TOPIC IDEAS:
Here are possible research questions you can choose from. You may choose any one of these questions, or if you have another idea for a specific group you want to investigate, you can write
your own research question.
• What challenges do college students struggling with mental health issues face, and what
programs or policies can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do First Generation college students face, and what programs or policies
can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do students veterans/active military students face, and what programs or
policies can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do foster youth college students face, and what programs or policies can
improve their college experience?
• What challenges do college students with learning disabilities face, and what programs or
policies can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do undocumented (DACA) college students face, and what programs or
policies can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do LGBTQIA+ college students face, and what programs or policies can
improve their college experience? (You can choose to narrow this down to focus on a
more specific group, such as transgender students or LGBTQ students of color)
• What challenges do college students of color face, and what programs or policies can
improve their college experience? (You can choose to narrow this topic down even more,
for instance, men of color, African American students, Latinx students, etc.)
• What challenges do college students experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity
face, and what programs or policies can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do returning students with children face, and what programs or policies
can improve their college experience?
• What challenges do college students with poor study skills face, and what programs or
policies can improve their college experience?
_______________________
Janna Anderson, Nov. 2021
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AS YOU RESEARCH AND PLAN YOUR ESSAY:
• How serious are the problems these students face? How common are these problems?
• How are these students affected?
• Have there been any recent changes that are helping to provide more support?
• What can policymakers do? What statewide initiatives might be tried? Can more government funding
help? Or can current funding be better used?
• What can colleges do to better support these students? Consider possible solutions:
• Specialized programs (for example, Fullerton College’s Grads to Be for undocumented students)
• Student organizations
• Staff and faculty training (safe space training, ally training, etc.)
• Creating flexibility in scheduling, attendance policies, etc.
• Increasing scholarships and partnerships with outside groups
• Does Fullerton College have programs that address this group’s specific needs?
• If you have a transfer school in mind, research that university’s programs for this group.
TIPS:
§ Write in third person and focus on analyzing the topic. Do not use “you” or give advice. If you have a
personal example that you want to use to support your analysis, you may use first person when you
describe your experience; however, personal examples and first person should be very limited. The
essay should not focus on your own experience or your reaction to the reading.
§ Look for at least three reputable sources that are no more than five years old. Since this is a current
topic, you want the most current information available. If your articles are too old, the statistics may
be outdated and the information may not longer be accurate.
§ At least one source must come from the library databases. There will be an activity in the modules
that will help you learn to use the databases. The librarians also offer research appointments to help
you with your research.
§ If you choose to use the internet for additional research, limit your research to the following:
o News article from reputable journalistic sources, like newspaper or news magazine websites.
o Recent reports from non-profit organizations or educational institutions or government
websites (look for sources with .edu or .gov and some .org websites may also be acceptable).
o If you are not sure about an internet source’s appropriateness, email the link to me for
approval or ask a librarian.
§ You may also use up to three of the Unit 2 sources in addition to at least two sources from your own
research. You are not required to use our class sources for this essay, but you may choose to do so if
you wish to supplement your own research. See the Essay Shortcut link on the Canvas homepage for
a list of Unit 2 sources used for class.
§ Use no more than six sources total (unle
