How to Choose a Dissertation Topic

Selecting the right dissertation topic is a critical first step in your graduate research journey. Your topic will guide your literature review, shape your methodology, and ultimately determine the significance and impact of your work. Here’s an 8-step process to help you choose a dissertation topic that is both meaningful and feasible.

Step 1: Check the requirements

The first step in selecting your dissertation topic is to thoroughly review the specific requirements of your graduate program. Understanding these guidelines will determine the scope and parameters of what you can realistically research.

Key considerations at this stage include:

• Is there a minimum or maximum word count for the dissertation?
• When is the final submission deadline?
• Should the research have an academic or professional orientation?
• Are there any methodological conditions, such as fieldwork requirements or using particular data sources?

The degree of flexibility can vary significantly across different programs. Some may provide a relatively open-ended framework, while others impose stricter limitations on the topic and approach.

Consult your academic supervisor or department coordinator directly if you are ever uncertain about expectations. Clarifying these initial requirements will help ensure your proposed topic aligns with the guidelines for your degree.

Step 2: Choose a broad field of research

The next step is to identify a general area or academic discipline you are genuinely passionate about and interested in exploring further. Consider your existing knowledge, previous research experience, and long-term academic or professional goals.

Some examples of broad fields that could serve as a starting point include:

• Modern literature
• Economic history
• Health policy
• Educational technology
• Organizational behavior
• Environmental science

Selecting a broad field that aligns with your personal academic interests will provide a solid foundation for refining your dissertation topic. This broader area of study will then allow you to delve deeper and identify a more focused, niche topic that you can meaningfully contribute to.

Step 3: Look for books and articles

Conduct a preliminary literature review to better understand the current research landscape in your chosen broad field. Skim through recent issues of the top academic journals in your discipline, paying close attention to the most frequently cited articles. 

You can also utilize resources like Google Scholar, subject-specific databases, and your university library to uncover relevant books, book chapters, and other scholarly publications. As you read, note any specific ideas, themes, or gaps that pique your interest and could be a starting point for your dissertation topic.

Consider building upon any previous research you may have undertaken, such as a conference paper or a seminar project. Exploring how those existing topics could be expanded into a comprehensive dissertation can be a productive avenue.

The goal at this stage is to develop a solid grasp of the current state of knowledge in your broad field of interest. This will inform the next steps in identifying a focused, novel topic you can meaningfully contribute to through your dissertation research.

Step 4: Find a niche

After conducting your initial literature review, it’s time to start narrowing down your potential dissertation topic. This is an iterative process that should become increasingly specific as you progress.

For example, starting from these broad fields:

• Twentieth-century literature, Twentieth-century Irish literature, Post-war Irish poetry
• Economic history, European economic history, German labor union history 
• Health policy, Reproductive health policy, Reproductive rights in South America

The key is identifying a niche where you can make a meaningful contribution. This could be an understudied area, an unresolved debate, or a pressing practical issue in your discipline.

Tip: While you want to find a focused topic, be cautious about selecting an area that has already been thoroughly researched and has a strong consensus. In such cases, it may be difficult to justify the relevance and originality of your work. Conversely, ensure there is sufficient existing literature to provide a solid foundation for your own research.

It’s advisable to have a few backup topic ideas at this stage. This allows you to shift focus if your primary topic doesn’t successfully navigate the subsequent evaluation steps. You’ll have the opportunity to refine your problem statement and research questions later.

The goal is to land on a niche topic that allows you to make a novel and impactful scholarly contribution within your broader field of study.

Step 5: Consider the type of research

When narrowing down your dissertation topic, it’s important to consider the type of research approach you will take. This will influence the scope of your investigation and the specific aspects of the topic you can effectively address.

Key considerations include:

• Will your research primarily involve collecting original data (e.g., experimental, field, or survey)?
• Will you focus on analyzing existing datasets (e.g., national statistics, public records, or archived materials)?
• Will your approach emphasize the interpretation of cultural artifacts (e.g., literary works, films, or artworks)?
• Will you compare scholarly perspectives (e.g., theories, methodologies, or interpretations)?

Many dissertations will incorporate a combination of these research approaches. For example, if your topic is related to postwar Irish poetry, you will likely concentrate on interpreting and analyzing literary works. However, if your topic is reproductive rights in South America, you could explore policy documents and media coverage in addition to gathering original interview or survey data.

While you don’t need to finalize your research design and methods at this stage, it’s wise to consider the type of research most suitable for your topic. This will help ensure your investigation’s feasibility within your graduate program’s constraints.

Tip: Collecting original data can be time-consuming. If you have limited time to devote to your dissertation, it may be prudent to focus your research on analyzing existing primary and secondary sources.

Step 6: Determine the relevance

It’s crucial that your dissertation topic aligns with your personal academic interests and demonstrates clear relevance and significance within the broader scholarly or practical landscape.

Consider the following three dimensions of relevance:

Academic Relevance

This means your research has the potential to address a knowledge gap, challenge existing theories, or contribute to an ongoing scholarly debate within your field of study.

Social Relevance

This means your work can advance our understanding of societal issues and inform potential social change or policy reforms.

Practical Relevance

This signifies that your research can be applied to solve tangible real-world problems or improve existing processes and practices.

The most compelling dissertation topics will strongly connect to current academic, social, or practical concerns. Be prepared to clearly articulate the relevance of your proposed research when defining your problem statement and objectives.

Selecting a topic grounded in meaningful, real-world significance will strengthen your doctoral work’s overall impact and justification.

Step 7: Make sure it’s plausible

Before finalizing your dissertation topic, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate its feasibility in terms of scope, timeline, and practical considerations.

Consider the following key questions:

• Will you have sufficient time to thoroughly review all the essential academic literature on this topic within the given timeframe? If the volume of information is overwhelming, you may need to narrow your focus further.

• Will you be able to access enough reliable sources or gather the necessary data to meet the requirements of the dissertation? If you anticipate challenges in obtaining relevant information, you may need to broaden or shift the focus of your topic.

• Do you need to travel to a specific location to gather data for your research? Make sure you have the necessary funding and practical access to do so.

• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, will this topic sustain your interest and motivation throughout the research and writing process? Selecting a subject you are genuinely passionate about is essential to persevere through the challenges of a multi-year dissertation.

Thoroughly assessing the practical feasibility of your proposed topic will help ensure that it is manageable within the constraints of your graduate program. Adjusting the scope or focus at this stage can save you significant time and effort in the long run.

Step 8: Get your topic approved

The final step in the dissertation topic selection process is formally presenting and obtaining approval for your proposed research.

Most graduate programs will require you to submit a brief written description of your topic, often referred to as a research prospectus or proposal. This document outlines the key elements of your planned investigation, including the research question, methodology, and anticipated significance.

It’s important to note that if your initial topic is not as strong as you had hoped, making adjustments or switching focus early in the dissertation process is generally acceptable. However, be sure to have enough time to start anew, and always consult with your academic supervisor or department before making any major changes.

Note: While generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be useful for brainstorming potential dissertation topics and outlining your research, we strongly advise against attempting to pass off any AI-generated text as your own original work. This could constitute academic dishonesty and may be detected by plagiarism detection software.

Securing formal approval for your dissertation topic from your graduate program is a crucial milestone. This ensures your proposed research is feasible, relevant, and aligned with the expectations of your degree. Following this structured approach, you can develop a topic that sets you up for a successful and impactful doctoral study.