Efficiency
  • Influence of Solar Panel Orientation on Energy Output
  • Impact of Biofuel Feedstock on Bioenergy Production
  • The Relationship Between Geothermal Heat Extraction and Sustainability
  • Efficacy of Tidal Energy Systems in Marine Environments
  • Effects of Concentrated Solar Power on Thermal Storage
  • Influence of Energy-Efficient Lighting in Building Sustainability
  • Impact of Biomass Gasification on Bioenergy Generation
  • The Role of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in Renewable Energy
  • The Use of Piezoelectric Materials in Energy Harvesting

Urban Planning and Architecture

  • Effects of Urban Green Spaces on Air Quality
  • Influence of Building Design on Indoor Air Quality
  • Impact of Transportation Systems on Urban Accessibility
  • The Relationship Between Noise Pollution and Building Acoustics
  • Efficacy of Low-Impact Development in Urban Stormwater Management
  • Effects of Smart Cities Technologies on Energy Efficiency
  • Influence of Green Building Materials on Sustainable Construction
  • Impact of Walkability in Urban Planning and Health
  • The Role of Urban Farms in Food Security
  • The Use of Building Automation Systems in Energy Management

Psychology and Behavioral Science

  • Effects of Stress Management Techniques on Well-Being
  • Influence of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Reduction
  • Impact of Behavioral Interventions on Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • The Relationship Between Color Psychology and Retail Sales
  • Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation in Stress Reduction
  • Effects of Music Therapy on Dementia Patients’ Behavior
  • Influence of Social Media Use on Self-Esteem
  • Impact of Positive Psychology on Employee Well-Being
  • The Impact of Video Games on Cognitive Skills

Here, we discussed the list of incredible experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students. 

Some Experimental Research Topics For High School Students 

Above, we discussed the list of experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students. Now, let’s discuss some experimental research topics suitable for high school students.

  • Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
  • Investigating the Effects of Climate Change on Local Ecosystems
  • Testing the Impact of Different Fertilizers on Plant Growth
  • Studying the Genetics of Inherited Traits
  • Measuring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Productivity
  • Examining the Relationship Between Exercise and Academic Performance
  • Investigating the Effects of Different Cooking Methods on Food Nutrient Levels
  • Testing the Efficiency of Water Filtration Methods
  • Studying the Behavior of Insects in Various Environments
  • Exploring the Chemistry of Food Preservation
  • Investigating the Physics of Simple Machines
  • Testing the Effect of Light on Plant Growth
  • Studying the Impact of Color on Human Mood and Perception
  • Measuring the Effect of Different Cleaning Products on Bacterial Growth
  • Investigating the Physics of Projectile Motion

These research topics cover a wide range of disciplines, allowing high school students to engage in exciting and educational experiments while nurturing their scientific curiosity and passion.

6 Mistakes To Avoid While Choosing an Experimental Research Topic

Selecting the right experimental research topic is an essential step to scoring in academic life. However, some common mistakes can hinder your research progress. Let’s explore six pitfalls to avoid:

1. Lack of Personal Interest

Choosing a topic solely based on its popularity or perceived prestige can lead to a lack of personal connection—your emotional investment matters. Select a subject that genuinely intrigues and excites you, as your enthusiasm will be your driving force throughout the research journey.

2. Overambitious Goals

Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and burnout. Remember, you’re not expected to solve the world’s most complex problems with a single experiment. Start with manageable, well-defined objectives that align with your resources and timeframe.

3. Ignoring Your Skill Level

Overestimating your skills can be disheartening. Choose a topic that matches your current knowledge and expertise. Gradual growth is emotionally rewarding, and as you gain proficiency, you can tackle more complex challenges.

4. Neglecting Resources

Research can be emotionally draining if you lack the necessary resources, be it equipment, materials, or mentorship. Before diving in, ensure you have access to the tools and guidance required for your chosen topic.

5. Failure to Consider the Bigger Picture

Focusing solely on your topic’s microcosm may lead to a lack of context. Remember to examine how your research fits into the larger scientific landscape. This perspective can be emotionally fulfilling, knowing that your work contributes to a broader understanding.

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6. Ignoring Ethical and Emotional Implications

Some topics may have ethical considerations or evoke emotional responses. Be aware of the potential emotional toll and moral dilemmas that your research may entail. Ensure that you’re emotionally prepared to address these issues responsibly.

Here, we discussed the mistakes to avoid while choosing the experimental research topics.

In this blog, we discussed the experimental quantitative research topics for STEM students, how to do research, what is STEM, some research topics for high school, and mistakes that should be avoided while choosing the experimental research topics. 

In conclusion, an experimental research topic is valuable for STEM students to increase their practical knowledge. Each research topic we choose in this blog will definitely help you to achieve your academic goals. Experimental quantitative research gives STEM students concrete insights to deepen their scientific understanding. 

STEM students, addressing what STEM is and why research matters in this field. The key takeaway is to choose a topic that resonates with your passion and aligns with your goals, ensuring a successful journey in STEM research. Choose the best Experimental Quantitative Research Topics For STEM students today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. why is experimental quantitative research important for stem students .

It is important because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and hands-on learning. It allows STEM students to explore real-world questions, make evidence-based discoveries, and contribute to advancements in their chosen fields.

Q2. What Skills Will I Develop Through Experimental Research?

STEM students will develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, project management, and effective communication. These skills are valuable in both academia and the workplace.

Q3. What are the Key Elements of a Good Research Question? 

A good research question should be specific, clear, measurable, and relevant. It should also be focused on testing a hypothesis or addressing a knowledge gap in your field.

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Active funding opportunity

Nsf 23-605: graduate research fellowship program (grfp), program solicitation, document information, document history.

  • Posted: July 18, 2023
  • Replaces: NSF 22-614

Program Solicitation NSF 23-605

Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):

     October 16, 2023

Life Sciences

     October 17, 2023

Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning

     October 19, 2023

Engineering

     October 20, 2023

Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy

Important Information And Revision Notes

  • This solicitation covers the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 competition.
  • Applicants must use the Research.gov/GRFP site ( https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do ) to register in Research.gov and submit their applications through the GRFP Application Module. Do not send application materials outside of the GRFP Application Module.
  • Applications are due on the deadline date at 5:00 p.m. local time of the applicant’s mailing address.
  • Currently enrolled second-year graduate students are strongly advised to provide official Registrar-issued transcripts as part of their application.
  • NSF will continue to emphasize high priority research in alignment with the priorities laid out in pages 127-128 of the FY2024 budget https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/budget_fy2024.pdf
  • Portions of the eligibility criteria have been rewritten for clarity.
  • Reference letter writers must use the Research.gov/GRFP site ( https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do ) to register in Research.gov and submit reference letters through the Reference Letter System. Reference letters are due October 27 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
  • Applicants and reference letter writers requiring accessibility accommodation are asked to notify the GRF Operations Center at least four weeks before the deadline to coordinate assistance with NSF in submitting the application or reference letter.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General information.

Program Title:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF actively encourages submission of applications from the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM. NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM. Thus, NSF especially encourages applications from undergraduate seniors and Bachelor's degree-holders interested in pursuing research-based graduate study in STEM. First- and second-year graduate students in eligible STEM fields and degree programs are also encouraged to apply.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

Contact: GRF Operations Center, telephone: (866) 673-4737, email: [email protected]

  • 47.041 --- Engineering
  • 47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
  • 47.050 --- Geosciences
  • 47.070 --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
  • 47.074 --- Biological Sciences
  • 47.075 --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences
  • 47.076 --- STEM Education
  • 47.079 --- Office of International Science and Engineering
  • 47.083 --- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
  • 47.084 --- NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award:

Estimated Number of Awards: 2,500

NSF will support at least 2,500 new Graduate Research Fellowships per fiscal year under this program solicitation pending availability of funds.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $159,000

Per award (Fellowship), pending the availability of funds.

Each Fellowship provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period. For each of the three years of support, NSF provides a $37,000 stipend and $16,000 cost of education allowance to the graduate degree-granting institution of higher education for each Fellow who uses the support in a fellowship year. The Fellowship is portable and can be transferred to a different institution of higher education if a Fellow chooses to transfer to another institution after completion of the first Fellowship year. While the Fellowship is offered to the individual, the Fellowship funds are awarded to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is enrolled and the institution is responsible for disbursement of the stipend to the Fellow.

Eligibility Information

Organization Limit:

Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must use the GRFP application module in Research.gov ( https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do ) to submit the application. Confirmation of acceptance in a graduate degree program in STEM or STEM education is required at the time of Fellowship acceptance, no later than the deadline indicated in the fellowship offer letter, of the year the Fellowship is accepted. Prospective Fellows must enroll in a non-profit university, college, or institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that offers advanced degrees in STEM and STEM education no later than fall of the year the Fellowship is accepted. All Fellows from the date of Fellowship Start through Completion or Termination of the Fellowship must be enrolled in a graduate degree-granting institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

See the Detailed Eligibility Requirements in Section IV for full information. Eligibility is based on the applicant's status at the application deadline. Applicants must self-certify that they are eligible to receive the Fellowship. To be eligible, an applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria at the application deadline: Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based Master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study) Have completed no more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) while enrolled in a graduate degree program Never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship Declined any previously offered Graduate Research Fellowship by the acceptance deadline Never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program Never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field Individuals holding joint Bachelor's-Master's degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see below) Individuals with prior graduate enrollment who have: (i) completed more than one academic year in any graduate degree-granting program, (ii) earned a previous master's degree of any kind (including Bachelor's-Master's degree), or (iii) earned a professional degree must meet the following requirements: not enrolled in a graduate degree program at application deadline two or more consecutive years past graduate degree enrollment or completion at the application deadline Not be a current NSF employee Number of Times An Individual May Apply Undergraduate seniors and Bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a graduate degree program have no restrictions on the number of times they can apply before enrolling in a degree-granting graduate program. Currently enrolled graduate students who have completed no more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) while enrolled in a graduate degree program can apply only once . Non-degree coursework does not count toward the one academic year limit. Individuals applying while enrolled in a joint Bachelor's-Master's degree program are considered graduate students who: i) must have completed three (3) years in the joint program, and; ii) are limited to one application to GRFP; they will not be eligible to apply again as doctoral students. For GRFP, joint Bachelor's-Master's degrees are defined as degrees concurrently pursued and awarded . Individuals holding joint Bachelor's-Master's degrees, currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who (i) have not previously applied as graduate students and (ii) enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree, may only apply in the first year of the doctoral program. Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit. Applications withdrawn after November 15 count toward this one-time limit. Applications not reviewed by NSF do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit.
An eligible applicant may submit only one application per annual competition.

Application Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. application preparation instructions.

Letters of Intent: Not applicable

Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not applicable

Application Instructions: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing Requirements:

Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

No indirect costs are allowed.

Other Budgetary Limitations:

Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

C. Due Dates

Application review information criteria.

Merit Review Criteria:

National Science Board approved Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) apply. Additional Solicitation-Specific Review Criteria also apply (see Section VI.A below).

Award Administration Information

Award Conditions:

NSF GRFP awards are made to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is or will be enrolled. The awardee institution is responsible for financial management of the award and disbursement of Fellowship funds to the individual Fellow. The institution will administer the awards, including any amendments, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials . All Fellowships are subject to the provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials .

Reporting Requirements:

See reporting requirements in full text of solicitation and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials . Fellows are required to submit annual activity reports and to declare fellowship status by the deadline specified in the notification sent by email each year. Additional reporting requirements are presented in Section VII.C of this solicitation.

I. Introduction

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a National Science Foundation-wide program that provides Fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. Three years of support over a five-year period are provided for graduate study that leads to a research-based master's or doctoral degree in STEM or STEM education (see eligible Fields of Study in Appendix).

The program goals are: 1) to select, recognize, and financially support early-career individuals with the demonstrated potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers, and 2) to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM. NSF actively encourages submission of applications from the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM.

GRFP is a critical program in NSF's overall strategy to develop the globally-engaged workforce necessary to ensure the Nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. The ranks of NSF Fellows include numerous individuals who have made transformative breakthrough discoveries in science and engineering, become leaders in their chosen careers, and been honored as Nobel laureates.

II. Program Description

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards Fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM or in STEM education. GRFP supports individuals proposing a comprehensive plan for graduate education that takes individual interests and competencies into consideration. The plan describes the academic achievements, attributes, and experiences that illustrate the applicant's demonstrated potential for significant research achievements. The applicant must provide a detailed profile of their relevant education, research experience, and plans for graduate education that demonstrates this potential.

Prospective applicants are advised that submission of an application implies their intent to pursue graduate study in a research-based program in STEM or STEM education at an accredited, non-profit institution of higher education having a campus located in the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants are expected to either have adequate preparation to enroll in a research-based master's or doctoral program, or be enrolled in such a program by fall of the year the Fellowship is accepted. From the date of the Fellowship Start through Completion or Termination of the Fellowship, applicants accepting the award (Fellows) must be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree-granting institution of higher education having a campus located in the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In FY2024, NSF will continue to fund outstanding Graduate Research Fellowships in all areas of science and engineering supported by NSF and continue to emphasize high priority research areas in alignment with NSF goals and priorities listed in pages 127-128 of the FY2024 budget ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/budget_fy2024.pdf ). Applications are encouraged in all disciplines supported by NSF.

III. Award Information

Fellowship funding will be for a maximum of three years of financial support (in 12-month allocations, starting in fall or summer) usable over a five-year fellowship period. The anticipated announcement date for the Fellowship awards is early April each year.

The Fellowship is portable and can be transferred to a different institution of higher education if a Fellow chooses to transfer to another institution after completion of the first Fellowship year. While the Fellowship is offered to the individual, the Fellowship funds are awarded to the institution at which a Fellow is enrolled and is considered the official NSF awardee institution. The awardee institution receives up to a $53,000 award per Fellow who uses the support in a fellowship year. The awardee institution is responsible for disbursement of fellowship funds to the Fellow. The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend is $37,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated in whole month increments of $3,083. The Cost of Education allowance provides payment in lieu of tuition and mandatory fees to the institution of $16,000 per year of fellowship support.

During receipt of the fellowship support, the institution is required to exempt Fellows from paying tuition and fees normally charged to students of similar academic standing, unless such charges are optional or are refundable (i.e., the institution is responsible for tuition and required fees in excess of the cost-of-education allowance). Acceptance of fellowship funds by the awardee institution indicates acceptance of and adherence to these and other terms and conditions of the NSF GRFP award. Refer to NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials for restrictions on the use of the cost-of-education allowance.

GRFP awards are eligible for supplemental funding as described in Chapter VI of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) ( NSF 23-1 ).

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects as described in Chapter II.F of the PAPPG . Fellows with disabilities may apply for assistance after consulting the instructions in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.

Career-Life Balance Supplemental Funding Requests (Dear Colleague Letter NSF 21-021 ) can be requested by the awardee institution to provide additional personnel (e.g., technician) to sustain the research of Fellows on approved medical leave due to family leave situations.

Fellows are eligible to apply for non-academic INTERN supplements following guidance specific to GRFP.

Honorable Mention

The NSF accords Honorable Mention to meritorious applicants who do not receive Fellowship offers. This is considered a significant national academic achievement.

IV. Eligibility Information

Applicant Eligibility:

Limit on Number of Applications per Applicant: 1

Additional Eligibility Info:

Eligibility is based on the applicant's status at the application deadline. Detailed Eligibility Requirements: Described in detail below are the eligibility requirements for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program: (1) citizenship, (2) degree requirements, and (3) field of study, degree programs, and proposed research. Applicants are strongly advised to read the entire program solicitation carefully to ensure that they understand all the eligibility requirements. Applicants must self-certify that they meet all eligibility criteria. 1. Citizenship Applicants must be United States citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States by the application deadline. The term "national" designates a native resident of a commonwealth or territory of the United States. It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for United States citizenship and who has not received U.S. citizenship by the application deadline, nor does it refer to an individual present in the U.S. on any type of visa. 2. Degree Requirements Applicants are eligible to apply: 1) as current undergraduates, or Bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program, and who will be prepared to attend graduate school in fall of the award year; 2) as current graduate students who have not completed more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) of any degree-granting graduate program; or 3) as returning graduate students who are not currently enrolled and who have had an interruption of at least two consecutive years in graduate study since their most recent enrollment in any graduate degree-granting program, regardless of whether the degree was completed or awarded. Below are detailed guidelines to determine eligibility: a) Applicants not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program, with no prior enrollment in a graduate degree-granting program (including joint Bachelor's-Master's programs): With no prior graduate degree program enrollment Undergraduate students on track to receive a Bachelor's degree by the fall of the year following the application (e.g., senior or final year of Bachelor's degree) and Bachelor's degree holders never enrolled in a graduate degree program can apply an unlimited number of times prior to enrolling in a graduate degree program. They must be prepared to enroll in a full-time graduate degree program by fall of the year they are offered a Graduate Research Fellowship. With one year or less of prior graduate degree-granting program enrollment Applicants must not have completed more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) of graduate study as indicated in the academic transcript issued by the Registrar of the universities attended as of the application deadline (see exception below). Applicants re-entering graduate study : applicants who have completed more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) of graduate study or earned a previous Master's or professional degree are eligible only if they have had an interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the application deadline, and are not enrolled in a graduate program at the deadline . Applicants must not have engaged in any graduate coursework during the interruption. Applicants should address the reasons for the interruption in graduate study in the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement. b) Applicants pursuing a Master's degree concurrently with a Bachelor's degree (joint Bachelor's-Master's degree program in which both degrees are awarded at the same time as indicated on the transcript): Individuals applying while enrolled in a joint Bachelor's-Master's degree program are considered graduate students, who: 1) must have completed three years in the joint program, and; ii) are limited to one application to GRFP; they will not be eligible to apply again as doctoral students. Individuals holding joint Bachelor's-Master's degrees, currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who have not previously applied as graduate students and enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree, may only apply in the first year of the doctoral program. Individuals holding joint Bachelor's-Master's degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see above). c) Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate degree program: Applicants must not have completed more than one academic year of graduate study as indicated in the academic transcript issued by the Registrar of the universities attended, as of the application deadline. Participation in non-degree summer activities PRIOR TO graduate status as indicated in the academic transcript issued by the Registrar before the start of the fall graduate program is not included in this total. Graduate status is understood to begin on the date indicated on the Registrar-issued transcript and ALL activities after that date will be considered graduate activities. Second-year graduate students are strongly advised to include official Registrar-issued transcripts with their application. If the transcript does not clearly indicate the start date of graduate status, applicants are strongly advised to include documents from the Registrar confirming the start of their graduate status. Graduate coursework taken without being enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program is not counted in this limit. 3. Field of Study, Degree Programs, and Proposed Research Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based Master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education, in eligible Fields of Study listed below: Chemistry Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering Engineering Geosciences Life Sciences Materials Research Mathematical Sciences Physics & Astronomy Psychology Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences STEM Education and Learning Research A complete list of eligible Major Fields of Study and their subfields are listed in the Appendix. If awarded, Fellows must enroll in a graduate degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study proposed in their application. A fellowship will not be awarded in a different Major Field of Study from that indicated in the application. Only research-based Master's and doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM education are eligible for GRFP support. Professional degree programs and graduate programs that are primarily course-based with no thesis are ineligible for GRFP support. Within eligible fields of study, there are ineligible areas of study and ineligible areas of proposed research. See below for ineligible areas of study and proposed research. Applications determined to be ineligible will not be reviewed. a) Ineligible degree programs Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will be enrolled in a practice-oriented professional degree program such as medical, dental, law, and public health degrees at any time during the fellowship. Ineligible degree programs include, but are not limited to, MBA, MPH, MSW, JD, MD, DVM and DDS. Joint or combined professional degree-science programs (e.g., MD/PhD or JD/PhD) and dual professional degree-science programs are also not eligible. Individuals enrolled in a graduate degree program while on a leave of absence from a professional degree program or professional degree-graduate degree joint program are not eligible. b) Ineligible areas of study Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will be enrolled in graduate study focused on clinical practice, counseling, social work, patient-oriented research, epidemiological and medical behavioral studies, outcomes research, and health services research. Ineligible study includes pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and behavioral interventions for disease or disorder prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, therapy, or treatment. Research to provide evidence leading to a scientific basis for consideration of a change in health policy or standard of care is not eligible. Graduate study focused on community, public, or global health, or other population-based research including medical intervention trials is also not eligible. c) Ineligible proposed research (i) Research for which the goals are directly human disease- or health-related, including the etiology, diagnosis, and/or treatment of disease or disorder is not eligible for support. Research activities using animal models of disease, for developing or testing of drugs or other procedures for treatment of disease or disorder are not eligible. (ii) Research focused on basic questions in plant pathology are eligible, however, applied studies focused on maximizing production in agricultural plants or impacts on food safety, are not eligible. (iii) Research with implications that inform policy is eligible. Research with the expressed intent to influence, advocate for, or effect specific policy outcomes is not eligible. d) Limited exceptions to ineligible proposed research (i) Certain areas of bioengineering research directed at medical use are eligible. These include research projects in bioengineering to aid persons with disabilities, or to diagnose or treat human disease or disorder, provided they apply engineering principles to problems in medicine while primarily advancing engineering knowledge. Applicants planning to study and conduct research in these areas of bioengineering should select biomedical engineering as the field of study. (ii) Certain areas of materials research directed at development of materials for use in biological or biomedical systems are eligible, provided they are focused on furthering fundamental materials research. (iii) Certain areas of research with etiology-, diagnosis-, or treatment-related goals that advance fundamental knowledge in engineering, mathematical, physical, computer or information sciences, are eligible for support. Applicants are advised to consult a faculty member, academic advisor, mentor, or other advisor for guidance on preparation of their research plans, and selection of Major Fields of Study and subfields.

V. Application Preparation And Submission Instructions

Fellowship applications must be submitted online using the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Module at https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do according to the deadline corresponding with the Field of Study selected in the application .

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. local time as determined by the applicant’s mailing address provided in the application. Applications received after the Field of Study deadline will not be reviewed . Applications submitted to a Field of Study deadline not in alignment with the proposed research plan will not be reviewed.

All reference letters must be submitted online by the reference writers through the GRFP Application Module ( https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do ) and must be received by the reference letter deadline (see Application Preparation and Submission Instructions/C. Due Dates of this Solicitation), of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Reference letter writers cannot be family members of the applicant. Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for three (3) reference writers from non-family members. Up to five (5) potential reference letter writers can be provided. Two reference letters from non-family members must be received by the reference letter deadline applications to be reviewed. If fewer than two reference letters (one or none) are received by the reference letter deadline, the application will not be reviewed.

Applicants must submit the following information through the GRFP Application Module: Personal Information; Education, Work and Other Experience; Transcript PDFs; Proposed Field(s) of Study; Proposed Graduate Study and Graduate School Information; the names and email addresses of at least three reference letter writers; Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement PDF; and Graduate Research Plan Statement PDF.

Only the information required in the GRFP Application Module will be reviewed. No additional items or information will be accepted or reviewed. Do not provide links to web pages within the application, except as part of citations in the References Cited section. Images must be included in the page limits. Review of the application and reference letters is based solely on materials received by the application and reference letter deadlines. Do not email application materials.

Applicants must follow the instructions in the GRFP Application Module for completing each section of the application. The statements must be written using the following guidelines:

  • standard 8.5" x 11" page size
  • 11 point or higher font, except text that is part of an image
  • Times New Roman font for all text, Cambria Math font for equations, Symbol font for non-alphabetic characters (it is recommended that equations and symbols be inserted as an image)
  • 1" margins on all sides, no text inside 1" margins (no header, footer, name, or page number)
  • No less than single-spacing (approximately 6 lines per inch)
  • Do not use line spacing options such as “exactly 11 point,” that are less than single spaced
  • PDF file format only

Compliance with these guidelines will be automatically checked by the GRFP Application Module. Documents that are not compliant will not be accepted by the GRFP Application Module. Applicants are strongly advised to proofread and upload their documents early to ensure they are format-compliant and that non-compliant documents do not delay upload of the complete application for receipt by the deadline. Applications that are not compliant with these format requirements will not be reviewed.

The maximum length of the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement is three (3) pages (PDF). The maximum length of the Graduate Research Plan Statement is two (2) pages (PDF). These page limits include all references, citations, charts, figures, images, and lists of publications and presentations. Applicants must certify that the two statements (Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement, and Graduate Research Plan Statement) in the application are their own original work. As explained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG): “NSF expects strict adherence to the rules of proper scholarship and attribution. The responsibility for proper scholarship and attribution rests with the authors of a proposal; all parts of the proposal should be prepared with equal care for this concern. Authors other than the PI (or any co-PI) should be named and acknowledged. Serious failure to adhere to such standards can result in findings of research misconduct. NSF policies and rules on research misconduct are discussed in the PAPPG, as well as 45 CFR Part 689."

Both statements must address NSF’s review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts (described in detail in Section VI). " Intellectual Merit" and "Broader Impacts" sections must be present under separate headings in both Personal and Research Plan statements. Applications that do not have separate headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts will not be reviewed.

In the application, applicants must list their undergraduate institution, and all graduate institutions attended with a start date prior to the fall term in which the application is submitted. Transcripts are required for all degree-granting programs listed. Transcripts may be included for all other institutions listed in the Education section. If the applicant started at the current institution in the fall of the application year and the institution does not provide unofficial or official transcripts prior to completion of the first term, the applicant may submit a class schedule/enrollment verification form in place of a transcript. At least one transcript must be included for the application to be accepted by the GRFP Application Module.

Transcripts must be uploaded through the GRFP Application Module by the Field of Study application deadline. Applicants should redact personally-identifiable information (date of birth, individual Social Security Numbers, personal financial information, home addresses, home telephone numbers and personal email addresses) from the transcripts before uploading. Transcripts must be uploaded as a PDF to be accepted by the GRFP Application Module. Transcripts must not be encrypted; the GRFP Application Module does not accept encrypted or password-protected transcripts.

Applicants who earned master’s degrees in joint Bachelor's-Master’s degree programs should submit transcripts that clearly document the joint program. If the transcript does not document the joint program and does not show that the Bachelor's and Master's degrees were conferred on the same date, applicants must upload a letter from the registrar of the institution certifying enrollment in a joint program, appended to the transcript for that institution. Failure to provide clear documentation of a joint program may result in an application being returned without review.

Failure to comply fully with the above requirements will result in the application not being reviewed.

Applications that are incomplete due to missing required transcripts and/or reference letters (fewer than two letters received), or that do not have "received" status in the Application Module on the application deadline for the selected Field of Study) will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised to submit applications early to avoid unanticipated delays on the deadline dates.

Reference Letters Reference writers cannot be family members of the applicant. Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for three (3) reference writers from non-family members. Up to five (5) potential reference letter writers can be provided. Two reference letters from non-family members must be received by the reference letter deadline for an application to be reviewed. If fewer than two reference letters (one or none) are received by the reference letter deadline, the application will not be reviewed.

No changes to the list of reference writers are allowed after the application is submitted. Applicants are strongly advised to check the accuracy of email addresses provided for reference writers before submitting their application.

All reference letters must be received in the GRFP Application Module by 5:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the letter submission deadline date (see the deadline posted in GRFP Application Module and in Application Preparation and Submission Instructions/C. Due Dates of this Solicitation). No exceptions to the reference letter submission deadline will be granted. Each letter is limited to two (2) pages (PDF). The GRFP Application Module allows applicants to request up to five (5) reference letters and to rank those reference letters in order of preference for review. If more than three reference letters are received, the top three letters according to ranked preference will be considered for the application. Reference writers will be notified by an email of the request to submit a letter of reference on behalf of an applicant. Reference writers will not be notified of the ranked preference for review provided by the applicant.

To avoid disqualifying an application, reference writers should upload the letter well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. ET deadline . No letters will be accepted via email. Letter writers will receive a confirmation email after successful upload via the GRFP Application Module.

For technical assistance with letter upload: NSF Help Desk: [email protected] ; 1-800-381-1532

Applicants must enter an email address for each reference writer into the GRFP Application Module. An exact email address is crucial to matching the reference writer and the applicant in the GRFP Application Module. Applicants should ask reference writers well in advance of the reference writer deadline, and it is recommended they provide copies of their application materials to the writers.

Applicant-nominated reference writers must upload their letters through the GRFP Application Module. Reference letter requirements include:

  • Institutional or professional letterhead, if available
  • SIGNED by the reference writer, including the name, professional title, department, and institution
  • Two (2) page limit (PDF file format)
  • Standard 8.5" x 11" page size
  • 11-point or higher Times New Roman font and 1" margins on all sides
  • Single spaced using normal (100%) single-line spacing

The reference letter should address the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts (described in detail below). It should include details explaining the nature of the relationship to the applicant (including research advisor role), comments on the applicant's potential for contributing to a globally-engaged United States science and engineering workforce, statements about the applicant's academic potential and prior research experiences, statements about the applicant's proposed research, and any other information to aid review panels in evaluating the application according to the NSF Merit Review Criteria.

Application Completion Status

Applicants should use the "Application Completion Status" feature in the GRFP Application Module to ensure all application materials, including reference letters, have been received by NSF before the deadlines. For technical support, call the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail [email protected] .

Interdisciplinary Applications

NSF welcomes applications for interdisciplinary programs of study and research; however, data on interdisciplinary study is collected for informational purposes only. Interdisciplinary research is defined as "a mode of research by teams or individuals that integrates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialized knowledge to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice" (Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, 2004. Facilitating interdisciplinary research . National Academies. Washington: National Academy Press, p. 2). Applications must be received by the deadline for the first Major Field of Study designated in the application. Applications will be reviewed by experts in the first Major Field of Study listed. If awarded, Fellows will be required to enroll in a degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study in which the application was funded. Withdrawal of a GRFP application

To withdraw a submitted application, the applicant must withdraw their application using the Withdrawal option in the GRFP Application Module.

Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit. Applications withdrawn after November 15 count toward this limit.

Cost Sharing:

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

NSF awards $53,000 each year to the GRFP institution to cover the Fellow stipend and Cost of Education allowance for each NSF Graduate Research Fellow "on tenure" at the institution.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Fellowship stipend is $37,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated in monthly increments of $3,083. The institutional Cost of Education allowance is $16,000 per tenure year per Fellow.

D. Application Submission Requirements

Applicants are required to prepare and submit all applications for this program solicitation through the GRFP Application Module. Detailed instructions for application preparation and submission are available at: https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do . For user support, call the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail [email protected] . The NSF Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.

VI. Application Review Information

A. merit review principles and criteria.

Applications are reviewed by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers and other professional graduate education experts. Reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the applicants. Applications are reviewed in broad areas of related disciplines based on the selection of a Field of Study (see Fields of Study in Appendix). Selection of a Major Field of Study determines the application deadline, the broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers, and the discipline of the graduate degree program if awarded a Fellowship. Applicants are advised to select the Major Field of Study in the GRFP Application Module (see Fields of Study in Appendix) that is most closely aligned with the proposed graduate program of study and research plan. Applicants who select “Other” must provide additional information describing their studies.

Each application will be reviewed independently in accordance with the NSF Merit Review Criteria using all available information in the completed application. In considering applications, reviewers are instructed to address the two Merit Review Criteria as approved by the National Science Board - Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts ( NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide ). Applicants must include separate statements on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria as detailed below . Applicants should include headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their statements.

The following description of the Merit Review Criteria is provided in Chapter III of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) :

All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i. contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the proposal.) Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i., prior to the review of a proposal.
When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
  • Intellectual Merit : The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
  • Broader Impacts : The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:
a. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

Additionally, Chapter II of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide states:

Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the US; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

B. Application Review and Selection Process

Applications submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed online by Panel Review.

The application evaluation involves the review and rating of applications by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers, and other professional graduate education experts.

Applicants are reviewed on their demonstrated potential to advance knowledge and to make significant research achievements and contributions to their fields throughout their careers. Reviewers are asked to assess applications using a holistic, comprehensive approach, giving balanced consideration to all components of the application, including the educational and research record, leadership, outreach, service activities, and future plans, as well as individual competencies, experiences, and other attributes. The aim is to recruit and retain a diverse cohort of early-career individuals with high potential for future achievements, contributions, and broader impacts in STEM and STEM education.

The primary responsibility of each reviewer is to evaluate eligible GRFP applications by applying the Merit Review Criteria described in Section VI.A, and to recommend applicants for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Reviewers are instructed to review the applications holistically, applying the Merit Review Criteria and noting GRFP’s emphasis on demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in STEM or in STEM education. From these recommendations, NSF selects applicants for Fellowships or Honorable Mention, in line with NSF’s mission and the goals of GRFP. After Fellowship offers are made, applicants are able to view verbatim reviewer comments, excluding the names of the reviewers, for a limited period of time through the NSF GRFP Module.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. notification of the award.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program applicants will be notified of the outcomes of their applications by early April of the competition year. The NSF publishes lists of Fellowship and Honorable Mention recipients on the GRFP Module at https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do in early April.

B. Award Conditions

NSF GRFP awards are made to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is or will be enrolled. The awardee institution is responsible for financial management of the award and disbursement of Fellowship funds to the Fellow. The NSF GRFP award consists of the award notification letter that includes the applicable terms and conditions and Fellowship management instructions. All Fellowships are made subject to the provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials .

NSF GRFP awards provide funds for NSF Fellows who have "on tenure" status. The institution will administer the awards, including any amendments, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials .

The applicant must accept or decline the Fellowship by the deadline indicated in the award notification letter by logging into the GRFP Module at https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do with the applicant User ID and password. Failure to comply with the deadline and acceptance of Fellowship Terms and Conditions by the deadline will result in revocation of the Fellowship offer and render applicants ineligible to re-apply.

Terms and Conditions

Awardees must formally accept and agree to the terms and conditions of the Fellowship award. Acceptance of the Fellowship constitutes a commitment to pursue a graduate degree in an eligible science or engineering field. Acceptance of a Fellowship award is an explicit acceptance of this commitment and assurance that the Fellow will be duly enrolled in a graduate degree program consistent with the field of study indicated in their application by the beginning of the following academic year. Major changes in scope later in the graduate career require NSF approval. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials includes the terms and conditions that apply to the Fellowship and subsequent institutional award, in addition to the eligibility requirements (U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, degree requirements, and field of study) and Certifications in the application. Each institution, in accepting the funds, also certifies that the Fellows are eligible to receive the Fellowship under these terms and conditions. Fellows are expected to make satisfactory academic progress towards completion of their graduate degrees, as defined and certified by the Fellow's GRFP institution. In cases where Fellows have misrepresented their eligibility, or have failed to comply with the Fellowship Terms and Conditions, the Fellowship will be revoked, and the case may be referred to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation. This action may result in requiring the Fellow to repay Fellowship funds to the National Science Foundation.

An individual may not accept the Graduate Research Fellowship if the individual accepts or is supported by another federal graduate fellowship.

Responsible Conduct of Research

It is the responsibility of the Fellow, in conjunction with the GRFP institution, to ensure that all academic and research activities carried out in or outside the US comply with the laws or regulations of the US and/or of the foreign country in which the academic and/or research activities are conducted. These include appropriate human subject, animal welfare, copyright and intellectual property protection, and other regulations or laws, as appropriate. All academic and research activities should be coordinated with the appropriate US and foreign government authorities, and necessary licenses, permits, or approvals must be obtained prior to undertaking the proposed activities.

In response to the America COMPETES Act, all Fellows supported by NSF to conduct research are required to receive appropriate training and oversight in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.

Research Involving Human Subjects

Projects involving research with human subjects must ensure that subjects are protected from research risks in conformance with the relevant Federal policy known as the Common Rule ( Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects , 45 CFR 690 ). All projects involving human subjects must either (1) have approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before issuance of an NSF award; or, (2) must affirm that the IRB has declared the research exempt from IRB review, in accordance with the applicable subsection, as established in 45 CFR § 690.104(d) of the Common Rule. Fellows are required to comply with this policy and adhere to the organization's protocol for managing research involving human subjects.

Research Involving Vertebrate Animals

Any project proposing use of vertebrate animals for research or education shall comply with the Animal Welfare Act [7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.] and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of Agriculture [9 CFR 1.1-4.11] pertaining to the humane care, handling, and treatment of vertebrate animals held or used for research, teaching or other activities supported by Federal awards. In accordance with these requirements, proposed projects involving use of any vertebrate animal for research or education must be approved by the submitting organization's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before an award can be made. For this approval to be accepted by NSF, the organization must have a current Public Health Service (PHS) Approved Assurance.

Projects involving the care or use of vertebrate animals at an international organization or international field site also require approval of research protocols by the US grantee’s IACUC. If the project is to be funded through an award to an international organization or through an individual fellowship award that will support activities at an international organization, NSF will require a statement from the international organization explicitly listing the proposer’s name and referencing the title of the award to confirm that the activities will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws in the international country and that the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (see: http://www.cioms.ch/ ) will be followed.

Legal Rights to Intellectual Property

The National Science Foundation claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its fellowship or traineeship grants. However, fellows and trainees should be aware that the NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research. Also, fellows and trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.

C. Reporting Requirements

Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer

All publications, presentations, and creative works based on activities conducted during the Fellowship must acknowledge NSF GRFP Support and provide a disclaimer by including the following statement in the Acknowledgements or other appropriate section:

"This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (NSF grant number). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation."

Annual Activities Report and Annual Fellowship Status Declaration

Fellows are required to submit an Annual Activities Report and to complete Fellowship Status Declaration by the deadline date each year (deadline notification sent by email), using NSF's GRFP Module. The GRFP Module permits online submission and updating of activity reports, including information on research accomplishments and activities related to broader impacts, presentations, publications, teaching and research assistantships, awards and recognitions, and other scholarly and service accomplishments. These reports must be reviewed and satisfactory progress verified by the faculty advisor or designated graduate program administrator prior to submission to NSF.

Fellows must declare their intent to utilize the Fellowship for the following year using the NSF GRFP Module. Failure to declare Fellowship status by the established deadline violates the terms and conditions for NSF Fellowship awards, and results in termination of the Fellowship.

Program Evaluation

The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) conducts evaluations to provide evidence on the impact of the GRFP on individuals' educational decisions, career preparations, aspirations and progress, as well as professional productivity; and provide an understanding of the program policies in achieving the program goals. Additionally, it is highly desirable to have a structured means of tracking Fellows beyond graduation to gauge the extent to which they choose a career path consistent with the intent of the program and to assess the impact the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship has had on their graduate education experience. Accordingly, Fellows and Honorable Mention recipients may be contacted for updates on various aspects of their employment history, professional activities and accomplishments, participation in international research collaborations, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program. Fellows and their institutions agree to cooperate in program-level evaluations conducted by the NSF and/or contracted evaluators. The 2014 GRFP evaluation is posted on the "Evaluation Reports" Web page for NSF's Directorate for STEM Education.

GRFP institutions are required to submit the GRFP Completion Report annually. The Completion Report allows GRFP institutions to certify the current status of all GRFP Fellows at the institution. The current status will identify a Fellow as: In Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn. For Fellows who have graduated, the graduation date is a required reporting element.

VIII. Agency Contacts

Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website ( https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201 ) for any updates to the points of contact.

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

For questions related to the use of GRFP Application Module, contact:

NSF Help Desk: telephone: 1-800-381-1532; e-mail: [email protected]

The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for processing applications and responding to requests for information. General inquiries regarding the Graduate Research Fellowship Program should be made to:

Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center, telephone: 866-NSF-GRFP, 866-673-4737 (toll-free from the US and Canada) or 202-331-3542 (international). email: [email protected]

IX. Other Information

The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences . Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. "NSF Update" also is available on NSF's website .

Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at https://www.grants.gov .

Students are encouraged to gain professional experience in other countries through their university graduate programs, and to participate in international research opportunities offered by NSF at: Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) | NSF - National Science Foundation . Other funding opportunities for students are available at http://www.nsfgrfp.org/ .

About The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."

NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research.

NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide Chapter II.F.7 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.

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The information requested on the application materials is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualified applicants and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers as part of the review process; to the institution the nominee, applicant or fellow is attending or is planning to attend or is employed by for the purpose of facilitating review or award decisions, or administering fellowships or awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and other individuals who perform a service to or work under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, advisory committee, committee of visitors, or other arrangement with the Federal government as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies needing data regarding applicants or nominees as part of the review process, or in order to coordinate programs; and to another Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information from this system may be merged with other computer files to carry out statistical studies the results of which do not identify individuals. Notice of the agency's decision may be given to nominators, and disclosure may be made of awardees' names, home institutions, and fields of study for public information purposes. For fellows or awardees receiving stipends directly from the government, information is transmitted to the Department of the Treasury to make payments. See System of Record Notices , NSF-12, "Fellowships and Other Awards," 63 Federal Register 265 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary; however, failure to provide full and complete information may reduce the possibility of your receiving an award.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

Suzanne H. Plimpton Reports Clearance Officer Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management National Science Foundation Alexandria, VA 22314

X. Appendix

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

Major Fields of Study

Note: Applications are reviewed based on the selection of a Major Field of Study. As an example, CHEMISTRY is a Major Field of Study, and Chemical Catalysis is a subfield under CHEMISTRY.

Selection of a Major Field of Study determines the application deadline, the broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers who will review the application, and the discipline of the graduate program if the Fellowship is accepted. The subfield category designates specific expertise of the reviewers. Applicants can select “Other” if their specific subfield is not represented in the list of subfields under the Major Field of Study. The "Other" subfield category should be selected only if the proposed subfield is not covered by one of the listed subfields, and should not be used to designate a subfield that is more specific than the subfields listed.

Artificial Intelligence Chemical Catalysis Chemical Measurement and Imaging Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanism Chemical Synthesis Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods Chemistry of Life Processes Computationally Intensive Research Environmental Chemical Systems Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry Other (specify) Quantum Information Science Sustainable Chemistry

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES & ENGINEERING

Accessibility

Algorithms and Theoretical Foundations Artificial Intelligence

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, Graphics, and Visualization Bioinformatics and Bio-inspired Computing Communication and Information Theory Computationally Intensive Research Computer Architecture Computer Security and Privacy Computer Systems

Computer Vision

Cyber-Physical Systems and Embedded Systems Data Science, Data Mining, Information Retrieval and Databases

Electronic Design Automation and Design of Micro and Nano Computing Systems

Fairness, Explainability, Accountability and Transparency in Analytics

Formal Methods, Verification, and Programming Languages Human Computer Interaction

Information Sciences Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Other (specify)

Parallel, Distributed, and Cloud Computing Quantum Information Science Robotics

Scientific Computing

Social Computing Software Engineering

Wired and Wireless Networking

ENGINEERING

Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering Artificial Intelligence Bioengineering Biomedical Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computationally Intensive Research Computer Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering Energy Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial Engineering & Operations Research Manufacturing Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Nuclear Engineering Ocean Engineering Optical Engineering Other (specify) Quantum Engineering Quantum Information Science Systems Engineering Wireless Engineering

GEOSCIENCES

Aeronomy Artificial Intelligence Arctic-Antarctic

Atmospheric Chemistry Biogeochemistry Biological Oceanography Chemical Oceanography Climate and Large-Scale Atmospheric Dynamics Computationally Intensive Research Geobiology Geochemistry Geodynamics Geomorphology Geophysics Glaciology Hydrology Magnetospheric Physics Marine Biology Marine Geology and Geophysics Other (specify) Paleoclimate Paleontology and Paleobiology Petrology Physical and Dynamic Meteorology Physical Oceanography Quantum Information Science Sedimentary Geology Solar Physics Tectonics

LIFE SCIENCES

Artificial Intelligence Biochemistry Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Biophysics Cell Biology Computationally Intensive Research Developmental Biology Ecology Environmental Biology Evolutionary Biology Genetics Genomics Microbial Biology Neurosciences Organismal Biology Other (specify) Physiology Proteomics Quantum Information Science Structural Biology Systematics and Biodiversity Systems and Molecular Biology

MATERIALS RESEARCH

Artificial Intelligence Biomaterials Ceramics Chemistry of Materials Computationally Intensive Research Electronic Materials Materials Theory Metallic Materials Other (specify) Photonic Materials Physics of Materials Polymers Quantum Information Science

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics Analysis Applied Mathematics Artificial Intelligence Biostatistics Computational and Data-enabled Science Computational Mathematics Computational Statistics Computationally Intensive Research Geometric Analysis Logic or Foundations of Mathematics Mathematical Biology Other (specify) Probability Quantum Information Science Statistics Topology

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

Artificial Intelligence Astronomy and Astrophysics Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Computationally Intensive Research Condensed Matter Physics Nuclear Physics Other (specify) Particle Physics Physics of Living Systems Plasma Physics Quantum Information Science Solid State Physics Theoretical Physics

Artificial Intelligence Cognitive Neuroscience Cognitive Psychology Comparative Psychology Computational Psychology Computationally Intensive Research Developmental Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Neuropsychology Other (specify) Perception and Psychophysics Personality and Individual Differences Physiological Psychology Psycholinguistics Quantitative Psychology Quantum Information Science Social/Affective Neuroscience Social Psychology

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Anthropology, other (specify) Archaeology Artificial Intelligence Biological Anthropology Communications Computationally Intensive Research Cultural Anthropology Decision Making and Risk Analysis Economics Geography History and Philosophy of Science International Relations Law and Social Science Linguistic Anthropology Linguistics Medical Anthropology Other (specify) Political Science Public Policy Quantum Information Science Science Policy Sociology Urban and Regional Planning

STEM EDUCATION AND LEARNING RESEARCH

Artificial Intelligence Computationally Intensive Research Engineering Education Mathematics Education Other (specify) Quantum Information Science Science Education Technology Education

National Science Foundation

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Investigating the feasability of classifying breast microcalcifications using GaAs photon-counting spectral mammography

With the addition of x-ray energy information, photon counting spectral mammography and spectral digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) have great promise for increasing the positive predictive value for tissue biopsy (PPV3). A new type of photon counting detector material, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs detector), has near-ideal properties for breast imaging. The goal of this research was to investigate the use of a (GaAs) photon-counting spectral mammography system to differentiate between Type I and Type II microcalcifications. Type I calcifications, consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate or weddellite compounds are more often associated with benign lesions, and Type II calcifications containing hydroxyapatite are predominantly associated with malignant lesions. With the addition of x-ray energy information, photon counting spectral mammography and spectral digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) have great promise for increasing the positive predictive value for tissue biopsy (PPV3). A new type of photon counting detector material, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs detector), has near-ideal properties for breast imaging. The goal of this research was to investigate the use of a (GaAs) photon-counting spectral mammography system to differentiate between Type I and Type II microcalcifications. Type I calcifications, consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate or weddellite compounds are more often associated with benign lesions, and Type II calcifications containing hydroxyapatite are predominantly associated with malignant lesions. The study was carried out using a 4cm CIRS breast phantom consisting of 50% glandular and 50% adipose tissue. Synthetic cylindrical disk-shaped calcifications ranging from 300 to 900 μm in size were inserted to mimic the mammography image of a breast with microcalcifications. Measurements were performed on a custom-built laboratory benchtop system using the SANTIS 0804 GaAs detector prototype system from DECTRIS Ltd. (Baden, Switzerland). The detector was operated with four energy thresholds enabled. A maximum likelihood algorithm was used to estimate the fraction of transmitted x rays through varying thicknesses of Aluminum and PMMA at each pixel. The classification of Type I and Type II microcalcifications was performed using the estimated energy dependent transmission fraction factors for the pixels containing microcalcifications. The results were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and demonstrated good discrimination performance with the area under the ROC curve greater than 99%. Results indicated that GaAs photon-counting spectral mammography with four energy thresholds has the potential to be used as a non-invasive method for discrimination between Type I and Type II microcalcifications. This can potentially improve early breast cancer diagnosis and reduce the number of unnecessary breast biopsies. Additional studies using anthropomorphic phantoms and small microcalcification specks should be performed to further explore the feasibility of this approach.

  • Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Endocrinological Sequaelae of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

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Long survivors after allogeneic- (allo-) and autologous- (auto-) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) experience early and late endocrine disorders, such as gonadal impairment in males and females, infertility, dysfunctions of the hypothalamus-pituitary-growth hormone/insulin growth factor-I axis, ...

Keywords : hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hematological disorders, CAR-T cells, targeted therapy, endocrinology, transplant complications, gonadal impairment, fertility, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid diseases, autoimmunity, bone loss, osteoporosis

Important Note : All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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    Keywords: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hematological disorders, CAR-T cells, targeted therapy, endocrinology, transplant complications, gonadal impairment, fertility, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid diseases, autoimmunity, bone loss, osteoporosis . Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted ...

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