Choosing a topic for a mythology research paper poses many challenges. It is more difficult to choose the right topic for mythology research than how it is for research papers in other subjects. The reason is that it is a subject which is too vast and somewhat vague in nature. Understanding the guidelines, also, will not be an easy task while you are dealing with an assignment on mythology.
The main challenge of writing a research paper in mythology is the lack of proper evidence. Most of the mythological facts are based on assumptions and imagination. This makes it very difficult to find sources which can be counted reliable for your research. Once you get the guidelines for the project, consider your assignment type. See if you have been asked to just collect information on the topic or if you have been asked to prove your theory on the topic.
Proving a theory would require either solid evidence or strong sources for support. Since solid evidence is impossible or very rare to find, you will mostly be relying on the information provided by your sources to prove your theory. Hence, one important thing to consider while choosing a topic for a mythology research paper is the availability of reliable and credible sources. Without a strong source to support you, it may not be possible to prove your point.
Certain mythological topics would require you to use qualitative research methods to reach your conclusion. This is applicable specifically for mythological studies related to sociology and psychology. This will necessitate the availability of volunteers who can give you relevant information. Most of the time, these volunteers will be scattered around the place where the myth is based on. It can also happen while studying a myth in relation to a geographical or archeological aspect that you need to be physically present at the premises where the research is based. While choosing such topics, make sure that the place where the research topic is related to, easily accessible for you. If the research would require travel, consider if you are prepared for the trouble involved.
Considering the ambiguity of the subject, it is very difficult to say how long it will take to find enough matter to complete your research. This makes it absolutely necessary for you to pick the topic with the deadline in mind. If your assignment has a tight deadline, it is better not to take the chance of picking a difficult topic. If you have very limited time, you might end up jeopardizing your deadline if you choose topics which are totally unfamiliar to you. Since myths can’t be comprehended without knowing the origin and the legends related to it, it is always ideal to choose a topic that you are familiar with.
If you have a familiar topic which fits well into the guidelines and credible sources in hand, you can prepare a very interesting mythology research paper. Mythology is not an easy subject to study nor is a research paper in the subject easy to write. But a suitable topic can take a lot of strain off your research.