How to Choose a Dissertation Topic

Do you remember how much fun we had in our classes while studying about the research studies? But the question of how to choose a dissertation topic has left us in the boring sphere inversely to our fun experience in class.

Have you ever wondered why choosing a dissertation topic for our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral studies is so dull? We have researched about those reasons and found out that most of the students are not familiar with the right strategy to follow in the pursuit.

To ease your pain of choosing and writing a dissertation topic, we have outlined the winning 7-step strategy for the students looking for research topics and questions for their academic assignments.

You can also get help from dissertation experts as well if you are short of time and don’t want to miss the deadline.

7 Steps to Follow for Choosing a Dissertation Topic

Make sure to follow the steps outlined below in chronological order to choose the right idea for you to work on.

Step 1. Assess the Course Requirements

If you have just started looking for a topic, you might be wondering how I chose a dissertation topic that could leave a lasting impression on my supervisor and help me score a high academic grade.

It is important to note that each course has specific requirements or terms and conditions that guide students to determine the dissertation topic that best suits their needs. The nature and suitability of your chosen dissertation topic are dependent on the academic course being studied.

Role of Course Requirements in Choosing Topic

You might have wanted to know how to choose a thesis topic for a master’s or how to choose a thesis topic for an undergraduate course but overlooked your course requirements.

It is vitally important to look into your course requirements before narrowing down the topics instead of being caught up in confusion.

Your department’s dissertation writing requirements, in some cases, can be very extended and perplexing, specifying the minimum and maximum word count, outlining the list of possible topics, and identifying the methodological requirements.

On the other hand, the prerequisites might be very limiting and unclear, with only the deadline and word count requirements being specified. No matter the requirements, it is essential to check with the course coordinator if students are unsure about choosing a topic for the dissertation.

ORDER FREE DISSERTATION TOPIC

Step 2. Select an Extensive Field

A prudent practice is to evaluate topics that are interesting for students in their courses. For instance, students can select a familiar topic that guides them during research. It is relatively easy to start research with known topics since you will not have to write from the beginning.

One way to find a topic is to search how to choose a dissertation topic on Google. There is no need to have advanced knowledge about the topic since basic information can guide students to investigate the topic further and narrow it down to something relevant, valuable, and manageable.

Step 3. Search Relevant Academic Literature

This is another important aspect of how to choose a dissertation topic. Students should find reliable and credible books, online dissertation topics databases, and articles to explore possible topics.

Highly rated journals frequently publish articles that introduce readers to new research on any topic. One way of choosing a dissertation topic is to use Google Scholar, which is a good resource for finding relevant journals for any subject.

It includes abstracts of relevant research that can inspire students to select their dissertation topic. Many universities have online libraries that students can access to find information about their specific subjects.

Make Notes While Reading for Picking Ideas

Students might want to know how to choose a dissertation topic in English literature. The above methods can assist them in the research process. While reading different books and articles, students should make notes about ideas that can be used to create a list of possible topics.

Also Read: What is Research Problem in Dissertation?

Step 4: Narrow Topic to Niche

Now that you have already completed the preliminary research, the next step would be to evaluate every topic and scrap the ones that are either too broad or too narrow.

The key to choosing a great dissertation topic is to identify a niche that still needs more research or a topic that is still debatable among researchers. You can investigate contemporary issues that have an impact on humans and society.

An example of a niche topic is “Social media strategies for business organisations”.

Another example would be “Identification of barriers that act as obstacles towards the popularity of sustainable architecture”.

Whatever the specific niche, it is crucial that adequate information on the topic is available because of the need to provide a robust theoretical basis for the dissertation. Develop a research problem statement and research questions to further narrow down the topic.

Delist the Extensive Topics

Identify the time needed to study the academic sources on the topic. If the list of sources is extensive, then it might be necessary to narrow the topic even further. If you are unable to perform primary research, make sure there is adequate information to complete the objectives of your descriptive dissertation.

Step 5. Evaluate the Best Research Approach When Choosing Topic

Select the research method that is most suitable for your dissertation and meets your degree programme. This is an important stage of choosing a dissertation topic, but there is no need to panic.

The two methods of research employed in academic research are known as primary research and secondary research. It is recommended that students evaluate artefacts or examine various theoretical approaches.

For example, if you have chosen a dissertation topic in education, then you might decide to base your dissertation on primary research because it would enable you to address a research problem that is of critical importance to the education industry by filling an obvious gap in knowledge.

Decide Between Primary and Secondary Research Approaches

On the other hand, if you are testing a hypothesis, and you find out that there is sufficient literature already available on the subject, then you could base your dissertation purely on secondary data.

However, dissertations can include one or multiple approaches to research. You should consult with your mentors about the best research method, especially when unsure about how to choose a dissertation topic for a PhD level assignment.

Primary research can be costly and time-consuming, while secondary research is cost-effective and saves time. Selecting the right approach is dependent on the resources and time available to students.

Here are the most notable advantages and disadvantages of primary and secondary research.

Step 6. Demonstrate the Relevance of Topic

Perhaps the most important step is to ensure the topic is relevant to your field of study. Your topic should be academically relevant and aim to fill a gap in existing knowledge or provide new insights into the field.

It should also be socially relevant as the results should promote social change and contribute towards an understanding of society.

Finally, it must be practically relevant by contributing towards problem-solving or improving quality of life. A relevant topic should be interlinked with contemporary subjects, debates, and topics. The research problem can be used to demonstrate the relevance of the topic.

Exemplary Idea for Relevancy

If you are stuck on how to choose a dissertation topic for a master’s course, a master’s dissertation on strategic human resource management could identify the implications of the research for modern firms and their HR practices.

Similarly, if you are doing all this research to choose a doctoral dissertation topic, a doctoral dissertation on a political science topic could assess the implications for policymakers.

Step 7. Submit the Topic to Committee

Once you have selected a topic, and are ready to proceed, submit the topic with a brief description to the program supervisor or coordinator. Once approved, a dissertation research proposal will be needed as the next step.

If your supervisor doesn’t approve your chosen topic, there is still no need to panic. You can follow the same steps on how to choose a dissertation topic and send them more suggestions.

Each of the steps described in this article is part of a gradual and systematic process that will assist students in how to choose a dissertation topic. It is important to use planning and preparation because the result of your dissertation project, to some extent, will depend on your chosen topic.

Tips on Choosing the Right Research Topic for Your Dissertation

You should make yourself aware of the valuable tips on choosing the right research topic for your dissertation to place the arrow at the right point. Topics can be diverse and of relative interest to students associated with different fields of study.

You must pick the topic that is of interest to you and really needs to be researched for conducting an impact-making research study. Here is a list of tips that you should consider while making the deciding move in your academic career.

• Relevancy with Your Subject: Selecting the relevant topic to your field of study is the most important step in the writing process.
• Filling a Research Gap: Always shortlist a topic that is filling any research gap like population, knowledge, empirical, evidence, and so on.
• Consider Your Expertise: Don’t pick any idea that is not compatible with your expertise. Always select a topic within your research background boundaries to craft the perfect piece.
• Take Your Time: Spend as much time as you want to narrow down a topic on which not so many resources or studies are available to really contribute something valuable to the world of research.
• Consult Experts: If you are still confused, which topic is suitable for you or which is not. You should consult dissertation experts to finalise the topic.

For further explanation, you can read our detailed blog on tips to choose the correct topic for your dissertation.

Examples of Dissertation Topics for Different Disciplines

You can use the below topics as inspiration for your academic essays or dissertations to conduct a study on something valuable for a larger pool of audience. Make sure to modify the topic title according to your requirements or preferences for an easy workflow.

Research Topic Ideas in Nursing Studies

You can consider the following titles when choosing a dissertation topic in nursing for your future studies.

Topic 1: How the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) can improve nursing practices across the globe?

Topic 2: Why nurses should be taught stress management while dealing with patients?

Topic 3: Role of nurses in managing the emergency departments of hospitals in case of calamities

Research Topic Ideas in Psychological Studies

Choosing a topic in psychology nowadays is an easy task for students because the people are more open about their mental health.

Topic 4: Role of cognitive biases on decision making of humans

Topic 5: How early investigation of disease can prevent the severity of illness for psychology patients?

Topic 6: Is family therapy a good way to maintain the mental health of all members? Does it lead towards unresponsiveness from the participants while being present with others?

Dissertation Topics Ideas for Law Students

Three dissertation topics are mentioned below as inspiration ideas to help you in choosing a dissertation topic for law studies.

Topic 7: Would implementing environmental law in every country be an effective approach to reduce environmental pollution, or do we need other measures to follow?

Topic 8: What privileges does the law provide you in case of discriminatory behaviour based on race, religion, or sex at your workplace?

Topic 9: Is there any loophole available in international criminal law that criminals can use to exploit the lives of innocent people?

Dissertation Ideas for Economics Students

Economics is a broad subject attached to several aspects of human lives that’s why choosing a dissertation topic in economics should not be a big deal for students.

However, below are some ideas presented to give you inspiration only. If you want to use them, make sure to mould them according to your research objectives.

Topic 10: Role of big corporations in exploiting third-world economies like Ghana, Bosnia, Mexico, and so on.

Topic 11: What role does artificial intelligence play in cutting down labour resources, resulting in increased unemployment?

Topic 12: Is technological advancement bringing death to the traditional economic system?

Research Topics for the Students of History

Human history is rich in incidents worthwhile to discuss or uncover in today’s world of technological advancement. Choosing a dissertation topic in history would be a healthy activity because of its relativeness with humans of today and tomorrow.

Topic 13: What were the reasons behind the French Revolution? Are we heading again towards the same reasons now?

Topic 14: Do the ancient scientific advancements provide a base step for today’s technological advancements?

Topic 15: How has the governing system shifted from utilitarianism to democracy? What causes that shift apart from the Treaty of Westphalia

Frequently Asked Questions