Grad Coach

How To Find A High-Quality Research Topic

6 steps to find & evaluate high-quality dissertation/thesis topics.

By: Caroline Osella (PhD, BA)  and Derek Jansen (MBA) | July 2019

So, you’re finally nearing the end of your degree and it’s now time to find a suitable topic for your dissertation or thesis. Or perhaps you’re just starting out on your PhD research proposal and need to find a suitable area of research for your application proposal.

In this post, we’ll provide a straightforward 6-step process that you can follow to ensure you arrive at a high-quality research topic . Follow these steps and you will formulate a well-suited, well-defined core research question .

There’s a helpful clue already: your research ‘topic’ is best understood as a research question or a problem . Your aim is not to create an encyclopedia entry into your field, but rather to shed light on an acknowledged issue that’s being debated (or needs to be). Think research  questions , not research  topics  (we’ll come back to this later).

Overview: How To Find & Choose A Research Topic

  • Get an understanding of the research process
  • Review previous dissertations from your university
  • Review the academic literature to start the ideation process
  • Identify your potential research questions (topics) and shortlist
  • Narrow down, then evaluate your research topic shortlist
  • Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Step 1: Understand the research process

It may sound horribly obvious, but it’s an extremely common mistake – students skip past the fundamentals straight to the ideation phase (and then pay dearly for it).

Start by looking at whatever handouts and instructions you’ve been given regarding what your university/department expects of a dissertation. For example, the course handbook, online information and verbal in-class instructions. I know it’s tempting to just dive into the ideation process, but it’s essential to start with the prescribed material first.

There are two important reasons for this:

First , you need to have a basic understanding of the research process , research methodologies , fieldwork options and analysis methods before you start the ideation process, or you will simply not be equipped to think about your own research adequately. If you don’t understand the basics of  quantitative , qualitative and mixed methods BEFORE you start ideating, you’re wasting your time.

Second , your university/department will have specific requirements for your research – for example, requirements in terms of topic originality, word count, data requirements, ethical adherence, methodology, etc. If you are not aware of these from the outset, you will again end up wasting a lot of time on irrelevant ideas/topics.

So, the most important first step is to get your head around both the basics of research (especially methodologies), as well as your institution’s specific requirements . Don’t give in to the temptation to jump ahead before you do this. As a starting point, be sure to check out our free dissertation course.

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Step 2: Review past dissertations/theses

Unless you’re undertaking a completely new course, there will be many, many students who have gone through the research process before and have produced successful dissertations, which you can use to orient yourself. This is hugely beneficial – imagine being able to see previous students’ assignments and essays when you were doing your coursework!

Take a look at some well-graded (65% and above) past dissertations from your course (ideally more recent ones, as university requirements may change over time). These are usually available in the university’s online library. Past dissertations will act as a helpful model for all kinds of things, from how long a bibliography needs to be, to what a good literature review looks like, through to what kinds of methods you can use – and how to leverage them to support your argument.

As you peruse past dissertations, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What kinds of topics did these dissertations cover and how did they turn the topic into questions?
  • How broad or narrow were the topics?
  • How original were the topics? Were they truly groundbreaking or just a localised twist on well-established theory?
  • How well justified were the topics? Did they seem important or just nice to know?
  • How much literature did they draw on as a theoretical base? Was the literature more academic or applied in nature?
  • What kinds of research methods did they use and what data did they draw on?
  • How did they analyse that data and bring it into the discussion of the academic literature?
  • Which of the dissertations are most readable to you – why? How were they presented?
  • Can you see why these dissertations were successful? Can you relate what they’ve done back to the university’s instructions/brief?

Dissertations stacked up

Seeing a variety of dissertations (at least 5, ideally in your area of interest) will also help you understand whether your university has very rigid expectations in terms of structure and format , or whether they expect and allow variety in the number of chapters, chapter headings, order of content, style of presentation and so on.

Some departments accept graphic novels; some are willing to grade free-flow continental-philosophy style arguments; some want a highly rigid, standardised structure.  Many offer a dissertation template , with information on how marks are split between sections. Check right away whether you have been given one of those templates – and if you do, then use it and don’t try to deviate or reinvent the wheel.

Step 3: Review the academic literature

Now that you (1) understand the research process, (2) understand your university’s specific requirements for your dissertation or thesis, and (3) have a feel for what a good dissertation looks like, you can start the ideation process. This is done by reviewing the current literature and looking for opportunities to add something original to the academic conversation.

Kick start the ideation process

So, where should you start your literature hunt? The best starting point is to get back to your modules. Look at your coursework and the assignments you did. Using your coursework is the best theoretical base, as you are assured that (1) the literature is of a high enough calibre for your university and (2) the topics are relevant to your specific course.

Start by identifying the modules that interested you the most and that you understood well (i.e. earned good marks for). What were your strongest assignments, essays or reports? Which areas within these were particularly interesting to you? For example, within a marketing module, you may have found consumer decision making or organisation trust to be interesting. Create a shortlist of those areas that you were both interested in and academically strong at. It’s no use picking an area that does not genuinely interest you – you’ll run out of motivation if you’re not excited by a topic.

Understand the current state of knowledge

Once you’ve done that, you need to get an understanding of the current state of the literature for your chosen interest areas. What you’re aiming to understand is this: what is the academic conversation here and what critical questions are yet unanswered? These unanswered questions are prime opportunities for a unique, meaningful research topic . A quick review of the literature on your favourite topics will help you understand this.

Grab your reading list from the relevant section of the modules, or simply enter the topics into Google Scholar . Skim-read 3-5 journal articles from the past 5 years which have at least 5 citations each (Google Scholar or a citations index will show you how many citations any given article has – i.e., how many other people have referred to it in their own bibliography). Also, check to see if your discipline has an ‘annual review’ type of journal, which gathers together surveys of the state of knowledge on a chosen topic. This can be a great tool for fast-tracking your understanding of the current state of the knowledge in any given area.

Start from your course’s reading list and work outwards. At the end of every journal article, you’ll find a reference list. Scan this reference list for more relevant articles and read those. Then repeat the process (known as snowballing) until you’ve built up a base of 20-30 quality articles per area of interest.

Reference list

Absorb, don’t hunt

At this stage, your objective is to read and understand the current state of the theory for your area(s) of interest – you don’t need to be in topic-hunting mode yet. Don’t jump the gun and try to identify research topics before you are well familiarised with the literature.

As you read, try to understand what kinds of questions people are asking and how they are trying to answer them. What matters do the researchers agree on, and more importantly, what are they in disagreement about? Disagreements are prime research territory. Can you identify different ‘schools of thought’ or different ‘approaches’? Do you know what your own approach or slant is? What kinds of articles appeal to you and which ones bore you or leave you feeling like you’ve not really grasped them? Which ones interest you and point towards directions you’d like to research and know more about?

Once you understand the fundamental fact that academic knowledge is a conversation, things get easier.

Think of it like a party. There are groups of people in the room, enjoying conversations about various things. Which group do you want to join?  You don’t want to be that person in the corner, talking to themself. And you don’t want to be the hanger-on, laughing at the big-shot’s jokes and repeating everything they say.

Do you want to join a large group and try to make a small contribution to what’s going on, or are you drawn to a smaller group that’s having a more niche conversation, but where you feel you might more easily find something original to contribute? How many conversations can you identify? Which ones feel closer to you and more attractive? Which ones repel you or leave you cold? Are there some that, frankly, you just don’t understand?

Now, choose a couple of groups who are discussing something you feel interested in and where you feel like you might want to contribute. You want to make your entry into this group by asking a question – a question that will make the other people in the group turn around and look at you, listen to you, and think, “That’s interesting”.

Your dissertation will be the process of setting that question and then trying to find at least a partial answer to that question – but don’t worry about that now.  Right now, you need to work out what conversations are going on, whether any of them are related or overlapping, and which ones you might be able to walk into. I’ll explain how you find that question in the next step.

Need a helping hand?

dissertation topics choosing

Step 4: Identify potential research questions

Now that you have a decent understanding of the state of the literature in your area(s) of interest, it’s time to start developing your list of possible research topics. There are (at least) three approaches you can follow here, and they are not mutually exclusive:

Approach 1: Leverage the FRIN

Towards the end of most quality journal articles, you will find a section labelled “ further research ” or something similar. Generally, researchers will clearly outline where they feel further research is needed (FRIN), following on from their own research. So, essentially, every journal article presents you with a list of potential research opportunities.

Of course, only a handful of these will be both practical and of interest to you, so it’s not a quick-fix solution to finding a research topic. However, the benefit of going this route is that you will be able to find a genuinely original and meaningful research topic (which is particularly important for PhD-level research).

The upside to this approach is originality, but the downside is that you might not find something that really interests you , or that you have the means to execute. If you do go this route, make sure that you pay attention to the journal article dates, as the FRIN may already have been “solved” by other researchers if the article is old.

Use the FRIN for dissertation topics ideas

Approach 2: Put a context-based spin on an existing topic

The second option is to consider whether a theory which is already well established is relevant within a local or industry-specific context. For example, a theory about the antecedents (drivers) of trust is very well established, but there may be unique or uniquely important drivers within a specific national context or industry (for example, within the financial services industry in an emerging market).

If that industry or national context has not yet been covered by researchers and there is a good reason to believe there may be meaningful differences within that context, then you have an opportunity to take a unique angle on well-established theory, which can make for a great piece of research. It is however imperative that you have a good reason to believe that the existing theory may not be wholly relevant within your chosen context, or your research will not be justified.

The upside to this approach is that you can potentially find a topic that is “closer to home” and more relevant and interesting to you , while still being able to draw on a well-established body of theory. However, the downside is that this approach will likely not produce the level of originality as approach #1.

Approach 3: Uncensored brainstorming

The third option is to skip the FRIN, as well as the local/industry-specific angle and simply engage in a freeform brainstorming or mind-mapping session, using your newfound knowledge of the theory to formulate potential research ideas. What’s important here is that you do not censor yourself . However crazy, unfeasible, or plain stupid your topic appears – write it down. All that matters right now is that you are interested in this thing.

Next, try to turn the topic(s) into a question or problem. For example:

  • What is the relationship between X, Y & Z?
  • What are the drivers/antecedents of X?
  • What are the outcomes of Y?
  • What are the key success factors for Z?

Re-word your list of topics or issues into a list of questions .  You might find at this stage that one research topic throws up three questions (which then become sub-topics and even new separate topics in their own right) and in so doing, the list grows. Let it. Don’t hold back or try to start evaluating your ideas yet – just let them flow onto paper.

Once you’ve got a few topics and questions on paper, check the literature again to see whether any of these have been covered by the existing research. Since you came up with these from scratch, there is a possibility that your original literature search did not cover them, so it’s important to revisit that phase to ensure that you’re familiar with the relevant literature for each idea. You may also then find that approach #1 and #2 can be used to build on these ideas.

Try use all three approaches

As mentioned earlier, the three approaches discussed here are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the more, the merrier. Hopefully, you manage to utilise all three, as this will give you the best odds of producing a rich list of ideas, which you can then narrow down and evaluate, which is the next step.

Mix different approaches to find a topic

Step 5: Narrow down, then evaluate

By this stage, you should have a healthy list of research topics. Step away from the ideation and thinking for a few days, clear your mind. The key is to get some distance from your ideas, so that you can sit down with your list and review it with a more objective view. The unbridled ideation phase is over and now it’s time to take a reality check .

Look at your list and see if any options can be crossed off right away .  Maybe you don’t want to do that topic anymore. Maybe the topic turned out to be too broad and threw up 20 hard to answer questions. Maybe all the literature you found about it was 30 years old and you suspect it might not be a very engaging contemporary issue . Maybe this topic is so over-researched that you’ll struggle to find anything fresh to say. Also, after stepping back, it’s quite common to notice that 2 or 3 of your topics are really the same one, the same question, which you’ve written down in slightly different ways. You can try to amalgamate these into one succinct topic.

Narrow down to the top 5, then evaluate

Now, take your streamlined list and narrow it down to the ‘top 5’ that interest you the most. Personal interest is your key evaluation criterion at this stage. Got your ‘top 5’?  Great!  Now, with a cool head and your best analytical mind engaged, go systematically through each option and evaluate them against the following criteria:

Research questions – what is the main research question, and what are the supporting sub-questions? It’s critically important that you can define these questions clearly and concisely. If you cannot do this, it means you haven’t thought the topic through sufficiently.

Originality – is the topic sufficiently original, as per your university’s originality requirements? Are you able to add something unique to the existing conversation? As mentioned earlier, originality can come in many forms, and it doesn’t mean that you need to find a completely new, cutting-edge topic. However, your university’s requirements should guide your decision-making here.

Importance – is the topic of real significance, or is it just a “nice to know”? If it’s significant, why? Who will benefit from finding the answer to your desired questions and how will they benefit? Justifying your research will be a key requirement for your research proposal , so it’s really important to develop a convincing argument here.

Literature – is there a contemporary (current) body of academic literature around this issue? Is there enough literature for you to base your investigation on, but not too much that the topic is “overdone”? Will you be able to navigate this literature or is it overwhelming?

Data requirements – What kind of data would you need access to in order to answer your key questions?  Would you need to adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approach to answer your questions? At this stage, you don’t need to be able to map out your exact research design, but you should be able to articulate how you would approach it in high-level terms. Will you use qual, quant or mixed methods? Why?

Feasibility – How feasible would it be to gather the data that would be needed in the time-frame that you have – and do you have the will power and the skills to do it? If you’re not confident with the theory, you don’t want something that’s going to draw you into a debate about the relative importance of epistemology and ontology. If you are shy, you won’t want to be doing ethnographic interviews. If you feel this question calls for a 100-person survey, do you have the time to plan, organise and conduct it and then analyse it? What will you do if you don’t get the response rate you expect? Be very realistic here and also ask advice from your supervisor and other experts – poor response rates are extremely common and can derail even the best research projects.

Personal attraction – On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about this topic? Will addressing it add value to your life and/or career? Will undertaking the project help you build a skill you’ve previously wanted to work on (for example, interview skills, statistical analysis skills, software skills, etc.)?

The last point is particularly important. You will have to engage with your dissertation in a very sustained and deep way, face challenges and difficulties, and get it to completion. If you don’t start out enthusiastic about it, you’re setting yourself up for problems like ‘writer’s block’ or ‘burnout’ down the line. This is the reason personal interest was the sole evaluation criterion when we chose the top 5. So, don’t underestimate the importance of personal attraction to a topic – at the same time, don’t let personal attraction lead you to choose a topic that is not relevant to your course or feasible given your resources. 

A strong research topic must tick all three boxes – original, relevant and feasible. If not, you're going to run into problems sooner or later.

Narrow down to 3, then get human feedback

We’re almost at the finishing line. The next step is to narrow down to 2 or 3 shortlisted topics. No more!  Write a short paragraph about each topic, addressing the following:

Firstly,  WHAT will this study be about? Frame the topic as a question or a problem. Write it as a dissertation title. No more than two clauses and no more than 15 words. Less than 15 is better (go back to good journal articles for inspiration on appropriate title styles).

Secondly, WHY this is interesting (original) and important – as proven by existing academic literature? Are people talking about this and is there an acknowledged problem, debate or gap in the literature?

Lastly,  HOW do you plan to answer the question? What sub-questions will you use? What methods does this call for and how competent and confident are you in those methods? Do you have the time to gather the data this calls for?

Show the shortlist and accompanying paragraphs to a couple of your peers from your course and also to an expert or two if at all possible (you’re welcome to reach out to us ), explaining what you will investigate, why this is original and important and how you will go about investigating it. 

Once you’ve pitched your ideas, ask for the following thoughts :

  • Which is most interesting and appealing to them?
  • Why do they feel this way?
  • What problems do they foresee with the execution of the research?

Take advice and feedback and sit on it for another day. Let it simmer in your mind overnight before you make the final decision.  

Step 6: Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Then, make the commitment. Choose the one that you feel most confident about, having now considered both your opinion and the feedback from others.

Once you’ve made a decision, don’t doubt your judgement, don’t shift.  Don’t be tempted by the ones you left behind. You’ve planned and thought things through, checked feasibility and now you can start.  You have your research topic. Trust your own decision-making process and stick with it now. It’s time to get started on your research proposal!

Let’s recap…

In this post, I’ve proposed a straightforward 6-step plan to finding relevant research topic ideas and then narrowing them down to finally choose one winner. To recap:

  • Understand the basics of academic research, as well as your university’s specific requirements for a dissertation, thesis or research project.
  • Review previous dissertations for your course to get an idea of both topics and structure.
  • Start the ideation process by familiarising yourself with the literature.
  • Identify your potential research questions (topics).
  • Narrow down your options, then evaluate systematically.
  • Make your decision (and don’t look back!)

If you follow these steps, you’ll find that they also set you up for what’s coming next – both the proposal and the first three chapters of your dissertation. But that’s for future posts!

dissertation topics choosing

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

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22 Comments

Opio Joshua

I would love to get a topic under teachers performance. I am a student of MSC Monitoring and Evaluations and I need a topic in the line of monitoring and evaluations

Kafeero Martin

I just we put for some full notes that are payable

NWUNAPAFOR ALOTA LESLIE

Thank you very much Dr Caroline

oyewale

I need a project topics on transfer of learning

Fran Mothula

m a PhD Student I would like to be assisted inn formulating a title around: Internet of Things for online education in higher education – STEM (Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics, digital divide ) Thank you, would appreciate your guidance

Akintunde Raheem

Well structured guide on the topic… Good materials for beginners in research writing…

LUGOLOOBI EDRINE

Hello Iam kindly seeking for help in formulating a researchable topic for masters degree program in line with teaching GRAPHIC ART

Jea Alys Campbell

I read a thesis about a problem in a particular. Can I use the same topic just referring to my own country? Is that being original? The interview questions will mostly be the same as the other thesis.

Saneta

Hi, thanks I managed to listen to the video so helpful indeed. I am currently an MBA student looking for a specific topic and I have different ideas that not sure they can be turned to be a study.

Letkaija Chongloi

I am doing a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counselling and I felt like doing research on Spiritual problem cause by substance abuse among Youth. Can I get help to formulate the Thesis Title in line with it…please

Razaq Abiodun

Hello, I am kindly seeking help in formulating a researchable topic for a National diploma program

kenani Mphakati

As a beginner in research, I am very grateful for this well-structured material on research writing.

GENEFEFA

Hello, I watched the video and its very helpful. I’m a student in Nursing (degree). May you please help me with any research problems (in Namibian society or Nursing) that need to be evaluate or solved?

Okwuchukwu

I have been greatly impacted. Thank you.

ZAID AL-ZUBAIDI

more than useful… there will be no justification if someone fails to get a topic for his thesis

Annv

I watched the video and its really helpful.

Anjali kashyap

How can i started discovery

Zimbabwe Mathiya Ndlovu

Analysing the significance of Integrated reporting in Zimbabwe. A case of institutional investors. this is my topic for PHD Accounting sciences need help with research questions

Rohit Bhowmick

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts.

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts

Izhar Ul haq

Wow, This helped a lot not only with how to find a research topic but inspired me to kick it off from now, I am a final year student of environmental science. And have to complete my project in the coming six months.

I was really stressed and thinking about different topics that I don’t know nothing about and having more than a hundred topics in the baggage, couldn’t make the tradeoff among them, however, reading this scrubbed the fuzzy layer off my head and now it seems like really easy.

Thanks GRADCOACH, you saved me from getting into the rabbit hole.

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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic – 9 Steps

Choosing a dissertation topic is really difficult.

When I had to choose dissertation topic I agonized for weeks.

And I’ve supervised over 50 students’ dissertations across undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. All of my students agonized over their topics, too.

So you’re not alone in your struggle.

The below tips for choosing a dissertation topic are the ones I wish I was given when I was in the process of looking for a suitable topic.

If only I’d known these points, I would have saved a lot of time and stress for myself. So if these tips only help one person out, I’ll be happy.

These tips really work for just about anybody. They’re particularly useful for undergraduate and Masters level students who are writing dissertations. But, I’m sure most doctoral students will also find these points relevant, too. Especially tips 1 – 3.

Here are my tips on how to choose a dissertation topic – I hope they come in handy, and good luck on your research journey!

Read Also: 25 Sociology Dissertation Ideas

1. It Doesn’t have to be Unique (Yet).

This is the one piece of advice I wish I had gotten when I was choosing my dissertation topic.

Many students feel like they need to find a unique topic that will blow their markers away.

I was this student.

I thought that I had to choose a topic and idea that was going to make a unique contribution to knowledge. I thought I had to discover something, or, at the very least, choose a topic that no one has ever done before.

So here’s what I wish someone had told me:

It doesn’t matter if other people have done the same topic as you.

Don’t even let it phase you for a moment if someone else has chosen your topic. Just choose whatever topic you want.

Well, because your unique contribution doesn’t come at the start. It comes at the end!

You’ll find a way to make a unique contribution after you have completed your literature review . There is always time and space to find a new angle or different way of doing the topic than other people.

So, don’t choose your topic because it’s unique or different.

Then … how should you choose your topic? Points 2 and 3 give you some tips…

2. Make it Relevant to your Career Goals.

The first thing I recommend to all my students is to consider how their topic can help progress their careers.

When giving guidance to my students, I ask them these three questions:

  • a) What sort of specialization do you want in your career? If you’re studying teaching, your questions might be: do you want to be a specialized literacy teacher? do you want to be an expert on behavior management? Do you want to be specialized in play-based learning ?
  • b) How do you want to differentiate yourself from your competition? Your dissertation topic is going to be the topic you ‘sell’ as your area of expertise in future job interviews. If you want to get a great job, choose a topic that really stands out in the marketplace. Have a think right now for yourself: what areas of your industry are booming? For example, would it be better to specialize in coal or solar panels? Which one would be best to talk about in a job interview in the 21 st Century?
  • c) Do you want to be a research pro? Most of my students don’t want to be researchers as a career. They do their dissertations to prove mastery of their topic – that’s all. The research is a means to an end. But, if you think you want to go on to do the next level degree (a PhD one day?) then you’ll want to focus on having a high quality methodology, not just an interesting topic.

So, have a think now: is there a topic that will help you get to where you plan on going? What expert knowledge do you want to be able to ‘sell’ in a future interview?

3. Ensure it’s Interesting to You.

You’re going to be wedded to your chosen for a long time. And by the end of this journey you’re going to hate it.

To make your life easier, choose a topic you’re interested in.

Here’s two ways of approaching this:

Choose a Topic you Think About a Lot.

Choose a dissertation topic that you find yourself talking about, complaining about or raving about to your parents. Choose something that makes you angry, inspired or intrigued.

For the next week or so, I recommend taking notes whenever you find yourself thinking idly about something. Is that something you’ve thought about a lot?

Or, Choose a Topic by Looking over Past Assessment Tasks.

Another way of approaching the search for an interesting topic is to look over past assignments.

What assessment task have you done in the past few years that gripped you? Which one did you enjoy the most when you were studying it?

Zoom in on that topic and see if you can turn it into a dissertation.

Bonus tip: If you found a topic that was based on a previous assessment task, see if you can convince the person who taught that subject to be your dissertation supervisor.

4. Keep it Simple.

Too often, students want to choose a topic that is complex and complicated. They come up with a long, detailed research question (usually with the help of their professor) that, really, is hard to understand!

The best strategy is to come up with a topic that is really, really straightforward. At least, the topic should start as simple and straightforward.

Your topic is going to grow and expand into a monster. It’ll be hard to tame and control. You’ll be following random tangents down rabbit holes that end up being dead-ends. You’ll research aspects of the topic and realize it was a completely pointless exercise.

The way to minimize the crazy growth of your research project is to simplify it right from the start. Make it a really simple idea.

For example, I had a student who wanted to research:

“How big is the gap in mathematics outcomes between children from middle-class and working-class backgrounds by age 16?”

I would think that this topic may be achievable by a top academic with a sizeable research grant, but my student was completing a 10,000 word dissertation for graduating her Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

After several agonizing research meetings, we peeled it back over and again until we ended up with something much simpler and more specific:

“What are teachers’ opinions of the impact of poverty on learning?”

Why is this simpler and more specific?

Well, with the second study, my student has a clear focus group (teachers) and an achievable methodology (interviews). This will be far simpler than somehow conducting tests on 16-year old children, getting a significant amount of children to participate in the study, and then dissecting their mathematics test results by income level.

Instead, we aimed small and simple to ensure the task itself was achievable.

We’re not here to win a Nobel prize. You can do that with your multi-million-dollar post-doctoral research grant. Get your degree first.

5. Ensure it’s Achievable.

This piece of advice builds on the previous advice, to “keep it simple”.

Keeping it simple means making sure you have a clear, small-scale focus.

Esuring the project is achievable means choosing a methodology that won’t break you.

Small Scale Qualitative Studies are Achievable for Anyone

I always suggest to my Undergraduate and Masters level students to aim for a small scale study with no more than 20 research participants.

Now, I know there will be many of you out there who want to do quantitative research studies. And in reality, you can do a quantitative study with a small group of students. These usually involve quantitative action research case studies.

If you’re set on a quantitative study, that’s fine. But find a supervisor with the right experience.

Personally, I usually recommend a qualitative focus group analysis for anyone doing their first dissertation.

The biggest mistake you can make is biting off more than you can chew.

Small scale qualitative studies are the easiest option . They can be achieved within your time frame. And you can certainly still get a very high grade.

So, let’s take the example of the previous research question, which we changed from:

For the first study, you will have to develop skills in quantitative data analysis , find a sizeable cohort of students, get permission from their parents, get special permission to study children you’re your university ethics committee, develop a quality testing mechanism, pilot the test, conduct the test, analyze the data, then interpret it.

For the second study, you will not have to develop complex mathematical skills, bother with getting permission to research children, or deal with the rigor of quantitative analysis.

In other words, you will be able to bypass many hurdles you may face.

That’s the benefit of a small-scale qualitative study. It’s a nice easy first dissertation methodology. You can do it and do it well.

I know my position is controversial, but hey … I’m here to tell you how to avoid problems, not to stand on a soapbox.

Consider Textual Analysis, Semiotic Analysis or Secondary Research

Finding people to interview, survey or participate in your study in any way at all can be intimidating.

I find it interesting and really fulfilling. But I understand if you think it’s too much for you at this point in time.

If you don’t want to have to go out and find research participants for your study, I recommend one of these types of study:

  • Textual Analysis : you can look at policy documents or newspaper articles and analyze their ideological positioning , for example;
  • Semiotic Analysis : The quintessential semiotic analysis is the analysis of advertising images or movies and the examination of the ways they depict people of different races, social classes or genders;
  • Secondary Research: Look over other people’s research and try to identify themes across a range of research studies.

Now, these three different methodologies are far outside of the scope of this discussion, but consult with your dissertation supervisor if you’re overwhelmed by the idea of conducting research with real human beings. One of these three methodologies may help you bypass that process, and make the dissertation feel more achievable for you.

6. Search Online for Inspiration

If you’re still struggling to choose a dissertation topic,  go online to get inspiration!

There’s a few ways you can do this. Here’s a few good ones:

a) Google Previous Dissertation Topics

Many universities upload their students’ dissertations onto an online repository. This means there are a ton of open, free to access databases of previous students’ dissertations all over the internet.

Simply google “Dissertation” + “pdf” + a topic you’re interested in. If you’re a masters student, you can do “masters dissertation” + “pdf” + the topic; and if you’re an undegrad, then simply do “undergraduate dissertation” + “pdf” + the topic;. Simple!

Up will pop a ton of dissertations that you can instantly download to check out previous students’ successful dissertation topics.

Another benefit of doing this is that you’ll be able to view and model the structure that previous students have used as well. This can be super beneficial for you early on!

b) Look at Recent Articles Published in Journals focused on your Topic

If you scroll through the recent issues of journals in your topic, you’ll find a range of research topic ideas.

To get access to top journals in your topic, simply google “Scholarly Journal” + your topic. For example, I am a professor in education. So I’d google “Scholarly journal” + “Education”.

The homepages for a ton of journals will pop up in the Google search. Quickly scan through the recent issues of those journals to see if any ideas will pop up that interest you!

c) If you’re Studying Education or Teaching, Check Here

Lastly, a quick plug for another post I’ve written for dissertation students:

  • 51+ Dissertation Ideas for Education students .

Go check that out if you want to write a dissertation on the ‘education’ topic.

7. Trust your Dissertation Supervisor

Your dissertation supervisor will have walked many students just like you through the research process before.

Look, I know many dissertation supervisors can be disappointingly aloof and disconnected from your research. And relationships can get very frosty with your supervisors indeed.

Trust your supervisor. They make recommendations for a reason. They know how to navigate the dissertation writing process. If your supervisor makes a recommendation, strong – very strongly – consider it.

Your supervisor also has expertise in one area of research or another. Take advantage of their expertise. Be flexible and let them sway you down certain paths. You need a knowledgeable partner in the research process.

So, trust your supervisor. You need their expertise more than you know.

8. Come up with 3-5 Ideas and Bring them to your Supervisor for Feedback

Your initial dissertation topic ideas will probably need a lot of refinement.

The person who will help you to refine your topic will be your dissertation supervisor. Their main job, unfortunately, is to curb your enthusiasm. It’s to show you what problems you’ll face if you follow certain paths and recommend alterations to ensure your topic is achievable.

So, approach your supervisor with your 3-5 top ideas and watch them do their magic. They should advise you on how to turn your ideas into reality.

Your ideas can be specific or broad – really, it doesn’t matter because you’ll walk out of your supervision meeting with a lot of changed ideas. It doesn’t need to be set in stone.

You could, for example, go up to your supervisor and say something like:

  • “I’m interested in Erikson’s theory of development. Do you have any suggestions of how I can use Erikson’s ideas for a dissertation?”
  • “I’m really into conservative politics. What ideas do you have for an achievable topic?”
  • Any other ideas…

They’ll help you shape and mold your topic into something achievable.

9. Lastly, Stick to your Choice

how to choose a dissertation topic

When I did my dissertation, I questioned my topic daily: I’d always be thinking up new, better ideas for my dissertation!

But once you’re locked in, it’s hard to change your mind. You’re going to get ethics permission to conduct your study, not anyone else’s!

So, my advice is simple:

Once you’ve chosen your topic, commit.

If you’re desperate to do another topic, fine, do another degree. If you’re doing your Master’s right now, bank those other ideas for a potential PhD down the track.

But once you’ve made your choice, really … you’ve got to commit, block out all your regrets and dig in.

Don’t worry about your friends who chose a dissertation topic that is better than yours. Stay in your lane, be content with your topic, and create a great product.

Writing a dissertation is an exercise in being practical more than anything. That start from the very first choice: choosing a dissertation topic that’s achievable and good for your career, and will also put you on the path for top marks.

Chris

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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How to Choose the Best Topic for Research: Top 150+ Dissertation Topics

How to Choose the Best Topic for Research: Top 150+ Dissertation Topics

Introduction

Understanding the research process, relevance to academic or professional goals, scope and feasibility of the topic, availability of resources and data, novelty and contribution to the field, brainstorming techniques for topic generation, mind mapping, freewriting, idea clustering, swot analysis, consultation with advisors or experts, conduct preliminary research, consider the potential for further exploration and depth, evaluate the availability of research materials, finalizing the research topic, aligns with personal interests and goals, manageable and achievable, discuss with advisors or mentors, below are the top 150+ dissertation topics, business and economics:, technology and engineering:, health sciences:, other topics include:.

Choosing the best topic for research is a crucial step in the dissertation process. It sets the foundation for your study and greatly impacts your research success. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when selecting a research topic and provide a comprehensive list of the top 150+ dissertation topics across various disciplines. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to find a topic that aligns with your interests, contributes to the field, and ensures a fulfilling research journey.

Before delving into topic selection, it’s important to understand the research process as a whole. From defining research objectives to data collection and analysis, each step is interconnected. The topic selection phase holds immense significance as it dictates the direction and outcomes of your research .

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Research Topic:

Personal Interest and Passion: Choose a topic that genuinely excites you and aligns with your passions. Your enthusiasm will drive your motivation and commitment throughout the research journey.

Select a topic that aligns with your academic or professional aspirations . Consider how the research can contribute to your desired career path or academic advancement.

Assess the scope of the topic and ensure it is manageable within the given time and resource constraints. Avoid overly broad or narrow topics that might hinder progress.

Consider the availability of research materials, data sources, and access to relevant information. Adequate resources will facilitate a thorough and comprehensive study.

Look for topics that fill gaps in current knowledge or address emerging trends. A novel research topic has the potential to make a significant contribution to your field of study.

To generate topic ideas, employ various brainstorming techniques:

Visualize your ideas and create associations using a mind map.

Set a time limit and write continuously without censoring your thoughts. This helps generate new ideas and insights.

Organize related concepts into clusters and explore connections between them.

How to Choose the Best Topic for Research: Top 150+ Dissertation Topics

Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of potential topics to assess their viability .

Seek guidance from your advisors or experts in your field. They can provide valuable insights and help refine your topic ideas.

Top 150+ Best Topics for Research

We have curated a list of the top 150+ dissertation topics across various disciplines, including Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Humanities, Business and Economics , Technology and Engineering, and Health Sciences . Each topic is accompanied by a brief description highlighting its importance and relevance to the field.

Tips for Narrowing Down the Topic Options

With a wide range of topics available, it’s essential to narrow down your options:

Gather background information on potential topics to assess their feasibility and relevance.

Evaluate if the topic has the potential for in-depth research and analysis, ensuring a substantial study.

Check the accessibility of resources, literature, and data required for your chosen topic.

Seek feedback and advice from mentors or peers

Share your topic ideas with mentors or peers to gather feedback and gain valuable perspectives.

Choose the research topic that resonates with your personal interests and goals:

Ensure that the topic aligns with your passion and long-term aspirations.

Select a topic that is realistically achievable within the given time frame and resource constraint s.

Seek input and guidance from your advisors or mentors to refine and finalize your research topic.

  • The impact of digital marketing on consumer behavior
  • Exploring the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance
  • The effects of globalization on small businesses
  • Analyzing the role of leadership in organizational success
  • Understanding the factors influencing consumer trust in e-commerce
  • The impact of financial literacy on personal finance management
  • Exploring the relationship between employee motivation and job satisfaction
  • Investigating the effects of mergers and acquisitions on company performance
  • Analyzing the role of corporate governance in preventing financial fraud
  • The influence of cultural dimensions on international business negotiations
  • The development of smart cities and their impact on sustainability
  • Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare
  • Cybersecurity challenges and strategies in the digital age
  • Investigating the applications of blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrency
  • The role of robotics in industrial automation
  • Analyzing the impact of virtual reality on user experience
  • Exploring the potential of 3D printing in manufacturing
  • The future of autonomous vehicles: Challenges and opportunities
  • Investigating renewable energy technologies for a greener future
  • The impact of big data analytics on business decision-making
  • The relationship between mental health and physical well-being
  • Exploring the effectiveness of alternative therapies in pain management
  • Investigating the impact of exercise on cognitive function
  • Analyzing the factors influencing medication adherence in chronic diseases
  • Understanding the psychosocial factors affecting pediatric obesity
  • Exploring the role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases
  • The impact of social determinants of health on healthcare outcomes
  • Investigating the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction
  • Analyzing the relationship between sleep quality and overall health
  • Exploring the challenges and innovations in telemedicine
  • The role of social media influencers in shaping consumer behavior
  • Analyzing the impact of globalization on cultural diversity
  • Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth
  • Investigating the effectiveness of corporate training programs on employee performance
  • The influence of advertising on children’s consumer behavior
  • Understanding the factors influencing job satisfaction among healthcare professionals
  • Exploring the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance
  • Analyzing the effects of income inequality on social mobility
  • Investigating the impact of technology on work-life balance
  • The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership
  • Exploring the effects of workplace diversity on organizational innovation
  • Analyzing the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand reputation
  • Investigating the impact of globalization on labor markets
  • The effects of employee engagement on organizational productivity
  • Exploring the role of cultural intelligence in international business
  • Analyzing the impact of corporate mergers on consumer choices
  • Investigating the relationship between ethical leadership and employee behavior
  • The influence of organizational culture on employee motivation
  • Exploring the effects of e-commerce on traditional retail businesses
  • The impact of data privacy regulations on consumer trust in online services
  • Analyzing the relationship between workplace diversity and team performance
  • Investigating the effects of digital transformation on organizational competitiveness
  • The role of emotional labor in customer service industries
  • Exploring the impact of social entrepreneurship on community development
  • Analyzing the effects of supply chain disruptions on business operations
  • Investigating the influence of corporate branding on consumer loyalty
  • The impact of artificial intelligence on job displacement
  • Exploring the effects of corporate social media use on brand perception
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational communication and employee satisfaction
  • Investigating the effects of workplace mindfulness programs on employee well-being
  • The role of corporate entrepreneurship in fostering organizational innovation
  • Exploring the impact of social media marketing on consumer engagement
  • Investigating the effects of workplace diversity on creativity and innovation
  • The influence of organizational justice on employee motivation and job satisfaction
  • Analyzing the relationship between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility
  • Investigating the effects of digitalization on supply chain management
  • Exploring the impact of emotional intelligence on team dynamics
  • Analyzing the relationship between employee empowerment and organizational performance
  • Investigating the effects of ethical leadership on employee job attitudes
  • The role of technology in enhancing customer experiences in the hospitality industry
  • Exploring the impact of corporate social responsibility on investor decision-making
  • Investigating the effects of workplace flexibility on employee work-life balance
  • The influence of organizational culture on organizational resilience
  • Analyzing the relationship between sustainable practices and financial performance
  • Investigating the effects of employee well-being programs on organizational outcomes
  • Exploring the impact of digital marketing strategies on brand equity
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational change management and employee resistance
  • Investigating the effects of corporate social responsibility on employee engagement
  • The role of corporate entrepreneurship in fostering organizational agility
  • Exploring the impact of technological advancements on customer service experiences
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational learning and innovation
  • Investigating the effects of workplace empowerment on employee job satisfaction
  • The influence of organizational justice on employee performance and commitment
  • Exploring the impact of workplace diversity on organizational resilience
  • Analyzing the relationship between corporate governance and corporate financial performance
  • Investigating the effects of digital marketing on consumer trust and loyalty
  • The role of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution in the workplace
  • Exploring the impact of corporate social responsibility on employee retention
  • Analyzing the relationship between leadership styles and employee motivation
  • Investigating the effects of organizational climate on employee well-being
  • The influence of ethical leadership on organizational culture
  • Exploring the impact of workplace diversity on customer satisfaction
  • Investigating the effects of artificial intelligence on job satisfaction
  • The role of corporate social responsibility in crisis management
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational trust and employee commitment
  • Investigating the effects of employee development programs on organizational performance
  • Exploring the impact of technology on customer relationship management
  • Analyzing the relationship between workplace happiness and employee productivity
  • Investigating the effects of organizational justice on employee well-being
  • The role of corporate entrepreneurship in fostering organizational sustainability
  • Exploring the impact of digital transformation on customer experiences
  • Investigating the effects of workplace diversity on organizational culture
  • The influence of ethical leadership on employee well-being
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational trust and customer loyalty
  • Investigating the effects of corporate social responsibility on consumer purchasing behavior
  • Exploring the impact of technology on supply chain sustainability
  • Analyzing the relationship between leadership development and organizational success
  • Investigating the effects of workplace empowerment on organizational innovation
  • The role of corporate social responsibility in talent acquisition and retention
  • Exploring the impact of digital marketing on brand awareness and perception
  • Analyzing the relationship between organizational trust and team effectiveness
  • Investigating the effects of workplace diversity on organizational performance
  • The influence of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation
  • Exploring the impact of technology on customer loyalty programs
  • Analyzing the relationship between workplace motivation and employee engagement
  • Investigating the effects of corporate social responsibility on employee job satisfaction
  • The role of corporate entrepreneurship in fostering organizational flexibility
  • Exploring the impact of technology on supply chain efficiency
  • Analyzing the relationship between leadership effectiveness and organizational culture
  • Investigating the effects of workplace well-being programs on employee productivity

Please note that these topics can be further refined or tailored to specific research interests and objectives.

Choosing the best topic for your research is a critical decision that can shape the success and satisfaction of your dissertation journey. By considering factors such as personal interest, relevance, feasibility, and novelty, you can select a research topic that fuels your enthusiasm and contributes meaningfully to your field. Take your time, explore various brainstorming techniques, and seek advice from experts to ensure you embark on a fulfilling research endeavor.

If you are embarking on your research journey and in need of professional assistance, look no further than Gradesmiths . Our dedicated team of experts is committed to providing top-notch academic services tailored to your needs. Whether you require assistance in selecting a research topic, conducting literature reviews, or writing your dissertation, our skilled writers are here to support you every step of the way. With a reputation for delivering high-quality work on time, we ensure that your research is in capable hands. Place your order today at Gradesmiths and let us help you achieve your academic goals with excellence and precision.

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  • Dissertation

What Is a Dissertation? | Guide, Examples, & Template

Structure of a Dissertation

A dissertation is a long-form piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by you. It is usually submitted as the final step in order to finish a PhD program.

Your dissertation is probably the longest piece of writing you’ve ever completed. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills, and it can be intimidating to know where to begin.

Your department likely has guidelines related to how your dissertation should be structured. When in doubt, consult with your supervisor.

You can also download our full dissertation template in the format of your choice below. The template includes a ready-made table of contents with notes on what to include in each chapter, easily adaptable to your department’s requirements.

Download Word template Download Google Docs template

  • In the US, a dissertation generally refers to the collection of research you conducted to obtain a PhD.
  • In other countries (such as the UK), a dissertation often refers to the research you conduct to obtain your bachelor’s or master’s degree.

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Table of contents

Dissertation committee and prospectus process, how to write and structure a dissertation, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your dissertation, free checklist and lecture slides.

When you’ve finished your coursework, as well as any comprehensive exams or other requirements, you advance to “ABD” (All But Dissertation) status. This means you’ve completed everything except your dissertation.

Prior to starting to write, you must form your committee and write your prospectus or proposal . Your committee comprises your adviser and a few other faculty members. They can be from your own department, or, if your work is more interdisciplinary, from other departments. Your committee will guide you through the dissertation process, and ultimately decide whether you pass your dissertation defense and receive your PhD.

Your prospectus is a formal document presented to your committee, usually orally in a defense, outlining your research aims and objectives and showing why your topic is relevant . After passing your prospectus defense, you’re ready to start your research and writing.

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dissertation topics choosing

The structure of your dissertation depends on a variety of factors, such as your discipline, topic, and approach. Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an overall argument to support a central thesis , with chapters organized around different themes or case studies.

However, hard science and social science dissertations typically include a review of existing works, a methodology section, an analysis of your original research, and a presentation of your results , presented in different chapters.

Dissertation examples

We’ve compiled a list of dissertation examples to help you get started.

  • Example dissertation #1: Heat, Wildfire and Energy Demand: An Examination of Residential Buildings and Community Equity (a dissertation by C. A. Antonopoulos about the impact of extreme heat and wildfire on residential buildings and occupant exposure risks).
  • Example dissertation #2: Exploring Income Volatility and Financial Health Among Middle-Income Households (a dissertation by M. Addo about income volatility and declining economic security among middle-income households).
  • Example dissertation #3: The Use of Mindfulness Meditation to Increase the Efficacy of Mirror Visual Feedback for Reducing Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees (a dissertation by N. S. Mills about the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on the relationship between mirror visual feedback and the pain level in amputees with phantom limb pain).

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo.

Read more about title pages

The acknowledgements section is usually optional and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you. In some cases, your acknowledgements are part of a preface.

Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces

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The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150 to 300 words long. Though this may seem very short, it’s one of the most important parts of your dissertation, because it introduces your work to your audience.

Your abstract should:

  • State your main topic and the aims of your research
  • Describe your methods
  • Summarize your main results
  • State your conclusions

Read more about abstracts

The table of contents lists all of your chapters, along with corresponding subheadings and page numbers. This gives your reader an overview of your structure and helps them easily navigate your document.

Remember to include all main parts of your dissertation in your table of contents, even the appendices. It’s easy to generate a table automatically in Word if you used heading styles. Generally speaking, you only include level 2 and level 3 headings, not every subheading you included in your finished work.

Read more about tables of contents

While not usually mandatory, it’s nice to include a list of figures and tables to help guide your reader if you have used a lot of these in your dissertation. It’s easy to generate one of these in Word using the Insert Caption feature.

Read more about lists of figures and tables

Similarly, if you have used a lot of abbreviations (especially industry-specific ones) in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

Read more about lists of abbreviations

In addition to the list of abbreviations, if you find yourself using a lot of highly specialized terms that you worry will not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary. Here, alphabetize the terms and include a brief description or definition.

Read more about glossaries

The introduction serves to set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance. It tells the reader what to expect in the rest of your dissertation. The introduction should:

  • Establish your research topic , giving the background information needed to contextualize your work
  • Narrow down the focus and define the scope of your research
  • Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
  • Clearly state your research questions and objectives
  • Outline the flow of the rest of your work

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant. By the end, the reader should understand the what, why, and how of your research.

Read more about introductions

A formative part of your research is your literature review . This helps you gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic.

Literature reviews encompass:

  • Finding relevant sources (e.g., books and journal articles)
  • Assessing the credibility of your sources
  • Critically analyzing and evaluating each source
  • Drawing connections between them (e.g., themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps) to strengthen your overall point

A literature review is not merely a summary of existing sources. Your literature review should have a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear justification for your own research. It may aim to:

  • Address a gap in the literature or build on existing knowledge
  • Take a new theoretical or methodological approach to your topic
  • Propose a solution to an unresolved problem or advance one side of a theoretical debate

Read more about literature reviews

Theoretical framework

Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework. Here, you define and analyze the key theories, concepts, and models that frame your research.

Read more about theoretical frameworks

Your methodology chapter describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to critically assess its credibility. Your methodology section should accurately report what you did, as well as convince your reader that this was the best way to answer your research question.

A methodology section should generally include:

  • The overall research approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative ) and research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
  • Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment )
  • Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
  • Any tools and materials you used (e.g., computer programs, lab equipment)
  • Your data analysis methods (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
  • An evaluation or justification of your methods

Read more about methodology sections

Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses , or themes, but avoid including any subjective or speculative interpretation here.

Your results section should:

  • Concisely state each relevant result together with relevant descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
  • Briefly state how the result relates to the question or whether the hypothesis was supported
  • Report all results that are relevant to your research questions , including any that did not meet your expectations.

Additional data (including raw numbers, full questionnaires, or interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix. You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results. Read more about results sections

Your discussion section is your opportunity to explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research question. Here, interpret your results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. Refer back to relevant source material to show how your results fit within existing research in your field.

Some guiding questions include:

  • What do your results mean?
  • Why do your results matter?
  • What limitations do the results have?

If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data.

Read more about discussion sections

Your dissertation’s conclusion should concisely answer your main research question, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your central argument and emphasizing what your research has contributed to the field.

In some disciplines, the conclusion is just a short section preceding the discussion section, but in other contexts, it is the final chapter of your work. Here, you wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you found, with recommendations for future research and concluding remarks.

It’s important to leave the reader with a clear impression of why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known? Why is your research necessary for the future of your field?

Read more about conclusions

It is crucial to include a reference list or list of works cited with the full details of all the sources that you used, in order to avoid plagiarism. Be sure to choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your dissertation. Each style has strict and specific formatting requirements.

Common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA , but which style you use is often set by your department or your field.

Create APA citations Create MLA citations

Your dissertation should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents such as interview transcripts or survey questions can be added as appendices, rather than adding them to the main body.

Read more about appendices

Making sure that all of your sections are in the right place is only the first step to a well-written dissertation. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for editing and proofreading, as grammar mistakes and sloppy spelling errors can really negatively impact your work.

Dissertations can take up to five years to write, so you will definitely want to make sure that everything is perfect before submitting. You may want to consider using a professional dissertation editing service , AI proofreader or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect prior to submitting.

After your written dissertation is approved, your committee will schedule a defense. Similarly to defending your prospectus, dissertation defenses are oral presentations of your work. You’ll present your dissertation, and your committee will ask you questions. Many departments allow family members, friends, and other people who are interested to join as well.

After your defense, your committee will meet, and then inform you whether you have passed. Keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality; most committees will have resolved any serious issues with your work with you far prior to your defense, giving you ample time to fix any problems.

As you write your dissertation, you can use this simple checklist to make sure you’ve included all the essentials.

Checklist: Dissertation

My title page includes all information required by my university.

I have included acknowledgements thanking those who helped me.

My abstract provides a concise summary of the dissertation, giving the reader a clear idea of my key results or arguments.

I have created a table of contents to help the reader navigate my dissertation. It includes all chapter titles, but excludes the title page, acknowledgements, and abstract.

My introduction leads into my topic in an engaging way and shows the relevance of my research.

My introduction clearly defines the focus of my research, stating my research questions and research objectives .

My introduction includes an overview of the dissertation’s structure (reading guide).

I have conducted a literature review in which I (1) critically engage with sources, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, (2) discuss patterns, themes, and debates in the literature, and (3) address a gap or show how my research contributes to existing research.

I have clearly outlined the theoretical framework of my research, explaining the theories and models that support my approach.

I have thoroughly described my methodology , explaining how I collected data and analyzed data.

I have concisely and objectively reported all relevant results .

I have (1) evaluated and interpreted the meaning of the results and (2) acknowledged any important limitations of the results in my discussion .

I have clearly stated the answer to my main research question in the conclusion .

I have clearly explained the implications of my conclusion, emphasizing what new insight my research has contributed.

I have provided relevant recommendations for further research or practice.

If relevant, I have included appendices with supplemental information.

I have included an in-text citation every time I use words, ideas, or information from a source.

I have listed every source in a reference list at the end of my dissertation.

I have consistently followed the rules of my chosen citation style .

I have followed all formatting guidelines provided by my university.

Congratulations!

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What is a Dissertation (And How To Choose a Topic)?

dissertation topics choosing

Nailing down a dissertation topic can be difficult. We share thoughts and tips on choosing a topic for your dissertation that will have lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

  • Most graduate students must complete a dissertation.
  • A dissertation should be based on an original research topic of your choosing.
  • Your goal is to choose a dissertation topic that addresses an important, unanswered question in your field.

Graduate in cap and gown reading a book in the library

The Dissertation—A Basic Overview

Graduate students are typically expected to create an original research question and conduct research based on this question while adhering to a formal experimental or scientific process. Subsequently, students must identify and pursue research aims and produce an original research paper providing critical analysis and outlining meaningful findings resulting from the research.

But for many students, selecting a dissertation topic can be the hardest part. That’s why we’ve outlined the helpful tips below.

It’s also worth noting that while high school students and undergraduate students in U.S. schools won’t typically be required to write a dissertation, the tips below can be useful for learning how to choose and write thesis topics at every level of education. Moreover, for students in pursuit of a master’s degree, the same tips can be readily applied to choosing from master’s thesis topics.

What to Know Before Choosing a Topic

For graduate students, a major part of the dissertation process will include working closely with an advisor or mentor. Your mentor will typically provide feedback and guidance at various steps of the process from fielding preliminary dissertation ideas and identifying your dissertation title to analyzing your research data and completing your research paper.

Your mentor may also be a part of the dissertation review board. Most graduate students will be required to defend their dissertation before this committee of scholars and experts. For most graduate students, and some undergraduate students in specialized programs, dissertation completion will be a major part of academic performance evaluation.

Man studing on a laptop

Choosing Dissertation Topics

Of course, before you get to all of the challenging steps above, you must choose a dissertation topic. The good news is that you have almost infinite options to choose from within your field. But that’s also the bad news. When it comes to choosing dissertation topics, the toughest part may be narrowing it down to a single topic.

With that in mind, we offer 10 Tips for choosing your dissertation topic .

1. Identify Your Dissertation Type

Dissertation topics will depend on the type of research you intend to do. This, in turn, depends on your field of study. Dissertation topics will often fall into two primary categories—empirical research and qualitative research.

Empirical research is often driven by your own independent field research and data gathering. This is more common in medical and natural science fields such as psychology dissertation topics, nursing dissertation topics, and subjects engaging modern technology such as computer science.

Qualitative research may be more common in fields where critical analysis is essential, such as art dissertation topics, international criminal law, business dissertation topics, and more. In these cases, existing knowledge would serve as a starting point for deeper assessment.

Female student smiling outside

2. Explore Existing Data

Regardless of your subject area, your starting point will likely be existing research. This will help you differentiate between areas of existing knowledge and opportunities for deeper exploration.

Moreover, this step will give you a sense of the higher education dissertation topics that have been used in the past to explore your field. This can be a useful way to help you understand what might qualify as a viable dissertation topic.

3. Record Your Sources

As you delve into existing ideas and findings, you can also begin to gather your own body of sources on the subject. If this research is fruitful, many of these preliminary scholarly sources will form the backbone of your reference list. As you get deeper into your specific dissertation topic, this list will only grow.

4. Identify Unanswered Questions

As you explore the existing research, identify unanswered questions. Scholarly research articles will often recognize limitations to the existing study and even identify additional areas for future research. Highlight questions that might be worthy of deeper consideration as you conduct your preliminary research and reading.

5. Expand Your Research Based On Unanswered Questions

Follow the research trail for some of the most intriguing unanswered questions. Find out how deep the research goes on such topics.

Is there additional research that actually does address these questions? Have others in your field proposed similar questions in recent journal articles, scientific conferences or other public contexts? In other words, is this really an original idea? This step should help you eliminate any supposedly “unanswered questions” that are, in fact, answered elsewhere.

Four students walking outside

6. Consider Feasibility

How will you conduct the study? Using comparative analysis? Field research? Laboratory experiments with innovative technologies? In light of these needs, how realistic will it be to explore a given dissertation topic?

Be sure your institution has the resources to facilitate your research project. If additional funding or outside support is required, consider how realistic it will be to procure this support.

7. Weigh the Ethical Implications

Be sure that any research questions under consideration can be explored with full adherence to experimental ethics. This is an especially important point of consideration for those exploring sensitive topics like domestic violence, modern recovery programs, human rights abuses, and more.

Evaluate the possibility of ethical issues dealing with your topic or proposed experimental framework. Ultimately, your dissertation proposal will have to address these issues. This is a good first step in that direction.

8. Narrow Questions Based on Potential Impact

Now that you’ve narrowed down to dissertation topics that are original, feasible, and ethical, it’s time to think about why a given question might be worthy of exploration.

Some examples of questions you may want to explore include:

  • How might your education dissertation topic improve our understanding of human cognitive development?
  • Have you considered economics dissertation topics that might address unequal wealth distribution in America?
  • Would your international law dissertation contribute to the way the global community handles human rights violations in developing countries?

Think about the ways that your research paper might help bring about real world policy change, improvements to the legal system, enhanced opportunity in the higher education sector, solutions to an economic crisis, more effective business management practices, or anything else that might positively impact knowledge, understanding and real-world outcomes in your field.

Man working at a desk

9. Identify Opportunities for Future Research

One indicator that you’ve stumbled onto a rich topic for research is the ability to mine the subject for continued exploration. Think about the ways that relevant data, empirical analysis, or consequent findings could spark additional critical thinking.

Can your chosen dissertation topic serve as the basis for future academic work? Will future college students or graduate students find the seedlings for their own research aims in your research?

While you may not necessarily choose to explore these additional questions yourself, one of the primary goals of your dissertation is to make a direct and lasting contribution to your field. Creating opportunities for others to critically analyze your findings and conduct further research is an indication that you have achieved this goal.

10. Factor in Personal Development

Dissertations certainly qualify as major academic achievements. But there’s a lot more to them. Most graduate students are already embedded in professional careers.

One of the best ways to whittle down your prospective dissertation topics is to look for ideas that apply both in your educational and professional pursuits. Indeed, aligning these interests will allow you to dive deeper into a topic that will advance your knowledge and expertise in the field where you currently work.

As a computer science student working in the gaming industry, you may conduct your research on a subject like the impact of educational games on cognitive development. A student pursuing a doctorate in business management while building a startup company might produce a dissertation on the impact of organizational culture when working in a virtual environment.

In other words, consider ways that your chosen dissertation topic can serve to advance your career even as you remain entrenched in your pursuit of a terminal degree.

And for more valuable tips on succeeding in your advanced degree program, see our Guide to Life in Graduate School .

Or get tips on studying, student life, and much more with a look at our Student Resources .

Northeastern University Graduate Programs

5 Tips for Choosing Your EdD Dissertation Topic

Faculty Insights Industry Advice Education

Associate teaching professor Corliss Thompson shares her top tips for choosing your EdD dissertation topic.

You’ve learned more about why you should earn your Doctor of Education (EdD), and now you’re ready to apply. As part of the Northeastern application process, however, you’re required to submit a problem of practice that you want to pursue throughout the course of your doctoral program.

But how do you arrive at that problem of practice and narrow your area of interest down into a specific dissertation topic? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

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Tips for Choosing a Dissertation Topic

1. pick a topic you’re passionate about..

A lot of work goes into your dissertation—from the literature review, where you’re conducting a critical analysis of what’s been published on your topic, to interviewing stakeholders and actually writing the dissertation itself. Each of those steps take time, so you want to choose a topic that will keep you engaged and hold your interest.

When trying to decide your area of focus, consider the challenges you’re motivated to address and the difference you want to make both during and at the end of your EdD program. The goal is that you will continuously build off your dissertation research and leverage the work in a way that positively impacts your organization and/or community.

2. Ensure your topic is manageable.

You want to select a topic you can complete during the duration of your EdD program that is also aligned with your budget. If you need to travel or perform longitudinal research, your idea might not be achievable. Find what available, attainable data you can, and use that to narrow down your research into a dissertation that’s more manageable.

3. Embrace the unknown.

Although you’re passionate about your topic and it’s manageable, there will still be lingering questions about your subject. Be prepared to explore what you don’t know and deepen what you already do know. Strong research typically results in more questions.

Be ready to ask questions of yourself, others, and the literature, and get comfortable with not knowing the answer. As you’re thinking about your dissertation, keep track of inquiries that emerge around different ideas. Those may help you hone in on a topic.

4. Leverage your peers.

One benefit of enrolling in an EdD program is the diversity of backgrounds and opinions you’ll find within your cohort. At Northeastern, EdD instruction is primarily online, which enables students to connect and collaborate with professionals from around the world.

Vasiliki Goudanas Mavroudhis, a recent graduate of Northeastern’s EdD program, emphasized this benefit in her piece on what it’s like to be in an online doctoral program , saying:

The ability to not only have a cohort-based network, but one that crossed cohorts and continents, allowed me to have a far richer and deeper experience. I learned from students with different perspectives who came from different industries across a number of countries.

When fleshing out your dissertation, use that global network to your advantage. Ask your peers for constructive feedback. It’s likely they’ll have suggestions on how you can approach your topic from different cultural perspectives.

5. Know it’s OK to change your topic.

It’s natural for your dissertation topic to evolve the more research you complete and experts you interview. Actually, it’s expected.

Switching topics halfway through the program might seem like more work, but you will have already gone through the research process once and laid the foundation for your dissertation. As you approach your topic from different perspectives, it’s understandable if your own viewpoint changes a bit.

If you’re in need of inspiration, here are some examples of doctoral research Northeastern students have recently conducted:

  • “The Drop Out Decisions of Latino College Students”
  • “Changing the Experiences of African Refugee Youth”
  • “Supporting Students Through Mindful Mentoring”
  • “The Transitioning Student Veteran: Finding Your Civilian Career Through Academic Success”
  • “Bridging the Gap Between Training and Educating in Adult Learning”
  • “Watch out for Shards from the Glass Ceiling: A Study of Women Higher Educational Administrators’ Leadership Development Experiences”

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How To Choose The Best Topic For Research

topics for dissertation

Starting the dissertation writing process is a significant turning point in your academic career. It is the culmination of years of study and research, and it allows you to delve deeply into a subject you are passionate about, contribute to the existing body of knowledge, and demonstrate your academic proficiency. However, before you can delve into the intriguing world of dissertation writing, there is a vital decision to make, and that is choosing good dissertation topics.

It can be daunting if you need to know where to begin or what factors to consider when choosing a dissertation topic. However, It is possible to select a dissertation topic in different ways, and what is effective for one individual may be ineffective for another. Still, the question on how to choose a dissertation topic remain. Fear not! We’ve compiled a lot of information to make this process easier.

If you are interested in science, humanities, business, or any other field, this post aims to provide you with knowledge and inspire you to choose a topic that not only piques your interest but also makes a significant contribution to your academic community. Whether you’re a doctorate candidate nearing the end of your academic journey or a graduate student commencing this exciting journey, this post is for you. Let’s go!

What Is A Dissertation?

A dissertation is an academic paper that culminates significant research, critical thinking, and academic expertise in a particular field. A dissertation, which many frequently require for advanced degrees such as a Ph.D. or a master’s, demonstrates a student’s capacity to independently explore a topic, conduct authentic research, and provide unique insights to their academic community.

A dissertation often involves thoroughly analyzing all the literature about the study’s topic, describing the background and any knowledge gaps. The author then develops research questions or hypotheses and devises a methodology to study them. The dissertation delivers discoveries that support or challenge existing assumptions through thorough data collecting, analysis, and interpretation.

A dissertation demonstrates the author’s knowledge, research abilities, and capacity to improve understanding in their chosen field of study. It is necessary for academic degrees and significantly contributes to the educational field.

Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing A Dissertation Topic

Selecting topics for a dissertation is an essential stage in your academic journey. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of this process effectively:

  • Step 1: Understand the Research Process Begin by examining any handouts or instructions you’ve received from your university/department about what they anticipate from a dissertation and thesis, such as the course guidebook, online manual, and in-class directions. Although brainstorming may be tempting, it is critical to begin with the essential content.
  • Step 2: Brainstorm Begin by listing potential study subjects that interest you to narrow down your options. If you have a specific question or topic you are interested in, this could be anything from a broad topic you are passionate about to a more specific question. Consider your field of study, current events, and any research gaps you have uncovered in your area of expertise. As a result, you can produce many potential topics to explore.
  • Step 3: Select a Topic of Your Choice Choose a topic that is in line with your interests and expertise. Your dissertation will become fascinating and motivating if you are passionate about your topic. Make a list of topics you’re familiar with and those you’d like to learn more about. The idea is to select a topic that you will be interested in exploring, and that will keep you engaged throughout the dissertation process.
  • Step 4: Review Previous Literature Unless you’re starting from scratch, many scholars likely have already conducted studies on the same topic you’re interested in. Find good dissertations that people have already written to help you get started. Past dissertations can be helpful to models for a variety of factors, including the extent of the bibliography, the depth of the literature review, and the types of methodologies you can use to prove your research hypotheses.
  • Step 5: Evaluate the Feasibility Once you have a list of potential topics, consider variables such as data availability, time constraints, and access to participants or resources. You can use this data to assess which topics are appropriate for your research. If you intend to conduct a wide-scale study with a large sample size, be sure you have enough participants. If you’re on a tight budget, consider the resources and equipment you’ll need for your research.
  • Step 6: Be objective It’s easy to ‘fall in love’ with a topic or subject early in your research, which might make you oblivious to its flaws. As a result, it’s vital to be realistic about the promise and scope of your project. Take a step back from your topic and examine it from an outsider’s perspective to ensure you stay on top of a flawed concept. As long as you have correctly planned your schedule, it would help to have plenty of time to locate another topic.
  • Step 7: Feedback You may benefit from feedback on the topic and research question you have chosen from colleagues, advisors, or other experts in your field. They may provide valuable ideas or other techniques you have yet to consider. This allows you to refine your research question further and guarantee that you are on the right path with your dissertation.

Dissertation Titles In Humanities

Do you enjoy writing on exciting topics? If so, the following list of fascinating humanity topics for your dissertation could help.

  • An Analysis of Social Media’s Influence on Public Discourse
  • An Inquiry into the Ethics of Digital Humanities Research from a Philosophical Perspective.
  • The Middle East’s Intersection of Religion and Politics: Historical and Modern Perspectives.
  • Folklore’s Role in Cultural Heritage Preservation
  • The Impact of Artistic Expression on Political Movements
  • Narratives of Identity in Modern Literature
  • An Ethnographic Investigation on the Influence of Globalization on Indigenous Cultures.
  • The Aesthetics of Horror in Film and Literature: A Study of Recent Works
  • A Comparative Study of Gender Representation in Modern Literature.
  • The Psychology of Humour: A Look into the Relationship Between Laughter and Mental Health.
  • Medieval Manuscripts and Their Cultural Importance
  • Language and Communication in Human History: An Evolutionary Perspective
  • Development of Expressive methods of cinematic language in the context of the use of motion capture technology
  • The evolution of musical genres of the second millennium
  • The Politics and Art of Indigenous Photography

Dissertation Topics In Social Sciences

Here are suggestions on some exciting topics in this area of social sciences below for you to base your dissertation projects on:

  • The influence of religion in defining the optimum role of females in a society
  • The practice of social work with bereaved Households
  • The Influence of Remote Work on Work-Life Balance
  • The Public’s View on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
  • The Contribution of Social Media on Political Activism
  • The Impacts of Social Isolation on Mental Health
  • A comparison of the totalitarian system vs. democracy in terms of social advancement
  • Social inequalities associated with capitalism and communism
  • The Evolution of USA family structure over the years – A study of the periodic social change
  • An examination of American religious institutions and their influence on social structure
  • A Study on how society influences gender relations
  • How can the government alleviate the stress that social workers face?
  • Social mistrust as a reflection of dysfunctions in society’s development
  • The impact of the Internet on the socio-political activity of young people
  • Mental Health Stigma: Understanding and Reducing Barriers

Dissertation Topics In Psychology

Here are some dissertation topics in the field of psychology:

  • The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health
  • Body Image and Self-Esteem Among Young People
  • The influence of family’s emotional climate on the formation of markers of deviant behavior in early youth
  • Development of emotional intelligence as prevention of self-destructive behavior in Young People
  • The Correlation between the level of anxiety and adaptability for International students
  • An Investigation into the Influence of Social Media on Anxiety and Depression
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’s Effectiveness in Treating Anxiety and Depression
  • The Intersection of Neuroscience and Psychology: A Study of Brain Imaging Techniques in Understanding Mental Health Disorders
  • The Influence of Culture on Mental Health: Case Study of Eastern and Western Approaches to Mental Health Treatment
  • An Investigation into the Connection Between Addiction and Personality Traits
  • A Comparative Study of Aging in Different Cultures.
  • The Importance of Positive Psychology in Improving Well-Being.
  • Influence of Video Games on Cognitive and Emotional Development
  • The Effects of Bullying on Mental Health in Adolescents
  • The Psychology of Decision-Making and Risk-Taking Behaviors

Dissertation Topics In Education

You may be looking for a simple topic to write about. In such a case, take into account these concepts for your dissertation.

  • The Influence of Emotional Intelligence in Classroom Management
  • Effects of Technology on Teaching and Learning: A Comparison of Traditional and Online Education
  • The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Student Learning Outcomes in the United States of America
  • Harassment prevention of younger pupils in interpersonal relationships in the educational institution
  • Analyzing Inclusive Education Practices for Students with Disabilities
  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of Online Learning Platforms
  • The Importance of Arts Education in Cognitive Development
  • Investigating the Impact of Inequality on Educational Access
  • The Contribution of Educational Technology to Special Education
  • Educational Policies and Their Influence on Curriculum Design
  • Examining the effect of financial restraints on female education in East Africa
  • What learning dissimilarities exist between neurotypical and neurodivergent students?
  • Do stress levels among pupils and performance on standardized tests correlate?
  • The Importance of Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching in Diverse Classrooms

Dissertation Topics In Business

You may be looking for a simple topic to write about in business. If so, the suggestions on this list are worth looking into.

  • The impact of AI-based tools on business decision-making and overall organizational profitability
  • Assessing the performance of global business teams within international corporations: the test of an intervening process model
  • How various business-government relations patterns impact industrial upgrading processes: An analysis of emerging economies.
  • A study on the exit strategy of foreign venture capital investment in the multinational private business sector
  • The Importance of Entrepreneurship in Economic Growth: A Study of Small Business Development and Job Creation.
  • A Comparative Analysis of Trade Agreements and Their Effect on Global Economic Relations.
  • The Impact of Globalization on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
  • The Influence of Big Data Analytics on Business Decision-Making
  • The Impact of Digital Marketing on Consumer Behavior
  • Economic Development and environmental problems in international business

Dissertation Topics In Science & Engineering

The dissertation topics listed below provide a diverse range of research opportunities in the ever-changing fields of science and engineering:

  • The Effect of Renewable Energy Technologies on Sustainable Development: A Study of Different Approaches to Promoting Renewable Energy Sources
  • The Influence of Climate Change on Engineering Infrastructure: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Climate Change and Infrastructure Resilience
  • A Study on the Use of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies in Engineering Applications
  • The Effects of Additive Manufacturing on Industrial Processes and Supply Chains
  • An investigation of the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques in engineering design and optimization
  • An Examination of Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Space Science and Engineering
  • Analyzing the Potential of Gene Editing in Genetic Disease Treatment
  • Neuroscience of Decision-Making: Insights from Brain Imaging
  • Understanding the Microbiome’s Effect on Human Health
  • The Physics of Climate Change: Predictions and Modeling
  • The Importance of Nanotechnology in Medicine
  • The Concept of Quantum Entanglement and Its Applications
  • An Investigation of the Impacts of Biotechnology on Medical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Drug Development.
  • The Significance of Science Education Programs: A Comparative Study of Different Approaches to Teaching Science in Schools.
  • An Examination of Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Transportation Engineering.

Marketing Dissertation Topics

Are you looking for an intriguing marketing topic? You can select a topic from the list below that corresponds to your interests and career aspirations in the marketing industry:

  • The Importance of Emotional Marketing in Building Brand Trust
  • Marketing in the Gaming Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
  • The Role of Neuromarketing in Understanding Consumer Preferences
  • Importance of Neuromarketing in Understanding the Consumer’s Preferences
  • An Examination into the Effects of Influencer Marketing on Consumer Behaviour
  • A Study of Various Approaches to Targeted Marketing and Personalized Advertising.
  • An Examination of the Relationship Between Marketing Communications and Brand Image
  • Exploration of the Relationship Between Customer Experience and Consumer Loyalty
  • The Psychology of Impulse Buying and its Significances
  • Sustainable Marketing Practices and Their Usefulness
  • Content Marketing and its Impact on Brand Engagement
  • The Importance of Augmented Reality (AR) in Retail Marketing
  • Marketing Techniques for Niche and Luxury Markets
  • Cross-Cultural Marketing: Challenges and Strategies
  • The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Brand Image

Law Dissertation Topics

The law is gradually changing and is the basis for developing new topics. The choice comes up in the field of lawmaking or changes in law enforcement practice. Listed below are a few issues that you might be interested in:

  • Military courts and their role in maintaining the country’s defense
  • The legal nature and characteristics of the private property of legal entities
  • Recent trends and concerns in determining the amount of compensation for moral damage
  • Legal Problems in Ensuring Access to Justice for Vulnerable Populations
  • Legal Concerns Regarding Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology
  • Medical Ethics and Legal Considerations in the Healthcare Industry
  • The Effect of International Human Rights Law on Domestic Legislation
  • Environmental Law and Sustainable Development: Problems and Solutions
  • Corporate Governance and Legal Compliance in International Corporations
  • Legal Implications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • The Consumer Protection Laws in Digital Marketplace
  • The Intellectual Property and Innovation: Finding a Balance Between Rights and Access
  • The Effect of Social Media on Defamation Laws
  • Human Rights and National Security: Finding the Balance
  • Legal Challenges in Combating Cybercrime

Fashion Topics For Dissertation

A creative individual would like fashion topics for dissertation such as the following:

  • Drawing a parallel between slow and ultra-fast production chain management in the fashion sector
  • How capitalism contributes to western cultural landscape and fashion
  • The fixation with creating kids clothes that are adult-like
  • How social networks contribute to the evolution and spread of fashion trends
  • Fashion in Film and Television: Visual Storytelling and Costume Design
  • Fashion Journalism and Its Influence on Shaping Consumer Preferences
  • The Impact of Street Style and Subcultures on Mainstream Fashion
  • Fashion and Personal Branding: Techniques for Building a Fashionable Image
  • Fashion and Cultural Heritage Preservation: Crafts and Traditional Textiles
  • Fashion and Artistic Expression: The Intersection of Fashion and Fine Arts
  • The Importance of Fashion in Social Activism and Political Statements
  • Fashion Technology: Innovations in Smart Textiles and Wearable Tech
  • The Influence of Fashion on Gender Fluidity and Expression
  • The Impact of Celebrity Fashion on Consumer Choices
  • Fashion Trends in Luxury Branding: The Essence of Heritage and Innovation

Dissertation Topics In Public Health

In case you are looking for engaging public health dissertation topics, here are a few matters you can explore:

  • How does technological improvement contribute to improving public health in affluent nations?
  • The effect of poverty on public health in African nations
  • How does contemporary technology harm public health?
  • Evaluation of different US programs aimed at increasing children’s physical activity
  • Psychological and clinical impact on inflammatory effects among African women
  • Investigating the impact of uncontrolled diseases on stubborn patients
  • Evaluating numerous programs to enhance children’s physical activity at home and school.
  • Catastrophic consequences of antibiotic resistance in the upcoming year
  • Analyzing sexual abuse in a public health setting in India
  • Behavioral changes in patients with hypertension and diabetes with the introduction of a healthy lifestyle.

Sports Dissertation Topics

In case you are looking for engaging sports dissertation topics, listed below are a few topics you can explore:

  • Effects of Personality Type on Sports Motivation and Performance
  • The influence of social media on the sports industry
  • The psychological impact of sports on athletes
  • Effect of technology on the sports industry
  • The cultural importance of sports in different countries
  • The ethical problems surrounding the business of sports
  • The importance of sports in promoting international relations and diplomacy
  • The role of sports in fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment
  • Utilizing sports as a means of promoting social inclusion and diversity
  • The role of sports in the growth of urban and rural communities

Dissertation Topics In Nursing

Here’s a list of dissertation title examples in nursing from a professional dissertation writer:

  • The syndrome of professional burnout among nurses involved in patient care
  • Organization and administration of nursing practice in the provision of medical services at home
  • Effect of feedback on the quality of nursing work
  • An Analysis of the Effects of Co-Morbidities on Patient Outcomes
  • A Deep dive into the Relationship Between Health Knowledge and Patient Empowerment
  • An Investigation into the Relationship Between Quality of Life and Comfort Care
  • The Significance of Healthcare Teamwork in Patient-Centered Care
  • The Significance of Health Promotion Programs in Preventing Chronic Diseases
  • The Importance of Nursing in Patient Safety: A Study of Best Practices and Strategies for Preventing Medical Errors
  • The Effect of Telemedicine on Healthcare Delivery

Technology Dissertation Topics

Here’s a list of some great technology topics to write your dissertation on to assist you in overcoming the challenges of finding a topic:

  • The Impact of Technology in Cancer Research
  • Significance of Technology in Providing Electricity in Low-Income Areas through Alternate Energy
  • The Importance of Technology on Mental Health Diagnosis
  • Social Media, Mental Health and Technology
  • An Examination of the Ethical and Social Implications of AI Technologies
  • The Significance of Blockchain Technology in the Future of Digital Transactions
  • Significance of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Education and Training
  • An Analysis of the Use of Data-Driven Decision-Making
  • The Influence of Social Media on Society and Culture: An Analysis of the Effect of Platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.
  • The Role of User-Centered Design in Developing Technology Products
  • The Future of Quantum Computing and its Potential Applications in Various Fields
  • An Analysis of the Effects of Digital Health Technologies on Patient Outcomes and Access to Care.
  • Genetic and Biotechnology Engineering: Ethical and Regulatory Considerations
  • Sustainable Technology: Sustainable Innovations in Energy and Environmental Conservation
  • Data Privacy and Security in the Era of Big Data
  • Improving User Experience Through Human-Computer Interaction
  • Cybersecurity in a Hyperconnected World: Mitigation Strategies and Threats

Need Some Dissertation Help?

Choosing a dissertation topic is an essential step in your educational journey. Understanding the principles of dissertations, exploring several subject fields, and using a systematic approach will allow you to choose a topic that corresponds with your interests and contributes considerably to your chosen field of study.

Use the supplied list of dissertation topics as a starting point for your study, and remember that your dissertation is a testimonial to your intellectual prowess and dedication to advancing knowledge in your chosen field of study. And note that you can always employ a dissertation writing service to assist you on your academic journey. Just say “ write my dissertation ” and we can get started right away!

Richard Ginger is a dissertation writer and freelance columnist with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the writing industry. He handles every project he works on with precision while keeping attention to details and ensuring that every work he does is unique.

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How to Choose the Best Topic for Research: Top 100 Dissertation Topics

dissertation topics choosing

Are you searching for inspiration while writing your research paper? In this case, try looking up interesting research topics online. This article contains an abundance of dissertation topics, for every imaginable subject, like fashion or business leadership dissertation topics. You are going to find interesting examples! Don't forget that you can also get research paper help from our professional writing team.

Top 100 Dissertation Ideas 2023

Scholars often believe that today there is a lack of new dissertation topics. Indeed, people conduct research non-stop, and it seems like there is nothing new to discuss. So how to become a professional writer and avoid breaking intellectual property rights then?

Luckily for all enthusiastic scientists out there, there are topics for dissertation that cater to any taste. Our essay writers service presents various research topics suitable for multiple degrees. Do you study the job market, quantum physics, or human behavioral patterns? These and even more dissertation ideas are waiting for you.

How to Opt for a Dissertation Topic?

Sometimes, the immense choice of examples of dissertation topics makes you question your decision about your academic paper. Writers get recommendations from multiple sources. Before you write a dissertation, turn to more experienced people, like counselors or professors. They are likely to suggest great topics for dissertation. We also recommend that you read about how to write a dissertation .

For research and reference purposes, go online to discover new engaging themes. Your colleagues in the field of science communicate via special forums or websites, so join them! Some generous people even publish dissertation ideas and samples for free. Hence, you can develop your unique topic by looking at other people’s works.

Which Topic Suits Best for Dissertation?

Whether you search healthy lifestyle, economic crisis, or leadership dissertation topics, the strategy is the same for all of them. These topics for dissertation should meet the following requirements:

  • Bring novelty to the science field
  • Cover newsworthy issues
  • Have enough background data for an academic paper

Undeniably, it is better if the theme heavily appeals to you personally. Then, a sparkle of interest lights up whenever you write your work! On the contrary, less engaging dissertation topics make the whole writing process inefficient. Therefore, opt for themes that draw your attention the most.

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Where to Find a Unique Dissertation Topic?

Throughout life, people constantly have to present something new to the world. Middle school and high-school students show their skills via essays, college students write a thesis, and Ph.D. candidates compose dissertations. Fortunately, emergency methods, like dissertation writing service , are available for quick and quality results. Still, you might suggest your topics for dissertation.

What is the key to creating a one-of-a-kind topic? First, you have to know well enough what other scholars have already studied. Then, perform further research even if your counterparts have covered all nuances. For instance, higher education dissertation topics can cover themes of college-age population or school bullying. Meanwhile, leadership dissertation topics may connect to ethical issues dealing within companies.

Dissertation Title: How to Make It Sound Perfect

In real life, titles are essential in drawing public attention to anything. Would you rather watch a movie with a boring name or pick a film with a short, witty title? The same goes for books, essays, and other scholarly work. The word becomes an anchor, something that pushes a random person to read your written piece. Here is how you properly compose it.

Let’s say that you ponder over higher education dissertation topics. For instance, do you want to study anxiety disorders among students or how online schools are affecting libraries? Raising awareness is crucial in both cases, but you must specify the issue first. For instance, attempt to study an unexpected correlation that current research fails to cover. Use the “how,” “what,” and “why” words to form several topic ideas.

Once you have specified your exact subject of study, your goal is to fit the title in under fifty words. This task seems unproblematic, but it requires talent. Just two sentences must sum up the contents of the humongous dissertation. So, make the title clear and concise!

What are Some Relevant Ideas to Research in 2023?

How long is a dissertation? It ranges from ten thousand to a hundred thousand words, but length is only the first requirement. Without a doubt, all topics for dissertation have one crucial characteristic: relevancy. To develop top-tier academic work, you need to know the global trends and latest tendencies in your specific science field. It would be detrimental to your success to pick dissertation ideas that scholars have recycled multiple times. So instead, look at what people find exciting in 2022:

Best Dissertation Topics

  • Artificial intelligence

Although the theme of AI has been around for a while, it remains fresh and full of potential. One possible research subject is the Metaverse, a virtual reality universe. This concept is quite new, so there are many branches to study. Besides, cybersecurity, especially in the banking sector, would stand out among the interesting examples of dissertation topics.

  • Neuroscience and neurobiology

As much as scientists study human brains, there are still too many white spots in their knowledge of the human body. Choosing a topic related to cognitive development, brain implants, etc., could lead to a breakthrough in this sphere.

  • Agriculture

With the negative trends in the global food industry, the theme of agriculture is at its peak importance. Food is something that everybody relates to, regardless of ethnicity, age, job, or social status. Therefore, a dissertation could critically analyze the current state of things and solutions for the food industry in crisis.

List of Dissertation Topics 2023

Today, you can do anything with the Internet, like pay someone to write an essay or find information on the necessary subject. Likewise, you may find business dissertation topics examples or dissertation topics in education, world politics, or other themes. This article suggests multiple ideas for your academic work to make things easier.

Top Dissertation Topics in Accounting

Here is a list of engaging dissertation topics in accounting:

  • “Financial accounting's contribution to business strategy development.”
  • “The things to take into account when investing in financial markets.”
  • “How project accounting uses risk factors analysis.”
  • “Systematic examination of art galleries cost accounting.”
  • “Can computerized bookkeeping gradually replace accountants?”
  • “The effect of cryptocurrency on current accounting procedures.”
  • “Predicting new professions in the accounting industry.”
  • “How are auditing standards becoming more international?”
  • “An examination of the differences and parallels between accounting ethics and organizational culture.”
  • “Investigation of potential new revenue streams for a bank.”

Best Public Health Dissertation Topics

In case you are looking for interesting public health dissertation topics, here are a few research questions:

  • “How is it possible to increase Middle Eastern countries' access to clean, safe drinking water?”
  • “What is the contribution of technological progress to bettering public health in affluent nations?”
  • “Examining sexual abuse in an Indian public health environment.”
  • “Evaluation of several US programs to increase kids' physical activity.”
  • “The impact of poverty on public health in African nations.”
  • “A study of the effectiveness of the Italian current healthcare system.”
  • “Disastrous effects of antibiotic resistance in the upcoming year.”
  • “Patient’s immune system and drug addiction.”
  • “How does modern technology harm public health?”
  • “Impact of the recession on social conditions and public health.”

Sociology Ideas for Dissertation

You should go online if interested in the social work dissertation topics. Articles like this share newsworthy sociology dissertation topics:

  • “An analysis of American religious institutions and their impact on social structure.”
  • “Examining attitudes toward and reactions to female child sex offenders.”
  • “Studying the cultural differences in Scandinavian countries.”
  • “Determining the social origins of domestic violence in Russian families.”
  • “Global labor market stratification following the Great Recession.”
  • “Research on how society influences gender relations.”
  • “Analysis of the rise and fall in Japan's fertility rates and their underlying causes.”
  • “The practice of social work with bereaved families.”
  • “Analyze the racial stratification in European nations.”
  • “How can government decrease the stress that social workers endure?”

Dissertation Topics in Education

Whether you want to discover new primary, college, or higher education dissertation topics, you are at the right place:

  • “Looking at the effect of financial restraints on female education in east Asia.”
  • “Investigating the effects of food sharing in primary education.”
  • “Analysis of the covid pandemic's impact on the education sector.”
  • “Do stress levels among students and performance on standardized tests correlate?”
  • “What difficulties do parents of Muslim immigrants believe their children will encounter in European schools?”
  • “What do teachers think about how technology affects students' learning?”
  • “What difficulties do teachers encounter throughout their first three years of teaching?”
  • “What do parents think the purpose of sex education is?”
  • “What learning differences exist between neurodivergent and neurotypical students?”
  • “How does the number of students in each class influence grades?”

Business Dissertation Topics

Someone who takes an interest in entrepreneurship would be glad to find the following business or mba dissertation topics:

  • “The modern challenges for startups and small businesses in the USA.”
  • “The impact of competence and leadership style on emerging business leaders in Europe.”
  • “Analyzing how social media and digital platforms will impact business branding in the future.”
  • “Do male subordinates' egos feel threatened by the presence of women in leadership positions?”
  • “Is Facebook right to create targeted adverts using the user data it collects?”
  • “Is a business's dispersed leadership more effective than its lone power center?”
  • “TikTok influencer marketing's contribution to higher sales.”
  • “An analysis of how globalization has affected Chinese companies' operations.”
  • “The socio-cultural context of management and how it affects the dynamics of leadership in Denmark.”
  • “What elements influence the probability of a business filing for bankruptcy?”

Political Science Dissertation Topics

Provided that your field of study is politics, consider the next dissertation topics:

  • “Contrasting the responses of the Chinese and UK governments to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
  • “Emotion's effect on deliberative democracy.”
  • “Analysis of the single-party political system, including drawbacks and advantages.”
  • “Political choices and environmental management tradeoffs.”
  • “Eastern European social movements in the years following World War II.”
  • “Ukraine's fragmentation and the competing political forces.”
  • “Media bias in the reporting of political news.”
  • “The impact of extremism on political life in the West.”
  • “Political leaders and their individual goals.”
  • “How does US foreign policy affect other nations throughout the world?”

Psychology Dissertation Topics

What if a person struggles to find extensive psychology dissertation topics? The solution is here:

  • “Examining the connection between technology and postnatal depression.”
  • “Why are some people more prone to feeling depressed in difficult situations?”
  • “The long-term effects of childhood trauma on adults.” 
  • “Patient's mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.”
  • “Children who are suffering from oncology: modern recovery programs.”
  • “Comparison of cyberbullying and physical bullying psychological impact.”
  • “What elements alter our personalities throughout our lives?”
  • “What are the key indicators of burnout among executive staff?”
  • “Effect of physical appearance on how others perceive us.”
  • “Teaching dyslexic kids: potential difficulties.”

PhD Dissertation Topics

A Ph.D. candidate might consider historical, mathematical, or art dissertation topics. So let’s pick a great research topic:

  • “US legal system and international criminal law: a comparative study.”
  • “Examination of how globalization leads to changes in international law.”
  • “The initial causes of cultural appropriation in first-world countries.”
  • “What is the social networks’ impact on online marketing and creating demand?”
  • “Cyber-diplomacy is the development of a global civilization in the digital era.”
  • “What differences exist between US and EU immigration laws?”
  • “Changing careers: information seeking by newcomers.” 
  • “The African-focused foreign policy of China.”
  • “How have feminists' objectives evolved over the last ten years?”
  • “Bringing the internet of things research and implementation together.”

Economics Dissertation Topics

Let’s see which dissertation topics in finance and economics can draw attention today:

  • “Evaluating the cryptocurrency market using behavioral finance perspectives.”
  • “Comparative analysis of financial improvements in China and the US.”
  • “Issues with older adults and online banking.”
  • “Shareholders' effects on the decision-making procedures at banks.”
  • “Unscrupulous bank executives' effects on the organization's sustainability.”
  • “Possible answers to moral problems of corporate social responsibility.”
  • “What impact do taxes have on financial choices?”
  • “The impact of India's population growth on economic expansion.”
  • “Why are banks so adamantly against digital currency?”
  • “What will internet banking resemble in ten years?”

Fashion Topics for Dissertation

An artsy person would appreciate research themes about style, like the following examples:

  • “Is there a need for change after examining the impact of fast fashion on the environment?”
  • “Comparing fast and ultra-fast supply chain management in the fashion industry.”
  • “Critical analysis of the impact of western fashion on Asia's developing nations.”
  • “How capitalism contributed to the western fashion and cultural values.”
  • “Fashion trends that the K-Pop stars create.”
  • “Examining the Vivienne Westwood brand's appeal to Japanese youth.”
  • “The fixation with attempting an adult look in children's clothing.”
  • “The effects of expensive counterfeit goods on the high-end fashion market.”
  • “The origins of the dark and light academic dress trends.”
  • “How social networks contribute to the development and spread of fashion trends.”

In brief, there are plenty of research subjects, from psychology dissertation topics to higher education dissertation topics. If you do proper factual and historical research and cite sources, get ready to receive recognition for your efforts. The key thing is to choose something that lights up your interest.

Also, don't forget to read what is important to look out for when you buy dissertation .

Set Your Dissertation Apart with Unique Topics

Elevate your academic journey with a standout dissertation topic. Our experts are here to help you select a topic that not only intrigues but also contributes significantly to your field of study.

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What to Consider When Deciding on a Dissertation Topic in Education

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Your dissertation is one of the most critical aspects of completing an EdD program. It allows you to contribute novel research to your field, potentially providing a foundation for future academic research. A good dissertation can also inform your career prospects because employers may seek out graduates with specific expertise.

However, the dissertation process is mystifying and stressful for many incoming students. Perhaps that’s why so many graduate students end up leaving school before completing their thesis. At SNU, we understand that dissertations are a common barrier to EdD completion. That’s why we offer intensive support to help our students finish this important piece of scholarship. The dissertation is integrated into the curriculum so you can steadily complete it throughout your SNU tenure, and the process begins with choosing the right topic. Here’s what you should consider while exploring your options:

What Topic Should I Choose for My Dissertation?

A good dissertation topic contributes novel research to the field. So before you begin your research, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with what is already published. The SNU dissertation process begins with your dissertation advisor, who will help you brainstorm topics.

Here are some hallmarks of good dissertation topics:

  • They contribute new and innovative research to the field.
  • They cover a topic people are likely to be interested in. It’s even better if the topic is timely and relevant to current trends in the field. For example, an educator might write about the effects of COVID-19 on early learning and socialization.
  • They are informed by past research. It’s not enough to speculate on what you think might be true. You must conduct a thorough literature review so your topic can build upon ongoing innovation in your field.
  • They anticipate objections and alternative perspectives. Your dissertation will be strongest when you can be charitable to alternative views. Doing so enables you to make a more compelling argument.

How to Choose a Dissertation Topic in Education

The field of education has undergone many changes in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, new economic challenges, and increased awareness of the importance of diversity. These changes have nurtured fertile ground for a wide range of dissertation topics. You may find that the challenge isn’t so much finding a good topic, but finding one that’s relevant to your research interests and talents. Some things to consider when choosing a topic include:

Your Interests

Make sure you choose a topic you are passionate about. You will write better and have more motivation to stick with your dissertation if you’re interested in the topic.

Your Skills and Knowledge

If you’ve already conducted some research in the field or gained career experience, consider building upon those experiences with a related topic. For example, a special education teacher might write about reintegrating neurodivergent students into classroom settings after a year or more of virtual learning.

Your Career Aspirations

Your dissertation topic will not determine your career and is unlikely to limit it. But the right topic may open career doors, particularly if you intend to go into academia or educational research. Can you expand on your topic for the duration of your career? If so, it might be a great choice.

Trends in the Field

The best topic is one you enjoy. However, consider your audience and the larger climate in which you write. What are the current trends in your field? What are people interested in learning more about? If you can answer a question your colleagues are asking, your dissertation will gain a wider audience.

Characteristics of Good Dissertation Topics

As you brainstorm dissertation topics, you will likely come up with some general themes and a few broad topics you would enjoy writing about. Next, it’s time to narrow these topics into a clear and specific dissertation thesis. Some characteristics of good dissertation topics include:

Dissertations either contribute novel research to the field, correct prior research, or expand meaningfully on preexisting research. It’s critical to ensure your topic does not replicate recent research.

Specificity

Your topic must be clear and specific. “How did the pandemic affect children?” is too broad and nonspecific. “Did virtual learning improve kindergarten readiness skills?” offers more specificity.

You should be able to summarize your dissertation topic in a single sentence or question. Otherwise, the topic may be too wide-reaching or lack clarity.

Empirical foundation

Your topic should have a firm empirical foundation. Dissertations are scientific. You must be able to answer a question rather than endlessly speculate.

If your dissertation involves an experiment or research project, it must be well-designed. You will likely need the approval of an institutional review board before conducting research that involves human subjects, especially children.

Struggling to Choose a Dissertation Topic? How to Get Help

The right dissertation topic builds the foundation for years of academic research. So if you’re unsure about your dissertation topic, it’s important to get help early. SNU’s dissertation process uniquely equips you to survey your options, narrow down your topic and choose the right subject.

Here are some signs it’s time to get help:

  • You feel poorly equipped to write about your topic.
  • You can’t boil your topic down to a single sentence or two.
  • You keep finding research that contradicts your original theories or suggests your topic is not viable or interesting.
  • Your literature review is turning up very little or has revealed dissertations with topics substantially similar to your chosen topic.
  • You find your topic boring and are losing motivation.
  • You’re considering changing your dissertation topic.
  • You’re falling behind and not hitting dissertation milestones.

SNU’s Unique Dissertation Process

At many schools, the dissertation process is an independent activity. This might explain why so many students fall behind and complete their studies without completing their dissertation. SNU offers something different. We provide comprehensive dissertation support from the time you enroll through graduation. Much of the writing and research is integrated into your coursework, making your classes more relevant and engaging and ensuring you get help if you run into trouble.

Dissertation Topic FAQs

Students considering a dissertation at SNU should consult the admissions office or a dissertation advisor to get clear and detailed answers to their specific concerns. Some of our most frequently asked dissertation questions include:

  • Can I change my dissertation topic? Yes, but the longer you wait the more time it will add to the process. If you are far into the process, it might be better to take on another research project later rather than shifting your topic.
  • What if my topic is rejected? If your topic is rejected, your dissertation advisor will work with you to refocus your topic or select a new one.
  • What happens at a dissertation defense? A committee will ask you to defend your dissertation research. They may ask about prior research, methodological holes, and the role of your topic in the broader academic field. This is your chance to prove your expertise and demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills.
  • How long does it take to write my dissertation? At SNU, you will begin writing your dissertation during your first semester and continue for the duration of your education. You can finish in as few as 32 months.
  • Do I have to write a dissertation to get an EdD? Yes, the dissertation is integral because a doctoral degree shows that you are an expert in the field. Writing novel research is a part of gaining that expertise.

SNU is committed to helping every student succeed. We balance academic rigor with exceptional support so you can delve deeper into your chosen topic, become a true expert and contribute something of value to the field. We support adult learners with flexible scheduling and online and evening programs. To compare your options and learn more about what we offer, check out our free infographic, “ Choose Your Path: Online vs. On-Campus Education .”

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Dissertation Topics

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  • Updated on  
  • Apr 24, 2023

Dissertation Topics

The final step in a PhD or Master’s course is the submission of a dissertation . A dissertation is a research paper that summarises the research conducted and includes findings either on a question or a topic chosen by the student. It is important as it demonstrates a student’s knowledge of the subject and ability to use research methods to define a topic. Students are required to select a dissertation topic of their choice. Choosing a topic can be confusing so this blog helps you understand how to narrow down a dissertation topic and provides a list of dissertation topics in various disciplines.

This Blog Includes:

Empirical dissertation, non-empirical dissertation, different types of research methods for dissertation, how to choose a dissertation topic, list of dissertation topics subject-wise, economics dissertation topics, mba dissertation topics, medical dissertation topics, arts and humanities dissertation topics, law dissertation topics, science dissertation topics, social science dissertation topics, psychology dissertation topics, dissertation topics in education, what makes a good dissertation topic, types of dissertation.

There are mainly two types of dissertations- empirical and non-empirical. The choice of the dissertation depends mainly on your field of study.

An empirical dissertation involves collecting data and researching through methods where conclusions of the study are strictly drawn from concretely empirical evidence, and therefore “verifiable” evidence. It focuses on collecting and analyzing original data. Students can conduct research using qualitative and quantitative research methods like case studies, surveys, observation, laboratory experiments, and interviews.  Empirical research tests hypotheses in order to arrive at valid research outcomes and assumptions are tested.

A non-empirical dissertation involves the use of theoretical data and working with existing research or other texts, presenting original analysis, and argumentation, but there is no original data. It focuses more on theories, methods, and their implications for educational research. Non-empirical research theorizes the logical assumptions of research variables and assumptions are entirely theorized.

Also Read: Dissertation Topic in Finance

Two types of primary research for the dissertation include qualitative and quantitative research methods:

  • Quantitative Research Methods gather information through numerical data. It is used to quantify opinions, behaviors, or other defined variables. It can be used to study a large group of people. The information is gathered by performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques. Examples of quantitative research methods include surveys, experimental research, correlational research, longitudinal study, cross-sectional, causal-Comparative research, descriptive research, etc
  • Qualitative research methods gather non-numerical data. It is used to find meanings, opinions, or underlying reasons from its subjects.  It is associated with studying human behavior from an informative perspective. It aims at obtaining in-depth details of the problem. Examples of qualitative research methods include case studies, Observational methods, one-on-one interviews, focus groups, text analysis, etc
  • Mixed method research is where quantitative and qualitative methods of research are combined

Also Read: Dissertation vs Thesis

When it comes to choosing a topic for your dissertation, many students find themselves confused. Here are some tips that will help you narrow down a topic for your dissertation:

  • First, check the requirements of your course
  • Since your dissertation and research will take time, probably months, you should select a topic that interests you. 
  • Start by brainstorming and researching your field of study
  • Get inspired by previous students’ work and research
  • Make a list of broad topics you find interesting. Shortlist the one on which you can do research.
  • Narrow down your topic by picking a niche
  • Try to pick something original and a small and specific topic. Remember not to be too vague or too narrow
  • Consider the type of research to want to perform and whether the topic has academic and social relevance
  • Ask your lecturers or supervisor for advice and get your topic approved

Here are all the subject-wise dissertation topics to explore:

  • Comparing the Economies of Developed  vs Developing Countries
  • How Social Networks Contribute to the Growth of the Global Economy
  • Covid-19 Implications on the Economy
  • Consumer Behavior and Eco-Friendly Production
  • Gender Wage Gap: Legislative and Ethical Issues Dealing with Salaries in Developing Countries
  • How China’s Production Influences the Global Economy
  • Micro-financing Institutions and the Level of Poverty in Developing Countries
  • How Oil Consumption Influences Global Economy
  • The impact of local and regional cultures on shaping entrepreneurial economic development.
  • How do habits and routines affect productivity? The case of (an industry).
  • Research to identify the impacts of Coronavirus on banking and the future of banking after the pandemic
  • How Globalization leads to Mergers and International Economic Cooperation
  •  Role of the World Bank in the International Economy
  • Technological innovations and their influence on green and environmental products.
  • Fiscal policy and the global economy: The scope for, and benefits from, international Coordination Fiscal and labor market policies in response to Covid-19 in different countries
  • Is Online Marketing Effective for Technological Startups?
  • How Globalization Impacts Small Business
  • The Specifics of Instagram Marketing and Advertisement Placement
  • Consumer behavior during a recession.
  • Brands Influencing Consumers Buying Behaviors – A Case Study On (Brand/Company)
  • The Influence Of Advertising On Consumer Behavior
  • Evaluation of best HR practices for improving employee commitment
  • Strategies to continually maintain customers’ satisfaction and trust levels in an electronic shopping
  • Surviving political turmoil
  • Digital marketing during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Recent research and responses of various countries for the treatment of COVID-19.
  • Is it good to take antibiotics during the infection of microbes in the human body?
  • Exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals during COVID-19: Establishing policies for best practice.
  • Management of Drug Dependency Programs
  • Detailed assessment of the long-term usage of steroids on the overall health conditions of individuals.
  • Communication and Public Health during the Pandemic
  • Implementation of Modern Recovery Programs in Hospital Care System
  • Challenges in recognizing rare infectious diseases
  • Epidemics versus pandemics
  • Sequelae and effective diabetes management
  • How Capitalism Contributed to the Development of Conceptual Art
  • Shift in Gender Roles in Marvel Comic Books in the Last 20 Years
  • Social Networks’ Impact on Slang Language
  • How has Globalization Influenced Cultural Relativism?
  • New Ethics in a Digital Age
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Something that will allow you to produce “a polished piece of work within a limited amount of time and with a limited amount of cost.” A good dissertation topic seeks to challenge and subdue the existing assumptions and theories. It introduces a new and unique perspective on the status quo. Here are some defining factors of a good dissertation topic:

  • Choose a topic you love to research and unravel
  • A topic that challenges the pre-existing theories in your discipline
  • Seeks practical, philosophical, and social solutions and answers

Hopefully, this blog assisted you in finding out popular dissertation topics. If you require any assistance regarding your application process while enrolling for your further studies, our experts at Leverage Edu are just one click away. Call us anytime at 1800 572 000 for a free counseling session!

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South Korea election issues: Green onions, striking doctors, an alleged sexist jab at a candidate

As South Koreans prepare to vote for a new 300-member parliament next week, many are choosing their livelihoods and other domestic topics as their most important election issues

SEOUL, South Korea -- Soaring prices for green onions and apples. Striking doctors. A politician's allegedly sexist jab at a female candidate. These are among the issues animating voters in South Korea this year.

As South Koreans prepare to vote for a new 300-member parliament next week, many are choosing their livelihoods and other domestic topics as their most important election issues, staying away from traditionally popular agendas like North Korean nuclear threats and the U.S. security commitment.

“I feel drawn to someone who talks about things that can be truly helpful to our neighborhoods,” said Kim Yun-ah, a 45-year-old Seoul officer worker. “I often don’t know when North Korea test-fired missiles.”

Experts say up to about 30% or 40% of South Korea’s 44 million voters are politically neutral and that who they end up supporting will likely determine the results of the April 10 elections.

A look at the upcoming South Korean elections and the issues affecting voters’ sentiments.

South Korea’s conservative-liberal divide is so stark that many voters likely have already determined who they'll vote for according to their party affiliation, rather than by looking at the policies of the candidates in their districts.

But the extreme polarization has led to an expansion of moderates who are fed up with partisan strife and who focus more on livelihoods issues such as prices, jobs and taxes , according to Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership.

Choi estimated that roughly 30% of South Koreas are conservatives, another 30% liberals and the remaining 40% moderates. Other experts put the proportion of moderates at 30%.

“In a nutshell, even if conservatives and liberals intensely bicker over political issues, that won’t influence election results much,” Choi said. “The fate of an election is rather determined by the moderates who silently monitor livelihood issues and decide who to vote for.”

Some observers say liberal opposition parties could retain their majority status, making conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol — whose single five-year term ends in 2027 — an early lame duck. But others note many moderates are still undecided, so it’s too early to predict who would win.

Regardless of the electoral outcome, Yoon's major foreign policy agendas would remain unchanged, such as boosting security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan and taking a tough line on North Korea's nuclear program, experts say.

Yoon got more than he bargained for when he visited a Seoul grocery mall last month to promote government efforts to tame food prices but ended up inviting criticism by talking about the prices of green onions.

Looking at a bundle of green onions with a price tag of 875 won ($0.65) — a temporary discount price offered thanks to a government subsidy — Yoon said that “I’ve been to lots of markets, and I would say 875 won is a reasonable price.”

Meanwhile, the average retail prices of green onions has hovered around 3,000 to 4,000 won ($2.2 to 2.9) in past weeks, reaching some of the highest levels in recent years.

Yoon's throw-away comment has created a mini-crisis for his ruling People Power Party as candidates from the main liberal opposition Democratic Party have brought green onions to election rallies and accused Yoon of underestimating food prices and being out of touch of the reality.

It’s not just green onions. The prices of agricultural products during March increased by more than 20% from the same month last year. The prices of apples increased by nearly 90%, marking the largest one-year-jump since 1980.

Kim Tae-hyung, a 55-year-old moderate liberal, said he's almost decided to vote for a liberal opposition candidate running in his constituency because he believes the Yoon government hasn't done well on economy issues.

But he said Yoon doesn't deserve criticism over his green onion remarks. “Even if he doesn't know the price of green onions, I don't think it matters much as I also didn't know about it," Kim said.

The weekslong strikes by thousands of doctors is another headache for Yoon's party.

The doctors, all medical interns and residents, are protesting against Yoon's push to increase the yearly medical school admission cap by two thirds to create more doctors. They say universities can’t handle such a steep increase in students and that would undermine the country's future medical services, though critics say they simply worry about lower income in the wake of the supply of more doctors.

South Korea has one of the world's fastest-aging populations and its doctors-to-population ratio is among the lowest in the developed world. But efforts to add seats at medical schools is a politically risky project that past governments had already failed to achieve because of similar vehement protests by incumbent doctors and medical students.

Yoon initially enjoyed a rising approval rating over his recruitment plan, but now faces growing calls for a compromise as the doctors' strikes have caused numerous cancelled surgeries at hospitals and other inconveniences for patients.

“We absolutely need to raise the medical school quota. But the government is pushing for its increase in a too steep, abrupt manner that has surprised everyone,” said Lee Chul-seung, a liberal Seoul citizen in his mid-50s.

Fueled by contempt for the other side, the rival parties have spewed highly offensive, abusive language against each other.

When Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party chairman, criticized senior ruling party candidate Na Kyung-won over her alleged pro-Japanese views, he called her “nabe,” a combination of parts of the names of Na and late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon quickly called Lee's comments "extreme misogyny." Nabe in Japanese means pot, whose Korean translation is “naembi" that can be used as a derogatory slang term to refer to a woman with many sex partners. Last month, supporters of Na's liberal rival candidate reportedly spread on social media a poster with a message saying “naembi tastes best when it's trampled on."

Han labelled Lee's past comments as “trash,” drawing rebukes from Lee's party spokesperson who described “Han's mouth” “as ”trash bin."

Also roiling the South Korean election race is former liberal justice minister Cho Kuk, whose newly launched small party is forecast by surveys to win 10-15 seats. Cho was once a rising political star during the government of Yoon's liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, until he faced a slew of scandals that hurt his reformist image and sharply split the nation.

Han called Cho “a shameless petty criminal.” Cho said Han, Yoon and Yoon's wife and first lady Kim Keon Hee “representative people of a criminal group.”

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    1. Develop a topic that will hold your interest. Determine what resources you have available—time, money, people—and choose a topic that isn't too resource-intensive. You'll be spending at least a year on a dissertation (or any large research project), so it has to be compelling enough to keep your attention. 2.

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    A dissertation is a long-form piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by you. It is usually submitted as the final step in order to finish a PhD program. Your dissertation is probably the longest piece of writing you've ever completed. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills, and it can be intimidating ...

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    A doctoral degree is a common path if you want to pursue your academic interests in a rigorous and research-oriented program. Many doctoral programs consist of several years of classes and one or more years of research, culminating in the defense of your dissertation. If you're wondering what a dissertation is or how to choose a direction for such a lofty endeavor, you've come to the right ...

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    Tips for Choosing a Dissertation Topic. 1. Pick a topic you're passionate about. A lot of work goes into your dissertation—from the literature review, where you're conducting a critical analysis of what's been published on your topic, to interviewing stakeholders and actually writing the dissertation itself.

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    Here are some defining factors of a good dissertation topic: Choose a topic you love to research and unravel; A topic that challenges the pre-existing theories in your discipline; Seeks practical, philosophical, and social solutions and answers; Hopefully, this blog assisted you in finding out popular dissertation topics.

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  24. South Korea election issues: Green onions, striking doctors, an alleged

    As South Koreans prepare to vote for a new 300-member parliament next week, many are choosing their livelihoods and other domestic topics as their most important election issues, staying away from ...