Choosing the right topic for doctoral research is important. The choice will be with the student for a relatively long period of time and will, in many ways, shape their life. Choosing also the right topic can make the difference between success and failure. Be it a ‘big book’ PhD or a professional doctorate, this is a key element, thus the student needs to identify a research problem, design a study that will address the problem in an appropriate manner, and then carry out the research. They then have to write up their research and, generally, either make an original contribution to knowledge or, at some institutions, demonstrate evidence of originality in thinking. Eventually, they will be examined on it. Wherever the general idea for the doctoral research came from, the actual topic to be investigated must have certain characteristics.
- The first key characteristic of the research topic is that it must interest the author(i.e., the student), otherwise they will not do good PhD dissertations and the postgraduate’s experience will be unpleasant and very nearly unbearable. The student must be extremely interested in it and must want to know everything there is to know about it. Without that high level of interest the likelihood of ‘non-completion’ is high.
- Secondly, the topic must be focused. Do not attempt to try to solve all the problems of the world in a doctoral dissertation/thesis. The primary purpose of a piece of doctoral research is to get a doctorate or PhD so the topic should be narrowed down. Most of all, it must be focused on the research of some new and burning problem in order to make a significant contribution into the science.
- Thirdly, the research must be something that the student can complete using resources which are available to her or him. E.g., consider matters like travel limitations or limited financial support.
- Fourthly, the research design must be one for which the student either has the methodological tools in hand to undertake, or which uses methodological tools which they can acquire before the project is to commence. E.g., do not develop a research design which requires a high level of statistical analysis if you are intellectually not suited to it.
- Finally, the project must be capable of completion in the time available and the time given.
By understanding the topic’s main intention and focusing on a specific question or problem helps keep the dissertation research well-organized. The other important purpose of the PhD dissertation topic is to grab and keep the interest of the audience. As a research student choosing a Doctoral topic, first decide on a particular field that you are going to write your thesis in. Then think of a very specific problem or an aspect within this field that you want to disclose in your work. This means narrowing down the topic, but also making it interesting for you. Try choosing a ‘questioning topic’ as it builds up your interest and that of the audience also. A PhD dissertation topic should be neither wide nor narrow. Let the topic cover some particular point of science, and keep the dissertation research within the bounds of the PhD dissertation topic. Quick tips to remember while choosing a PhD dissertation topic:
•it should be fresh and original
• it should correspond to your professional and personal interests;
•it should present some interest for you, your adviser and research committee;
•it should be sufficiently grounded and have certain theoretical basis;
•it should be worth exploring;
With a thoroughly considered PhD theses topic the student will get pleasure from their work which is sure to gladden them with the results expected.
Next topic: ‘Overcoming the Challenges of doing a PhD’.
Margaret E.
