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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
Did you know that only about 25% of dissertations get published in peer-review journals in the United States?
Dissertations display a person’s knowledge in their field of study, by applying their knowledge to real life.
If you want to be respected in your field, even before entering it, you need to create a flawless dissertation paper.
Read further to learn the best methods for picking a dissertation topic that’s relevant to your industry and interests!
Think About Your Interests
One of the best tips for picking a dissertation topic is to think about your interests.
Create a list of things you enjoy learning about. When you have an interest in what you’re researching, the writing and research become effortless. Although there are limitations on what your topics should involve, you can still get creative and personal.
During lectures and while reading, put stars near topics you want to learn about. Over weeks of lessons, it can be challenging to remember what you wanted to know more about. Make this process easier in the months leading up to your due date.
Write Down Questions
Are you a curious person that is constantly searching for answers?
Write down some of your unique questions where the answers are up for debate. All theories start with a question and you need to give people a reason to be interested in the solution. To create a successful dissertation paper, you need to answer questions that people want to learn about.
It may take time to find the best question, but you can also use your list to find themes. Look for common themes and base your dissertation on the connected ones!
Follow Your Instincts
If you start writing about a topic and everything feels like a struggle and your gut is turning, you may want to take a break.
Follow your instincts and trust yourself when you feel like your topic isn’t strong enough. Many students make the mistake of going with the original plan even when they know it doesn’t feel right. This can lead to confusion for the reader and create a weak stance.
It’s essential to give yourself time for picking a subject in case you find one that doesn’t work. You don’t want to get 10 pages deep only to discover you shouldn’t have chosen the topic. Pick a dissertation topic you feel confident about and have an interest in researching more.
Can You Gather Data on the Topic?
Dissertations showcase a student’s knowledge and research abilities.
If you want your paper to be successful and original, you should conduct your own research. Find a topic and question that you can gather data on to monitor the effects of your variables. Many people recommend Data analysis for research since it helps identify significant statistics.
When there aren’t statistics to refer to, your dissertation can appear incomplete. While thinking about ideas, write down variables you can measure in the study to save time when you decide on the topic.
Knowing what you record data on will make topic choosing simpler since you’ll know what theories you can support the most.
Consider Several Options
If you spend 5 minutes thinking about a research topic, you should take a step back.
Try to avoid limiting yourself. You should consider several options and spend a few days making a decision. Quickly deciding and investing in a topic can waste time if you discover that you won’t have a strong enough thesis.
Procrastination can be your worst enemy if you wait to work on your dissertation. Get ahead of the game and think about all your options with plenty of time so you don’t feel unprepared. You should feel confident and relaxed come graduation time, not trying to catch up on sleep from waiting too long to find a topic.
Do Quick Research
After you’ve gathered a few topic ideas, spend about 20 minutes each, researching them.
Doing some quick research will help you determine if there is enough content to write about and study. It also helps you prepare for learning the language and trending questions in the industry. Make sure your dissertation is relevant to your field of study, and you may even get it peer-reviewed!
This quick research process can save you time if you discover you aren’t interested in writing about the topic. Skim info at this point, you don’t need to start taking notes until you’ve committed to a research topic.
Be Specific
If you’ve chosen a topic, you need to be specific when writing your theory.
A common mistake students make is picking a topic and discussing it at a basic level. The more specific your theory is, the easier it’ll be to focus your research and stay on topic. Including too much vague info can make your dissertation messy and boring.
That being said, make sure your topic is general enough to write about. If your theory can be answered in a paragraph, you may need to find something else to research.
Don’t Regret Your Dissertation Topic
If you want an engaging and informative dissertation topic, you need to consider your options.
Using your interests and questions from class can help you identify a perfect topic for your paper. When you have an interest in a theory, the project becomes more approachable and you’re less likely to procrastinate. Take time before making a decision and do some light research on each topic.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and ask questions that haven’t been answered before. A new perspective could shed light on the research community and help excel your career.
Make sure you check out our site for more info about how to choose a research topic to stand out in your program!
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
