So, you’re about to wrap up your degree and it’s time to pick a topic for your dissertation or thesis. Or maybe you’re starting a PhD and need to come up with a solid research idea for your proposal. Either way, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll break down a simple 6-step process that will help you choose a strong research topic.

Follow these steps, and you’ll end up with a focused and well-defined research question.

Your goal isn’t to write a long summary of everything in your field, but to explore an important issue that’s currently being discussed (or should be). Remember, it’s better to focus on a specific research question than a general research topic (we’ll talk more about this in the next steps).

Step 1: Understand the Research Process

It might sound obvious, but many students make the mistake of jumping straight into brainstorming ideas without first understanding the basics of the research process.

Start by reviewing any materials your university or department has given you about what’s expected for your dissertation. This might include the course handbook, online resources, and any in-class instructions. It’s tempting to dive right into choosing a topic, but it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these guidelines first.

There are two main reasons why this step is so important:

1. Know the Basics: Before you start thinking about your research, you need to understand key concepts like research methods, fieldwork, and analysis techniques. If you don’t have a solid grasp of things like quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, you won’t be prepared to develop a strong research idea.

2. Follow Your Department’s Guidelines: Every university or department has specific rules about what they expect from your research. This might include things like originality of the topic, word count, ethical standards, data requirements, and the methodology you use. If you don’t understand these from the start, you could end up wasting time on ideas that won’t work.

So, the very first thing you should do is get familiar with both the research basics and the specific requirements from your institution. This will help you avoid unnecessary setbacks later on.

Step 2: Review Past Dissertations and Theses

If you're not starting a completely new course, you'll have the advantage of many students who have already completed successful dissertations. These past works can be a valuable resource to help guide you in your own research. It’s similar to having access to assignments and essays from earlier students when you were working on your coursework!

Look for well-graded (above 65%) dissertations from previous students in your course. Ideally, focus on more recent ones since university requirements can change over time. You can often find these in your university's online library. Reviewing these dissertations will give you insights into various aspects of research, such as the length of a bibliography, the structure of a literature review, the research methods used, and how these methods support the overall argument.

As you read through these past dissertations, keep these questions in mind:

1. What topics were covered in these dissertations, and how did the authors turn those topics into research questions?

2. How broad or narrow were the topics?

3. Were the topics original? Did they offer new insights, or were they adaptations of existing theories?

4. How well-justified were the topics? Did they seem significant, or were they more informational?

5. How much literature did they incorporate? Was the literature more theoretical or practical?

6. What research methods were used? What types of data did they rely on?

7. How was the data analyzed, and how did it contribute to the discussion of the academic literature?

8. Which dissertations did you find most readable? Why? What made them well-presented?

9. Can you see why these dissertations were successful? Do they follow your university’s guidelines and expectations?

Looking at several dissertations, at least five, and ideally within your field of interest—will give you a clearer idea of the expectations your university has for structure and format. You’ll also see if there’s room for flexibility or if the university has strict guidelines.

Different departments have different preferences. Some may accept creative formats like graphic novels, while others might be open to more fluid, philosophical arguments. On the other hand, many programs require a very strict, standardized structure.

Step 3: Review the Academic Literature

At this point, you should have a good understanding of (1) the research process, (2) your university’s specific guidelines for your dissertation or thesis, and (3) what a strong dissertation looks like. Now, it’s time to start brainstorming ideas. A great way to do this is by reviewing the current academic literature to find gaps where you can contribute something new.

Start the Ideation Process

Where should you begin your search for relevant literature? The best place to start is by reviewing the materials from your own coursework. Your past assignments provide a solid foundation because (1) the literature used is already at a high academic level, and (2) the topics align closely with your course.

Begin by identifying the modules that captured your interest and where you performed well academically (i.e., the ones you earned good grades in). Think about which assignments, essays, or reports you found particularly engaging. Within these areas, were there any topics that stood out to you? For example, in a marketing module, you might have found consumer behavior or organizational trust particularly interesting. Make a list of those topics that both intrigued you and where you excelled academically. It’s important to choose a subject that you’re passionate about, if you’re not genuinely interested, you may struggle to stay motivated throughout the process.

Understand the Current State of Knowledge

Now that you’ve explored your area of interest, the next step is to get a solid grasp of the current research in that field. What you need to figure out is: What are researchers discussing, and what key questions are still left unanswered? These unanswered questions represent great opportunities for you to find a unique and meaningful research topic. A quick review of the literature in your area will give you a good starting point.

Start by reviewing the reading list from your course or simply search for your topics on Google Scholar. Look through 3-5 journal articles published within the last 5 years, each with at least 5 citations (Google Scholar or a citation index will show you the number of times an article has been cited). This will give you a sense of the key research in the field. Also, check if your field has any “annual review” journals that summarize the latest research. These journals can be helpful for quickly getting up to speed with the state of knowledge on a topic.

Start with your course’s reading list and then expand from there. Every journal article will have a reference list at the end. Skim through this list for more relevant articles, and then read those. Keep repeating this process (known as “snowballing”) until you’ve gathered around 20-30 solid articles on your chosen topic.

Absorb, Don’t Hunt

At this point, your goal is to immerse yourself in the existing theories related to your area of interest. This isn’t the time to start searching for research topics just yet. You should focus on familiarizing yourself with the literature first.

As you read, pay attention to the questions other researchers are asking and the methods they are using to answer them. What points do they agree on, and more importantly, where do they disagree? Disagreements within the research community are often the best areas for new exploration. Can you spot different perspectives or methods being used? Have you found your own angle or approach yet? What articles stand out to you as interesting, and which ones leave you feeling confused or disinterested?

Understanding that academic knowledge is part of an ongoing conversation makes the process easier.

Think of it like attending a party. There are several groups chatting about different topics. Which group do you want to join? You don’t want to be the person standing alone, talking to yourself, nor do you want to be the one who just repeats everything the loudest person says.

Do you want to join a larger group and add a small idea to the ongoing discussion, or are you drawn to a smaller group with a more specialized topic, where you might have a better chance of contributing something new? How many discussions can you find? Which ones seem exciting or intriguing to you? Are there any that you don’t quite understand or that feel unappealing?

Once you’ve identified a couple of groups you’d like to join, choose one where you feel you can add value. Your goal is to ask a question that will make others in the group stop and pay attention, one that gets them thinking, “That’s an interesting point.”

Your dissertation will be the process of developing that question and working towards finding an answer. But right now, focus on identifying the conversations happening, understanding their connections, and figuring out where you can step in. I’ll explain how to craft your question in the next step.

Step 4: Identify Possible Research Questions

Now that you have a solid understanding of the existing literature in your chosen area(s), it's time to start generating potential research topics. There are at least three different methods you can use, and these methods can work together.

Approach 1: Use the "Further Research" Section

At the end of most well-written journal articles, you'll find a section labeled "further research" or something similar. In this part, researchers typically highlight areas where additional studies are needed, based on their findings. Essentially, each article gives you a list of potential research opportunities.

Of course, not all of these suggestions will be both practical and interesting to you, so don’t expect to find your research topic immediately. However, this approach has a major advantage: it can lead you to a unique and valuable research idea, especially if you’re working on a PhD-level project.

The benefit of using this method is that it can help you find an original topic. The downside, however, is that the suggested topics might not always align with your personal interests, or you may not have the resources to carry them out. Also, be sure to check the publication dates of the articles you’re looking at, as the research gaps mentioned in older articles may already have been addressed by more recent studies.

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

Another option is to take a well-established theory and explore how it might apply in a specific context, whether that's a particular industry or a local setting. For instance, a theory about the factors that influence trust is widely recognized, but there could be unique drivers of trust within a specific industry, like the financial services sector in an emerging market.

If this industry or local context hasn't been explored much in previous research, and you have a solid reason to believe there may be distinct factors at play, you could offer a fresh perspective on the existing theory. This could lead to a valuable and relevant research topic. However, it's crucial that you have strong evidence to suggest the current theory may not fully apply in your chosen context. Without this justification, your research might lack significance.

The advantage of this approach is that it allows you to focus on a topic that's more relevant to you while still using a well-established theoretical framework. The downside is that it might not offer the same level of originality as the first approach.

Approach 3: Unrestricted Brainstorming

The third approach involves skipping both the “further research” suggestions and industry-specific angles. Instead, dive into a free-form brainstorming session, using the knowledge you’ve gained so far to come up with fresh research ideas. At this stage, it’s important to keep your mind open—don’t worry about how wild or unworkable an idea seems. The key is to write down any topic that grabs your interest, no matter how unconventional it may appear.

After jotting down your ideas, take the next step and transform them into questions or problems to explore. For example:

• How do X, Y, and Z relate to each other?

• What factors drive X?

• What outcomes result from Y?

• What are the key success factors for Z?

Rewrite your list of ideas into specific research questions. You might notice that one topic opens up multiple questions, which can lead to new sub-topics and even entirely new research areas. Allow your list to expand naturally. At this point, don’t focus on evaluating the feasibility of your ideas; just let them flow.

Once you’ve built a list of topics and questions, revisit the literature to see if any of your ideas have already been explored. Since these ideas came directly from your brainstorming, there’s a chance your earlier literature review didn’t cover them. Make sure to check the relevant studies for each idea. You might find that the first two approaches (FRIN and context-based spins) can help build on these new ideas.

Use All Three Approaches

As mentioned before, the three methods outlined aren’t meant to be used separately—they actually work best together. Ideally, you should use all of them. This will help you create a broad list of potential research topics, giving you a good variety to choose from. After that, you can start narrowing down the ideas and evaluating them, which leads us to the next step.

Step 5: Narrow Down and Evaluate

At this point, you should have a solid list of possible topics. It’s time to take a break from brainstorming. Step away from your list for a few days to clear your mind. This pause will help you approach your list with a fresh perspective. The intense idea generation phase is over; now, it's time to critically assess your options.

Look through your list and see if there are any topics you can eliminate immediately. Perhaps you’re no longer interested in one or more of them. Maybe a topic turned out to be too broad, resulting in dozens of hard-to-answer questions. Maybe you found that most of the research on the subject is outdated and might not be relevant anymore. Or perhaps the topic has been covered so much that you wouldn’t have much new to add.

After stepping back, you might also realize that some of your ideas are really variations of the same concept. If that's the case, consider combining these similar topics into one clear and focused research question.

Refining Your Research Topics: Narrowing Down to the Top 5

At this stage, you should have a more refined list of ideas. Now, focus on narrowing it down to the top five that truly spark your interest. Passion for the topic is key during this process. Once you've selected your top five, it's time to evaluate each one using the following criteria:

Research Questions

Think about the main research question for each topic and the supporting sub-questions. Can you clearly define these questions? If you can’t clearly express what you want to explore, then the topic likely needs more refinement. Being able to clearly state your research questions will make the next steps much easier.

Originality

Consider whether the topic meets your university’s originality standards. Can you offer something new or different to the current discussion? While you don’t need to discover a completely novel idea, there should be a fresh angle or perspective that you can explore. Refer to your university’s guidelines to make sure the topic is original enough for your research.

Importance

Ask yourself if the topic is truly significant. Why does it matter? Who will benefit from your research, and in what way? You’ll need to justify why your topic is worth studying in your proposal, so it’s important to have a solid argument for its relevance and impact.

Literature Availability

Check if there’s enough recent academic literature available to support your investigation. A well-established body of research is crucial, but you don’t want to choose a topic that’s too saturated with studies. Ensure that the literature available is manageable and relevant to your research goals.

Data Requirements

Consider what kind of data you’ll need to answer your questions. Will your research require qualitative data, quantitative data, or a mix of both? You don’t need to have every detail of your research design planned out yet, but you should have a general idea of the methods you’ll use.

Feasibility

Assess the practicality of collecting the necessary data within your timeline. Do you have the skills and resources needed to gather and analyze the data? For example, if your research requires a large survey, do you have enough time to plan and conduct it? Be realistic about what you can achieve. Seek advice from your supervisor to ensure the project is manageable, especially when it comes to data collection challenges like response rates.

Personal Interest

On a scale from 1-10, how excited are you about each topic? Will it add value to your personal or professional growth? Consider whether this research aligns with skills you want to develop, such as interview techniques, statistical analysis, or software proficiency. If you’re passionate about the subject, the research process will feel much more rewarding.

The last point is crucial. Working on your dissertation requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication. You'll face challenges along the way, and staying committed is key to finishing it. If you're not excited about the topic from the start, you may end up struggling with things like writer’s block or burnout. This is why personal interest is the most important factor when narrowing down your top 5 topics. However, it’s also important not to let personal interest lead you to choose a topic that isn't relevant to your course or isn’t realistic given your available resources.

Narrow Down to Three, Then Seek Feedback

We’re almost there! The next step is to focus on 2 or 3 potential topics, no more. For each one, write a short paragraph covering the following points:

1. What will this study be about? Frame the topic as a clear question or problem. Think of it as your dissertation title. Keep it concise, no more than two parts and ideally under 15 words (look at good journal articles for examples of effective title styles).

2. Why is this topic interesting and important? What does the academic literature say? Is there a recognized problem or debate in this area? Show that this topic adds something new or fills a gap in existing research.

3. How will you approach this? Explain how you’ll answer the research question. What sub-questions will guide your investigation? What methods will you use, and how confident are you with those methods? Do you have the time and resources to gather the necessary data?

Once you’ve written these paragraphs, share your top choices with a few classmates and, if possible, experts in the field. Explain what you want to research, why it’s original and important, and how you plan to go about it.

Ask them to provide feedback on the following:

• Which topic do they find most interesting and why?

• What potential challenges or issues do they see in carrying out the research?

Take their advice to heart, but don’t rush. Let their feedback sit with you for a day. Then, reflect and make your final choice.

Step 6: Make the Decision (and Stick to It!)

Now, it’s time to commit to your choice. Select the research topic that feels right to you after considering both your thoughts and the feedback you’ve received.

Once you’ve decided, trust your judgment. Don’t second-guess yourself or regret the topics you didn’t choose. You’ve done the groundwork, evaluating the feasibility, reviewing your options, and getting input from others. Now, you’re ready to move forward. Stick with your decision and start working on your research proposal!

Conclusion

In this guide, I’ve outlined a simple 6-step plan to help you find and refine your research topic. To summarize:

1. Understand the fundamentals of academic research and the specific requirements for your dissertation or research project.

2. Review past dissertations from your course to gain insights into potential topics and structures.

3. Begin the idea generation process by exploring existing literature in your field.

4. Identify your possible research questions (topics).

5. Narrow down your options and evaluate them carefully.

6. Make your choice (and don’t look back!)

By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for the next phase, creating your proposal and the first three chapters of your dissertation. But that’s a topic for another post!