How To Choose A Research Topic For A Dissertation Or Thesis (7 Step Method + Examples)

Worried your research topic will turn into a dead end six months from now? Here's how to choose one that will hold up.
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*THE KEY QUESTIONS WE ANSWER IN THIS VIDEO*

*How do I choose a research topic for my dissertation or thesis?*
Seven steps, in order: learn the basics of the research process, find out what your university requires, list the broad areas that interest you, narrow them using past dissertations, read the literature there, generate specific topics and turn them into research questions, then score them and pick from your top three.

*What do I need to check with my university before I start?*
Five things: how original the topic must be, whether your subject area is restricted, whether they want primary data, secondary data or both, whether they expect a particular methodology, and what their ethics rules mean for your field work. Know the rules before you play.

*Should I choose a topic I feel strongly about?*
No. You want intellectual curiosity, not emotional charge. Research something you hold strong beliefs about and you carry your biases in with you. Choose something that keeps you motivated over a long project, but that you can enter with an open mind and accept whatever answer comes.

*How do past dissertations help me narrow down my topic?*
Search your university database using your broad areas as keywords, then skim each title, abstract and introduction. Note how narrow the topics were, how original, and how well justified. That is what your school expects of you. Keep going until four or five broad areas become five tighter ones.

*How much literature should I read before settling on a topic?*
Around twenty of the most relevant and recent articles per niche area. Start with what your own courses referenced, take the top five per area from Google Scholar, and find a recent review article, which gives you the big picture fast. Skim the abstract, introduction and conclusion, then snowball through the references.

*What is FRIN and how do I use it to find a topic?*
FRIN stands for further research is needed. Most journal articles close with a section on what still needs studying, and it is a ready-made source of topic ideas. Its strength is originality: if a recent article by a reputable researcher says research is needed there, the need is real. Its weakness is that the area may not interest you, or may need access you lack.

*Can I research something that has already been studied?*
Yes, with a new contextual lens: a different country, industry or demographic group. Consumer trust is studied heavily, but largely in first-world contexts, so there is an argument for studying it in a developing country. The argument has to be real, though: name what makes the context different, whether cultural, economic or structural.

*How do I evaluate which research topic to choose?*
Score every topic in a spreadsheet against eight criteria: originality, importance, whether there is enough literature without the area being overdone, data access, resource access such as equipment or budget, your data collection skills, your analysis skills, and personal appeal. Tally them and cut to a top three.

*OVERVIEW*
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Step 1: Get the basics of the research process down
03:37 Step 2: Find out what your university requires
06:34 Step 3: List the broad areas that interest you
10:36 Step 4: Narrow down using past dissertations
14:22 Step 5: Read the literature and look for gaps
18:17 Step 6: Three techniques for finding topics
18:54 Technique 1: Mining the further research is needed section
20:41 Technique 2: Testing existing research in a new context
23:18 Technique 3: Brainstorming and mind mapping
25:14 Turning your topics into research questions
26:54 Step 7: Scoring each topic against eight criteria
31:44 Writing an elevator pitch for your top three
34:58 Recap of the seven steps

*FREE RESOURCES*
Research Topic Evaluator - go.gradcoach.com/ajSuB
Dissertation & Thesis Examples (Free Full PDFs) - go.gradcoach.com/ntAm1
Research Topic Mega List - go.gradcoach.com/1afQZ
How to Choose Your Research Topic - go.gradcoach.com/sum4N
The Research Gap (Literature Gap) - go.gradcoach.com/1pzW6
What Is a Research Question? - go.gradcoach.com/3SYvw
How To Write A Research Proposal - youtu.be/eALzUfkQJRU
The Grad Coach Blog - go.gradcoach.com/77Xck

*PREMIUM RESOURCES*
Research Topic 101 (Blueprint) - go.gradcoach.com/Mt9d3

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